Minsk auhorities fail to okay protest against abuse of conscripts in Belarus army
Minsk city executive committee has not granted its permission for picketing against dedovschina (abuse of new conscripts) in the Belarusian army.
The Social and Christian movement was about to hold a picket on October, 29 near the building of the Ministry of Defense in Minsk.
“Their refusal was anticipated. The official reason for it is the fact that it is illegal to hold mass events at the the venue we chose. But it is hard to imagine any other place to protest against abuse in the army as the MoD surroundings. Moreover, the authorities have repeatedly banned rallies over high-profile cases even at ‘legal’ places. Undemocratic law continues to protect Belarusian officials from the discontent of citizens, which creates the illusion that the nation suppports their actions,” said deputy chairman of the Social and Christian movement Maxim Gatsak.
In early October. the 21-year-old soldier Alyaksandr Korzhych was found hanged in the basement in the territory of a military unit in Pechy, his legs were tied up. According to the family and friends, senior conscripts bullied, battered and tortured the young man to squeeze money out of him. As a result, they allegedly killed him and then faked his suicide. Officers were reportedly aware of the outrageous situation in the unit.
