Defendant in “Graffiti artists’ case”: We were threatened not to get out of jail ever

The activists were beaten up, and electric shockers were used against them.

It was said by one of the defendant in the “graffiti artists’ case” Maxim Pyakarski to Viasna human rights centre.

“In the moment of detention, Vadzim Zharomski and one more citizen of the Russian Federation were in a flat, windows in the room were open,” he noted. “We were sitting and talking on everyday topics, and suddenly I noticed that something is dusting down on the window sill. And just in a few seconds a man in a military uniform roped down, he got into the window and produced a pistol, and aimed at us, shouting: “Down everyone!” Right after him one more officer rushed, and he was shouting: “What do you mean? Don’t you like the Soviet power?” We are shocked by the events. After that they started cursing, beating us, using an electric shocker. Some of them opened the door – several more persons burst into the room, and about 10 law enforcers are in the flat already, including investigators.

After that they started psychological pressure, started to beat the confession about making graffiti, we were interrogated immediately in the flat one after another; we were threatened to be thrown into prison.

After that a search in the flat was held, everything was examined thoroughly, literally every sheet of paper. However, attesting witnesses were invited only about 20 minutes after the search started. Then they started to distrain property and seize computers, flash memory sticks, documents, plastic cards. They damaged property in the flat – broke a glass table, for example.

They started to threaten that not only we, but my girlfriend would be put into prison. She was exactly calling me at that moment, and an officer picked up the phone in our presence and summoned her for interrogation by deceit. He said that allegedly I hit a child on a bicycle, and she was to come there as well.

I was not allowed to make phone calls, my rights were violated flagrantly, including the right of defence.

After the search we were handcuffed as prisoners and taken out of the house, landed in a car and taken to the Investigative Committee. There pressure on us continued, we were threatened, interrogated late into the night. We were told that we have reached “the base” and would not get out of jail ever. They were interrogating my girlfriend there as well, they uttered threats and exerted moral coercion.”

We remind that on August 11 five young men were brutally detained as suspects in participation in three criminal cases: making graffiti in Belarusian: “Belarus must be Belarusian” and “Revolution of Consciousness, It Is Near At Hand...", and painting over a social advertising billboard with policemen on it.

On August 20 the Investigative Committee charged Maxim Pyakarski and Vadzim Zharomski with violation of Article 339 Part 2 of the Criminal Code – “Hooliganism committed by a group of persons”. On August 31 they were released on recognizance and after signing a non-disclosure agreement. According to human rights activists, it is illegal to demand to sign an agreement not to disclose materials of preliminary investigation.