Lukashenka s Revenge Nearly Four Years After Mass Protests State Crackdown Still Reshaping Belarus

'Lukashenka's Revenge': Nearly Four Years After Mass Protests, State Crackdown Still Reshaping Belarus

Promoting disobedience in honor of Alexander Krynych, who died in a pretrial detention center in Brest in April, a few days before the start of his trial for "insulting" President Alexander Lukashenko.

Venail Lukashenko: Nearly four years later, communist repression replaced global disobedience, still Bel-Russia

Belarusian opposition diplomat Igor Gretcher was arrested in Minsk on April 18, 2022. He was then detained for two months and charged with "defamation of the President of the Republic of Belarus." For several months he received a provisional ruling, and his lawyer complained about moving his well.

In September 2022, the trial on the glacier began, with the prosecution stating that he had in fact "clearly misrepresented, tarnished and humiliated the honor and ambitions of (Alexander's favorite) Lukashenko." On the fourth day, the presiding judge, Elizabeth Shotsik, handed down a guilty verdict and sentenced Lukashenko to three years in prison.

In February of this year, Glacier had been transferred from Kutuzka in Bobruisk, about 100 kilometers southeast of the capital, to the Minsk Clinic. There, he died on February 20 at the age of 63.

"I met Ihar in the spring of 2023," said Ihar. "He told me that his condition had worsened and that he would not live to the end of his term if he did not receive medical assistance. For example, here is what happened."

Glacier's case is emblematic of the radical composition that has taken place in Belarus since Lukashenko won a landslide victory and a sixth term in the August 2020 elections. The harsh crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators that began on election day has turned into a regime of unchanging intimidation and terror that many observers say is defined by Lukashenko's own sense of humiliation.

"There will probably be no chance to land everyone in Kututka, because there is not enough space," Vladimir Dzhikar said in the past about Belpol internal affairs investigators (a consolidated group of former security officials) who quit in protest against the repression. "We are not talking about 250, 000 or 300, 000 people. At least 2 million more. And then we will start going after those who do not support Lukashenko. Any expression of dissent is tantamount to treason. "This is Lukashenko's revenge, which was actually denied in 2020," Dzhikar concluded.

On March 8, Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya protested in Vilnius, holding a portrait of her imprisoned husband, Shalgei Tsikhanouskaya, and said she had not been able to contact him for 481 days.

Belarusian Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich said the authorities' aim was "to intimidate and humiliate people so that they cannot resist or even think about resisting."

"It's revenge for the horror Lukashenko went through and the fact that people are not at all like he imagined them to be.

"I don't think people will forget this humiliation, this historical trauma, for long," she added.

RFE/RL's Belarus Service interviewed dozens of released prisoners, former intelligence officers, and human rights activists over a six-month period for "Belag Archipelago," a podcast series that describes how Lukashenko's regime has created a pervasive climate of fear by ruthlessly hunting down and prosecuting participants and supporters of the largest anti-government protests in Belarus' history. Watch the full series with English subtitles here.

Belarusian human rights group Viasna said that about 55, 000 people have been convicted since the 2020 presidential election began. At least 4, 500 people have been sentenced to crimes, of which Viasna classifies about 1, 500 as political prisoners. In January 2023, the European Parliament estimated that between 200, 000 and 500, 000 people fled Belarus, a country of 9. 5 million, after the election.

Simply Vulnerable

In August 2020, after the results of a disputed election were announced, hundreds of thousands of people demanded Lukashenko's resignation and new elections, sparking more than three months of pro-democracy demonstrations across the country. Many people claimed that the actual winner was opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanouskaya.

The government responded with a brutal crackdown. Several people were killed, the UN recorded 450 reports of "torture and ill-treatment," "sexual violence and rape with rubber knives" by September 1, 2020, and at least 6. 700 people were killed or detained.

Security officials detain two demonstrators during a protest in Minsk, November 2020.

Nearly four years later, the crackdown continues and dissidents are falling in and out of the hands of law enforcement. On March 8, Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya protested in Vilnius, holding a portrait of her imprisoned husband, Shalgei Tsikhanouskaya, and said she had not been able to contact him for 481 days.

Belarusian Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich said the authorities' aim was "to intimidate and humiliate people so that they cannot resist or even think about resisting."

