Over 30 searches across the country. What is known about the "EHU case" and how to protect yourself and your loved ones

EHU. Illustrative image. Photo: "Nasha Niva"

What is known today

On June 2, mass searches and interrogations took place across the country involving people connected to the university, as well as their relatives. On June 3 and 4, the searches continued. It is known that interrogations and searches are being conducted under articles for "aiding extremist activity" and "financing extremist activity." Currently, human rights defenders are aware of over 30 searches.

Parents are being forced to contact their children studying at EHU and living in Lithuania, so that they withdraw and return to Belarus. They are given up to 10 days to withdraw from the university. Security forces openly state that if their children do not withdraw from EHU, their parents will be detained under a criminal case. It is known that some relatives of students have already been detained.

The KGB is also visiting university graduates – it is known about graduates from 2019 to 2025. They are being demanded to show their diplomas of graduation.

How searches in the "EHU case" are conducted

Two individuals, who introduced themselves as KGB officers, came to the parents of one of the graduates, who live in a large Belarusian city. However, they did not show any documents and refused to state their names and surnames. The parents were immediately made aware that the search was being conducted within the framework of a criminal case for cooperation with an "extremist formation." The reason was their child's graduation after studying at EHU.

The search itself was conducted calmly, and a corresponding protocol was maintained. However, after the operational action was completed, no documents were issued to the parents. The security forces demanded that the graduate electronically send them a copy of the diploma confirming the completion of studies at the university – in such a case, the young man would allegedly avoid punishment.

Павялічыць

Illustrative image. Screenshot from video

What to do?

"Viasna" lawyer Sviatlana Halavnieva notes that not only EHU students but also their parents have fallen under persecution, especially if they paid for their education or simply transferred money to their children to ensure their living in Lithuania.

"The recognition of EHU as an 'extremist formation' and the subsequent persecution of students is a violation of a number of human rights, including the right to education, academic freedom and freedom of expression, as well as standards of fair trial. In general, this is another example of transnational persecution and can be considered a continuation of crimes against humanity," states the "Viasna" lawyer.

Searches

Students, graduates, and their parents face housing searches, interrogations, informal questioning by security forces, phone checks, and intimidation.

"I advise students, if they have not yet been visited, to prepare for this, and also to prepare their parents for possible housing searches and pressure," says Sviatlana.

It is temporarily better not to keep significant amounts of cash and unnecessary phones, tablets in the apartment. It is important to instruct relatives on how to behave during a search. It is important that they provide minimal information during interrogation, or better yet, refuse to answer at all, exercising their right not to testify against their loved ones (Article 27 of the Constitution).

During a search, it is very important not to sign documents without reading them. Ask for time to read them, have a piece of paper and a pen nearby to write down data from the documents (who is conducting the search, which articles are being incriminated). Taking photos is usually prohibited.

Demands to withdraw and return

The lawyer notes that in cases of transnational persecution, when the victim of persecution is outside Belarus, their relatives are threatened with the aim of forcing people to return to the country and admit guilt.

"If the situation is that the student is abroad, and they are demanded to withdraw and return to Belarus – I advise not to comply with such demands. Quite often, security forces look for people they can pressure, and continue to intensify the pressure. No one guarantees that upon return, people will not be forced, for example, to record apology videos.

When it comes to students in Belarus, of course, here one should carefully assess the risks, including possible detention, and make decisions based on this," notes Sviatlana.

Human rights defenders do not recommend teachers, graduates, students, and individuals with any other ties to EHU to return to Belarus.

Demands to bring a diploma

Human rights defenders always advise against bringing evidence to security forces in a potential criminal case against you. Such evidence could be, for example, an EHU diploma, which graduates are now being asked to bring.

Where to seek help?

Legal advice can be obtained via Telegram @zvarot96. Consultations of a different nature or reporting a fact of persecution can be done on the "Viasna" Hotline in Telegram @ViasnaSOS, @SOSViasnа. Also remember about safety rules when interacting with human rights defenders.

"I call on students who are in Lithuania to demand from EHU the protection of their rights, free legal consultations, psychological support, and accompaniment for applications for international protection for students and their relatives who have fallen under persecution," adds Sviatlana Halavnieva.

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