Tortures for Anti-Lukashenka Graffiti and Belarusian Language :: Charter'97 :: News

On January 10 in Vorsha a young activist Syarhei Huminski was detained for alleged making anti-Lukashenka graffiti which appeared in the city on December 23-24 in the night. As we have informed, during the interrogation policemen were beating up the young man. Human rights center Viasna learnt about the details of the incident.

The interrogation in the city police department started after 9.30 p.m. The investigator asked the young man to speak Russian. When Syarhei refused, policeman started to curse.

After the activist continued to speak Belarusian, an unknown person in mufti hit him with a fist on the chest. Captain Laryjonau joined him, and they continued to beaten up Huminski. After beating and new demand to speak Russian, a jacket of the detainee was put on him so that the traces of battery were not seen. He was handcuffed. Law enforcers twisted his arms and shouted: “You are to start speaking Russian now, son of the bitch”. They beat hit him on face, in the kidney area and chest. When handcuffs opened, the person in mufti held Huminski and continued to beat him on the back, and captain Laryonau on the face. They continued the torment even more fervently after the young man demanded to invite a lawyer and an interpreter.

Policemen demanded Huminski to confess that he had painted the graffiti. His denial to sign the protocol with confession ended with more blows on the face. The interrogation finished by Syarhei’s signing a document stating that he didn’t know who had made the graffiti.

After this “conversation” with law enforcers the young activist went to a local hospital. Doctor confirmed bodily harm, and called in police, because Huminski was visibly injured. Captain Laryjonau arrived. He had to sign a recommendation for medicolegal investigation.

Syarhei Huminski filed an appeal to Prosecutor and Interior Affairs Minister. He stated that he had been tortured.