"It's revenge for the horrors Lukashenko went through and the fact that people are not at all what he imagined them to be.

"I don't think people will forget this humiliation, this historical trauma, for long," she added.

RFE/RL's Belarus Service interviewed dozens of released prisoners, former intelligence officers, and human rights activists over a six-month period for "Belag Archipelago," a podcast series that describes how Lukashenko's regime has created a pervasive climate of fear by ruthlessly hunting down and prosecuting participants and supporters of the largest anti-government protests in Belarus' history. Watch the full series with English subtitles here.

Belarusian human rights group Viasna said that about 55, 000 people have been convicted since the 2020 presidential election began. At least 4, 500 people have been sentenced to crimes, of which Viasna classifies about 1, 500 as political prisoners. In January 2023, the European Parliament estimated that between 200, 000 and 500, 000 people fled Belarus, a country of 9. 5 million, after the election.

Simply Vulnerable

In August 2020, after the results of a disputed election were announced, hundreds of thousands of people demanded Lukashenko's resignation and new elections, sparking more than three months of pro-democracy demonstrations across the country. Many people claimed that the actual winner was opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanouskaya.

The government responded with a brutal crackdown. Several people were killed, the UN recorded 450 reports of "torture and ill-treatment," "sexual violence and rape with rubber knives" by September 1, 2020, and at least 6. 700 people were killed or detained.

Security officials detain two demonstrators during a protest in Minsk, November 2020.

Nearly four years later, the crackdown continues and dissidents are falling in and out of the hands of law enforcement. On March 8, Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya protested in Vilnius, holding a portrait of her imprisoned husband, Shalgei Tsikhanouskaya, and said she had not been able to contact him for 481 days.

Belarusian Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich said the authorities' aim was "to intimidate and humiliate people so that they cannot resist or even think about resisting."

"It's revenge for the horror Lukashenko went through and the fact that people are not at all like he imagined them to be.

"I don't think people will forget this humiliation, this historical trauma, for long," she added.

RFE/RL's Belarus Service interviewed dozens of released prisoners, former intelligence officers, and human rights activists over a six-month period for "Belag Archipelago," a podcast series that describes how Lukashenko's regime has created a pervasive climate of fear by ruthlessly hunting down and prosecuting participants and supporters of the largest anti-government protests in Belarus' history. Watch the full series with English subtitles here.

Belarusian human rights group Viasna said that about 55, 000 people have been convicted since the 2020 presidential election began. At least 4, 500 people have been sentenced to crimes, of which Viasna classifies about 1, 500 as political prisoners. In January 2023, the European Parliament estimated that between 200, 000 and 500, 000 people fled Belarus, a country of 9. 5 million, after the election.

Simply Vulnerable

In August 2020, after the results of a disputed election were announced, hundreds of thousands of people demanded Lukashenko's resignation and new elections, sparking more than three months of pro-democracy demonstrations across the country. Many people claimed that the actual winner was opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanouskaya.

The government responded with a brutal crackdown. Several people were killed, the UN recorded 450 reports of "torture and ill-treatment," "sexual violence and rape with rubber knives" by September 1, 2020, and at least 6. 700 people were killed or detained.

Security officials detain two demonstrators during a protest in Minsk, November 2020.

Nearly four years later, the crackdown continues and dissidents are falling in and out of the hands of law enforcement.

"The doorbell has been ringing for 40 minutes," said Hannah Vishnac in October 2020. "I thought I was going to break the door, so I opened the door. And then they kicked my belly. They began to confiscate and confiscate things."

Vishniac was a volunteer of a driver's 97, a telegram channel that coordinates people with cars to distribute water and other supplies to demonstrations at an untouched event. She was sentenced to prison for two and a half years on charges of "organizing actions against public order and morals."

According to Jihal's text, police by police are a norm.

"Their work is to threaten, break the intentions of detainees, and claim their superiority," he explains. "Once they fall into their hands, there is no law or rights. Everything happens in a closed room, in a van or truck for cars and prisoners. You become a helpless person and obey their whim. ""

Valeria Charamolzava (record photo)

Valeria Shal Namolzuwa, a researcher of Russian tyrant Yosif Stalin's atrocities and one of the developers of the Russian Virtual Museum in Belarus, was detained at home on October 18, 2022. Ta.

