Authorities shocked by popular protests

The chairman of Hrodna regional executive committee menaces to fling riot policemen against protesters.

Today at the meeting in Hrodna regional executive committee, where businessmen had been summoned, the chairman of the regional executive committee Syamyon Shapira (Semen Shapiro) condemned the actions of protesters at Bruzgi (Bruzhi) border crossing point. He explained the necessity to limit the amount of petrol motorists are allowed to take outside the country, by the fact that its production is in fact wasteful for the country, Radio Svaboda informs.

As said by Shapira, 14 persons were detained, though the Interior Ministry has already announced that there were 22 of them. “What happened yesterday are disgraceful dark ages. There are questions, and they are to be solved in the following way: you ask me, and we are to answer. All of us here are normal people, we have from earth, we have not fallen from the skies. We see that you are bringing foreign currency to the economy, your activities have positive effect.”

Listening to the businessmen speaking about problematic issues, the chairman of the regional executive committee observed: “Maybe there was a necessity and need yesterday, to address industrial, everyday and human issues, and some just wanted to disturb the country on purpose, to demonstrate insubordination to the authorities. There is a law: if one person creates a nuisance or problems to another person, organs of power exist for that.”

He continued: “In the beginning of the conversation I told you that today I receive reports that there would be disobedience at some border crossing too. I have said clearly: if traffic would be blocked, I promise, I would not hide behind somebody’s back, no consultations and negotiations; do not summon the governor – riot police would arrive at once, and establish order is to be established!”

“I asked you yesterday – let’s get out of the way, restore the traffic. No! You wanted to clarify something, and some people wanted unrest. Once again, my friends: those who would cause unrest would be punished mercilessly… I have told: let us meet tomorrow. But you did not want, you wanted to create unrest and display your power. Friends, we have one power in the country, it’s the power of the law,” the official was shouting.

The official added: “Yesterday I showed, probably… Maybe I did not have experience, I came to the meeting with you though you are parcel drunk, half of you were drunk…”

These words provoked indignation of he audience.