Minsk, 16 September 1997 (RFE/RL) - The Executive Director of the Soros Foundation in Minsk says police today took possession of the foundation's office property.
Alyaksandr Antipenka told our correspondent he estimates the value of the seized goods at $3,000. The Soros Foundation was forced to close its premises two weeks ago after being told by the government it owed $3 million in back taxes.
But the foundation, which promotes democratic reforms in ex-Communist states, says it was earlier assured of its tax exempt status by the government. It accuses Belarus President Alyaksandr Lukashenka of launching a campaign to destroy civic society in the former Soviet state.
Alyaksandr Antipenka told our correspondent he estimates the value of the seized goods at $3,000. The Soros Foundation was forced to close its premises two weeks ago after being told by the government it owed $3 million in back taxes.
But the foundation, which promotes democratic reforms in ex-Communist states, says it was earlier assured of its tax exempt status by the government. It accuses Belarus President Alyaksandr Lukashenka of launching a campaign to destroy civic society in the former Soviet state.