Mass detentions of book publishers and distributors took place in Minsk on February 17–18, Nasha Niva reported. According to the outlet, in some families several people were detained. During searches, phones were checked for everyone present in apartments and offices.
The authors say the searches and detentions “were not isolated or accidental, but systematic and planned.”
“They came to employees of both operating and previously closed publishing houses, to publishing executives as well as ordinary staff. They also targeted entrepreneurs involved in the distribution of books. All those detained have made major contributions to Belarusian culture. What exactly was being sought remains unclear,” the report says.
In previous months, arrests had taken place in several other communities of various types in the capital and in the regions. Based on the information received, the authors note that investigators were looking for evidence of financing from solidarity funds or links with Belarusians abroad.
On Friday, information also emerged that Tekhnologiya, the first private publishing house in Belarus, had suspended its operations.
“For certain reasons, the Tekhnologiya publishing house is not operating,” the company said in a Facebook post.
No further details were disclosed.