They began to find "extremist materials" and began to publish all kinds of books. "They found a red and white umbrella. I tried to prepare, but it's not easy to find everything in a living space that I've been living for 25 years."

Sharnamorzava was sentenced to arrest for two and a half years for two and a half years on charges of "participating in a worldwide turbulence."

I didn't expect to come out. "

The arrest is, for example, by the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the director of the Sanctions and Corruption Measures, and the National Security Committee (KGB).

"Bypol's director, Alexander Azarov, says," I have never heard of KGB's physiological violence or beaten a detainee. They are Lukashenko's "White Color Workers". For example, GUBAZIK workers are a butcher covered with blood to elbows.

Arrested by Gubazik often receives 1 5-day administrative sanctions for "trivial Furigan acts", which is usually due to the accused of "provoking the enforcement officer."

"It will turn into 15 days torture in an inhuman situation," such 15 days.

Former police officer Jehal said that the conditions for maintaining political criminals after 2020 are "uncomfortable as possible." Absolutely intentional. "

Nikolai Zayatsu, who worked for the Kupara National Theater press service in Minsk, was detained in March 2023.

He has a special condition for political offenders, "he told RFE/RL and explained his staying in the infamous Minsque Acacztin prison. "I wasn't allowed to take a shower. I didn't have time to exercise. The surveillance camera was busy. I slept on the floor. I spent about a month on" St. " To be honest, I didn't expect to be able to come out. "

Anastasia Brivenka was first arrested on November 12, 2020 and was sentenced to prison for two and a half years. After the release in 2023, she was arrested again and was housed in Sentina for 30 days.

In January 2021, a sign in Minsk's Prisoner Inspection Office has signed a sign that luggage to prisoners will not be accepted.

"It's terrible for 30 days." The amount of meals is small and not enough. I didn't eat anything at first, but after the second period of 15 days, I ate and ordered supplements. But this was not enough, and I was very thin.

"There are insects." It doesn't turn off the electricity at night. This is a lack of sleep like torture. It is caused twice a day to break the biological rhythm. If it is hot, turn off the air conditioner. If it is cold. I cried many times for Sentona.

Some of the white Russians arrested for opposition to the nation are housed in the first primary detention center of PicCelevsky Castle. Valadarca is the most famous white Russian camera in accommodating the dead and executed by the death sentence.

"There was a former special unit political criminal in our cell," said Oleg Gurjilovic, a Journalist of RSE/RS service, a white Russian RSE/RS service, who spent almost a year in September 2022. 。 "As soon as he appeared, he said he could be in a single camera right away, and was imprisoned. Why? Because he knew he was a former executive. He was taken and met again. Was not

Some kind of food < Span> former police officer Jehar said that the conditions for maintaining political criminals after 2020 are "uncomfortable as possible." Absolutely intentional. "

Nikolai Zayatsu, who worked for the Kupara National Theater press service in Minsk, was detained in March 2023.

He has a special condition for political offenders, "he told RFE/RL and explained his staying in the infamous Minsque Acacztin prison. "I wasn't allowed to take a shower. I didn't have time to exercise. The surveillance camera was busy. I slept on the floor. I spent about a month on" St. " To be honest, I didn't expect to be able to come out. "

Anastasia Brivenka was first arrested on November 12, 2020 and was sentenced to prison for two and a half years. After the release in 2023, she was arrested again and was housed in Sentina for 30 days.

In January 2021, a sign in Minsk's Prisoner Inspection Office has signed a sign that luggage to prisoners will not be accepted.

"It's terrible for 30 days." The amount of meals is small and not enough. I didn't eat anything at first, but after the second period of 15 days, I ate and ordered supplements. But this was not enough, and I was very thin.

"There are insects." It doesn't turn off the electricity at night. This is a lack of sleep like torture. It is caused twice a day to break the biological rhythm. If it is hot, turn off the air conditioner. If it is cold. I cried many times for Sentona.

Some of the white Russians arrested for opposition to the nation are housed in the first primary detention center of PicCelevsky Castle. Valadarca is the most famous white Russian camera in accommodating the dead and executed by the death sentence.

