News on the topic: torture
10.07.2013 Former presidential candidate Uladzimir Niakliayeu initiated a criminal case against offenders
The hearings concerning the beating of presidential candidate Uladzimir Niakliayeu on the Election Day, 19 December 2010, will start at the Tsentralny District Court of Minsk on 10 July.
21.06.2013 3 policemen face charges after “physical violence” report in Krychau
Three employees of Krychau district police department are suspected of using physical violence in the premises of the police station, the Volny Horad independent newspaper reports.
18.06.2013 KGB and Interior Ministry launch probe into “physical violence” by Krychau police
According to the Krychau-based Volny Horad independent newspaper, the Interior Security Department of the Ministry of the Interior, as well as the KGB’s regional office, have launched an investigation into physical violence reportedly used by policemen at Krychau district police department.
08.06.2013 Kalinkavichy District Court punishes UCP activist Dzianis Rabianok with a fine
On 7 June the hearings on the administrative case against the activist of the United Civil Party Dzianis Rabianok finished at the Kalinkavichy District Court. He was found guilty of causing bodily injury (art.9.1 CAO) and punished with a fine of 1 million rubles.
24.04.2013 Law enforcement authorities stubbornly ignore complaints by beaten woman
More than two years have passed since Alesia Sadouskaya, a young mother from the town of Maladechna, was reportedly beaten by policemen. Mrs. Sadouskaya went through the courts of all levels – from the district court to the Supreme Court. She submitted statements to all levels of law enforcement agencies – district, regional and national. However, the authorities stubbornly ignore her statements and arguments.
12.04.2013 Public viewing and discussion on film "Torture in Belarus. Apocalypsis"
On 15 April the Lithuanian cinema festival "Inconvenient Cinema" and the Belarusian Human Rights House invite all interested persons to the opening view of a documentary about tortures and cases of cruel and inhumane treatment of citizens by law-enforcement officers, and the following discussion with the film producer and its heroes.
22.03.2013 BCD activist faces obstacles in proving torture report
As previously reported, on 21 April 2012 Slonim police detained local activist of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party Volha Pansevich. During arrest, she was badly beaten and then forced into a car and taken to the police station, where she was charged with two administrative violations – disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. The activist was held in the detention center for three days, where police officers reportedly tortured her, beating the woman and using the so-called “lastochka” (“swallow”), the Human rights activists against torture campaign reports.
16.03.2013 Pavel Seviarynets: “Police brutality is commonplace in Belarus...”
The International Day Against Police Brutality is celebrated worldwide on 15 March, but not in Belarus. It is not common to speak about police brutality. According to political prisoner Pavel Seviarynets, co-chairman of the Belarusian Christian Democracy, we have as a commonplace, rather than the exception.
06.03.2013 Criminal case brought against five Lida policemen
A criminal case under Article 426, part 2 (abuse of authority or duty powers, committed by an official holding a responsible position, or which ensued grave consequences, or deliberate commitment by a duty official of actions which evidently exceed the rights and powers, given to them at service, accompanied with violence, suffering or insult of the victim, or the use of arms and police gear."
04.03.2013 Case of Shkurko brothers. Police looking for Andrei Bandarenka
The police started paying a special attention to the human rights activist after he distributed information about the alleged torture of the Shkurko brothers at Lida District Police Department.
15.02.2013 No criminal case on battery of Yuliya Stsiapanava
The Frunzenski District Police Department of Minsk refused to bring a criminal case concerning the assault and battery of the activist of the "European Belarus" Yuliya Stsiapanava.
05.02.2013 Prosecutor initiates a criminal case concerning assault and battery of BPF activist
Having considered the materials of a check-up concerning the infliction of bodily injuries to an activist of the Belarusian Popular Front Party Aliaksei Hudzilin, the prosecutor of the Pershamaiski District Court of Vitsebsk, senior justice advisor Yury Ramanouski decided to bring a criminal case under Article 153.
29.01.2013 Human rights defenders petition President to demand unbiased assessment of police-related violence case
The private cultural and educational institution “Platforma Innovation” addressed President Aliaksandr Lukashenka with an open letter, demanding an unbiased and fair investigation into the case of alleged beating a guard of a Minsk-based parking lot Vasil Sarochyk by policemen, the BelaPAN news agency reports.
24.01.2013 Victim of violence still seeking prosecution of police officer
Sviatlana Viarheichyk was detained during a silent protest in 2011. She was then charged with alleged disorderly conduct. The lady was taken to Minsk Partyzanski District Police Department, where she was reportedly beaten by the department’s then-deputy chief A. Pazniak.
14.01.2013 Night assault on "European Belarus" activist Yuliya Stsiapanava
At about 1 a.m. on 14 January two unidentified people assaulted an activist of the "European Belarus" Yuliya Stsiapanava. They threw her in snow and cut her hair.
