Minsk resident beaten by police for white-red-white flag on his balcony

Viktar Sharshun from Minsk was taken to the 2nd hospital after being beaten.

Viktar Sharchun was in his flat on February 8 when unknown people rang at the door and said they were from the utility office. It turned out later they were police officers. They didn't introduce themselves and ordered the man to remove a white-red-white flag from his balcony, because the flag was an unregistered symbol, Viasna human rights centre reports.

Viktar Sharshun refused to do so and tried to close the door. The police officers pulled him out of the flat and began to beat. Viktar was handcuffed and taken to the Tsentralny district police department, where he remained until evening. The policemen didn't explain why he was detained. At 21:00, he was taken to Minin Street to undergo an alcohol test returned to the police department again. Viktar felt unwell. He was taken to the 2nd hospital in an ambulance.

The man was charged with violating article 23.4 (failure to obey a legal order of an official) and article 23.5 (insulting an official). He had X-rays on his ribs at the hospital and was allowed to go home.

Viktar Sharshun waits for a trial now. He filed a complaint to the Thsentrlany district prosecutor's office asking to carry out an inquiry into the police's actions and bring the guilty people to justice.

“The policemen's claim that I allegedly violated the legislation by hanging an unregistered symbol on my balcony is ridiculous and illegal, because using unregistered symbols is forbidden only for participants of mass events,” the man says.