Beaten by riot police Young Front leader in grave condition

Young Front leader Zmiter Hvedaruk, who has been beaten recently, is still in grave condition. “Zmiter can speak now, but only in whisper. He can’t walk, because he is too weak and feels giddy. This morning he was X-rayed, as he has large bruise on his face, but, thanks God, he has no jaws and skull fractures,” Katsyaryna Galitskaya said to the Charter’97 press center.

The girl has been staying in the hospital № 9, where Zmiter Hvedaruk was taken to. He was brutally beaten during the demonstration “For Independent Belarus!” held in the Minsk center.

According to Katsyaryna, the doctors ordered not to let anybody in Zmiter’s ward.

Zmiter received a head and brain injury, an abdominal trauma and brain concussion. Besides, he had numerous hematomas. Yesterday's night Zmiter regained senses, but because of pain shock he didn’t feel fingers of his right hand. He can’t walk and complains of severe headache.

It should be reminded that during the rally “For Independent Belarus!” Minsk leader of the Young Front was beaten brutally twice: first time, when Zmiter was hoisting the huge Young Front flag, he was knocked down and beaten by the riot police. And the second time, when police pushed oppositionists out of the square, Zmiter carrying the flag, was stroke to the ground, policemen beat him at kidneys and head, stamped on him. When riot policemen tried to pick him up, Zmiter was already senseless. Then policemen said, “Take your man back” and went away. Common people, who saw that cruel offence, called for emergency.

Zmiter Hvedaruk is in the emergency department of hospital № 9 (Syamashka Str.) He is allowed visitors form 5 to 7 p.m. He will spend there at least 10 days.