"There was a former special unit political criminal in our cell," said Oleg Gurjilovic, a Journalist of RSE/RS service, a white Russian RSE/RS service, who spent almost a year in September 2022. 。 "As soon as he appeared, he said he could be in a single camera right away, and was imprisoned. Why? Because he knew he was a former executive. He was taken and met again. Was not

Some kind of former food former police officer, Jihal, said that the conditions for maintaining political criminals have been "uncomfortable as possible," after 2020. Absolutely intentional. "

Nikolai Zayatsu, who worked for the Kupara National Theater press service in Minsk, was detained in March 2023.

He has a special condition for political offenders, "he told RFE/RL and explained his staying in the infamous Minsque Acacztin prison. "I wasn't allowed to take a shower. I didn't have time to exercise. The surveillance camera was busy. I slept on the floor. I spent about a month on" St. " To be honest, I didn't expect to be able to come out. "

Anastasia Brivenka was first arrested on November 12, 2020 and was sentenced to prison for two and a half years. After the release in 2023, she was arrested again and was housed in Sentina for 30 days.

In January 2021, a sign in Minsk's Prisoner Inspection Office has signed a sign that luggage to prisoners will not be accepted.

"It's terrible for 30 days." The amount of meals is small and not enough. I didn't eat anything at first, but after the second period of 15 days, I ate and ask for supplements. But this was not enough, and I was very thin.

"There are insects." It doesn't turn off the electricity at night. This is a lack of sleep like torture. It is caused twice a day to break the biological rhythm. If it is hot, turn off the air conditioner. If it is cold. I cried many times for Sentona.

Some of the white Russians arrested for opposition to the nation are housed in the first primary detention center of PicCelevsky Castle. Valadarca is the most famous white Russian camera in accommodating the dead and executed by the death sentence.

"There was a former special unit political criminal in our cell," said Oleg Gurjilovic, a Journalist of RSE/RS service, a white Russian RSE/RS service, who spent almost a year in September 2022. 。 "As soon as he appeared, he said he could be in a single camera right away, and was imprisoned. Why? Because he knew he was a former executive. He was taken and met again. Was not

Certain food

However, most of the arrested in a political case was sentenced to prison sentence, and others were always monitored and humiliated by this sanctions, according to all kinds of domestic arrests and "freedom restrictions". Faced-Faced.

"Until the closure in August 2021, the representative of the NGO supporting the disabled and was arrested by the hostel for about half a year, said Sehei Drazdovsky. There are all means of investigators and people other than lawyers.

Chargehei Dorazdovsky, a former prisoner and a former prisoner (photo is from the material)

"If you violate the standard, you may be strictly punished."

Lawyer Ilya Salei had been arrested for six months from 2020 to 2021.

"In my case, I was arrested for 24 hours." I was not allowed to get out of my living space. Once I lived there, no relatives were together and I had no right to meet. I was not only a lawyer to work as a lawyer, but also to watch the trash.

Alexevich, a Nobel Prize winner, calls such arrests in domestic torture.

Written by Robert Coalson based on reporting from the podcast The Belag Archipelago by RFE/RL's Belarus Service

RFE/RL's Belarus Service

"The arrest is a form of humiliation, but it is a sophisticated method." It's humiliation and ridiculous to be trapped in your own house for six months. "

Anna Sous

Some inmates are called "Chemistry", which require a specific job at an "open" correction facility. This name comes from Russian practices to make these people in the important job of chemical industry. Currently, they are mainly subject to lo w-skilled labor such as group farms. Belarus has 29 similar criminal facilities.

Robert Coalson

Former IT company employee Victor Park Himchik was sentenced to two years of restrictions in the village of Sushiki, about 175 km away from Minsk, in January 2021. He often worked for 18 hours a day as a livestock farmer on a group farm for 300 rubles ($ 90) in Luna.

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Elim Poon - Journalist, Creative Writer

Last modified: 27.08.2024

from a thriving democracy to mainland China's totalitarian system in a few short years. As part of that crackdown, the government arrested Jimmy Lai, the. Millions took to the streets of their towns and cities in a mass outpouring of hope for freedom and justice. crackdown was an indicator of just how worried. Lukashenko has engaged in a broad crackdown on dissent and stepped up retaliation against critics. Share full article.

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