75 years ago, the Soviet government adopted a decree that ordered to execute prisoners in jails, and in particular, in those of Western Ukraine and Belarus.
A few tens of thousands of members of the so-called espionage and sabotage groups, former landowners and manufacturers were gunned down, as well as the Polish officials and army officers. The vast majority of the killed was Polish citizens, including ethnic Belarusians. According to historians, the mass executions were carried out also in the territory of Belarus, as evidenced by the Belarusian Katyn list. But the Belarusian authorities deny its existence.
March, 5 also coincides with the 62 anniversary of the death of Josef Stalin who was the main initiator of the massacres.
Belsat TV asked the residents of Brest about their attitude to Stalin and whether they want to restore his ‘order’.
English subtitles:
“On the whole, I condemn his deeds as lots of people were killed.”
“But for him, there would have not been such quick victory as we had. He played a big role in gaining it. People leaped into action uttering his name!”
“Someone might have been guilty and deserved being placed into a concentration camp. But he put all in perfect order!”
“He was a world-class criminal, who killed millions of people. His name is not to be re-emerged at all.”
“He was the leader. And perhaps he still remains the leader for many.”
“He won the war, he is a winner. But now we don’t need him. Because we don’t want a war!”
“He was a very cruel leader. Young people might be anaware of what he was. I don’t want his order to return. Our president Lukashenka is his likeness.”
