Dmitry Mezentsev
The Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Belarus
Minsk, 9 and 10 August 2020
Charter Vimeo / Vimeo
Three Russian journalists, who had previously been detained in Belarus, were released, said the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Dmitry Mezentsev.
“Now our released colleagues with you Anton Starkov, Dimitri Losenko and Semyon Pegov. Just literally” Mr Mezentsev said the TV channel “Russia 24” (VGTRK). He noted that on Tuesday, August 11, journalists must return to Russia, reports “Interfax”.
At the same time on the website of the Daily Storm reports on the release of detainees in Minsk informed the journalists of this edition of Anton Starkov and Dmitry Lisenko. Also released the project’s Creator WarGonzo semen Pegov.
“Journalists have been detained for a total of about 20 hours. They were kept in a small cell measuring about 25 square meters with bare concrete walls and benches, clean drinking water and food. During this time, they were questioned as witnesses, removing the conversation on video,” – said in the message.
Daily Storm on Monday reported the beating and detention by law enforcement officials during the protests in Minsk its journalists Starkova and Lasenko, as well as the beating and detention of the correspondent of the edition “jellyfish” Maxim Solopova and Creator of the project WarGonzo Seeds Pegova. The location of the process remains unknown.
Presumably, he was taken to the detention facility, “Zhodino” said RBC coordinator of the organization “human Rights Cards” Alexey Pryanishnikov.
“On circumstantial evidence our lawyer knew it. Now one more place in Minsk check, but with greater probability it IVS “Zhodino”. Tomorrow there is to be held the courts in administrative matters. Tactic is quite similar to the actions of the Moscow police, when the big stock – carry on different remote points, keep people, then judge, and so on. Despite the fact that the Embassy intervenes, none of the structures can not confirm anything officially,” said Pryanishnikov. During the detention process was severely beaten.
As told to journalist Anton stark, with Solopower he met while covering the protests in Minsk on the night of August 10, 5 minutes before the arrest. “We were running away from Riot police and tear gas and ran into a dead end, where there was a fence. I turned Maxim, he climbed over the fence. It is the plan then had to help me climb. But in that moment, when he [climbed] with his side of the fence, from the gateway came a large group of Riot police immediately pounced on him. I remember that Maxim managed to kneel, raise hands up and say that he was a journalist. It still knocked, I think, three people and [began to beat him] pretty hard. I even have the video”, – quotes the story of a journalist telegram-channel Meduza Live.
Within seconds the riot police appeared on the other side of the fence, and then the security forces started beating him and other journalists. According to Starkov, the security forces detained foreigners are treated “bad,” more of them “do not beat”. “The others were beaten badly, Belarusians. We have a day there was no drinking water and food,” concluded stark.
According to official representative of Russian foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova, the actions of the Belarusian authorities in relation to Russian journalists were disproportionate. “Yes, journalists have to work, respecting the laws of the host country. And the presence authorization document is a prerequisite for their legal activities. But many of them in good faith requested accreditation in advance by all the rules. It may give them, but now gave with batons on the head. It’s definitely not brotherly. It’s not okay”, she said.
August 9, in Belarus presidential elections were held. According to preliminary results announced on the morning of 10 August by the country’s Central election Commission, Alexander Lukashenko received 80,23% of voters, his main rival from the opposition Svetlana Tikhanovski of 9.9%. The other candidates received less than two percent of the votes, the “against all” was chosen by 6,02% of the voters.
At the headquarters Tikhanovski did not recognize the election results and intend to appeal. According to staff, in all regions of the country voters gave 70% to 90% of the votes for Tikhanovski. The headquarters said it was ready to prolonged protests and demand a peaceful transfer of power.
The evening of August 9 after the close of polling stations across Belarus began large-scale protests in disagreement with the organization of elections and pre-Lukashenko’s victory. The security forces acted harshly against the demonstrators using non-lethal weapons: stun grenades, water cannons, tear gas. Been cases of hitting paddy wagons the crowd.
Human rights activists reported one killed as a result of arrival of the paddy wagon, the interior Ministry deny it. Arrested at least 3000 people (1000 of them – in Minsk). According to the interior Ministry, in clashes injured more than 50 citizens and 39 law enforcement officers.
On the basis of protests initiated 21 criminal case under article 293 (mass riots), part 2 of article 363 (resistance to the employee of internal Affairs bodies, coupled with use of violence or threat of violence), article 364 (violence or threat of application of violence concerning the employee of internal Affairs bodies), part 1 of article 339 (hooliganism), article 342 (organizing and preparing actions grossly violating public order, or active participation in them). To defendants threatens from eight till 15 years of imprisonment. All under the suspicion turned out to be more than 80. They are charged with episodes in Minsk, Brest, Grodno, Gomel, Pinsk, Polatsk, Zhlobin, Lida, Soligorsk, Bobruisk, Slonim, Volkovysk.
Alexander Lukashenko called involved in the suppression of the riots security forces are real patriots. He called the protesters “sheep” controlled from abroad.