Babruisk: detentions on Ancestors’ Commemoration Day
On 2 November Babruisk
residents intended to commemorate ancestors by gathering near a Catholic
cathedral and an Orthodox church, lighting candles and proceeding to a monument
to victims of repressions.
The majority of the action participants came right to the monument, where they
were met by the police, ideologists and people in civvies. The people lit
candles and stood there for some time. The police also kept duty near St. Michael
Cathedral.
Four youngsters – Maryna Ivanova, Artsiom Markhachou and Alena and Dzmitry
Toustsiks were detained after they went out of the cathedral with candles and
headed for the monument.
“Everything was shot on video by an unknown man. I was lead to the police car
rudely, I was pulled by the hand, though I didn’t resist. Police major Andrei
Malakhau was very nervous and shouted at us. At the police station we were
asked where we lived, what we were and what was the purpose of our walk. They
asked even where we bought the candles and how much we paid for them! We
explained that today was the Ancestors’ Day and we wanted to commemorate them. They
drew up violation report, but only three of us signed them,” commented Alena
Toustsik.
The youngsters were kept at the police station in Gogol Street for about an hour and then
were let go.
