Secret ceremony: Belarusian-born awarded for contribution into annexation of Crimea
According to Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, Russia’s Vladimir Putin awarded Belarusian-born Uladzimir Karatkevich for participation in the Crimean campaign.
‘There are even citizens of other countries among ‘secret’ tourists who went to Crimea, eg 26-year-old Belarusian Uladzimir Karatkevich. Judging by photos on his website, he was actively involved in seizing administrative buildings and military units in Crimea, In addition to a presidential citation, a medal of the Defence Ministry was given to him,’ the paper says.
A list containing the names of Russians who had made a good showing dirung the Crimean campaing and were later awarded has been brought to the newspaper’s attention. ‘Some of them were taking part in mass events under the guise of local residents, other had their hands in occupying administrative buildings and military units. Some persons were providing information support in Moscow,’ Novaya Gazeta reports.
Well-known members of party Yedinaya Rossiya (United Russia), bikers, football fans, nationalists and even people have criminal record are among those awarded, the paper states. ‘One of them, being on parole, has recently made an armed raid on an Orthodox church, another is on a federal wanted list.’
‘The decrees [on awards] have never been published but the awarded make no secret of it. The [awarding] event might not have been advertised but they failed to conceal the involvement of some dozens of people,’ Novaya Gazeta says.
