The Ice Hockey World Championship might be moved away from Belarus; an investigation has been launched against Baskov; 140th day of protests – Belarusians continue to express their disagreement
27 December 2020 | BYHelp-Mediagroup
The IIHF has started investigating Dmitry Baskov, chairman of the Belarusian Ice Hockey Association
The International Ice Hockey Federation has started investigating Dmitry Baskov, the head coach of Alexander Lukashenko’s hockey team and the chairman of the Belarusian Ice Hockey Association. The Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation (BSSF) has sent a letter with a request to discipline Baskov for actions that tarnish the reputation of hockey as a sport. Baskov is suspected of being an accomplice in the attack on Raman Bandarenka in Minsk together with former MMA fighter Dmitry Shakuta. The victim later died at the hospital from traumatic brain injury. Baskov has been tied to Raman Bandarenka’ death by the published recordings of telephone conversations between Baskov and Shakuta. BSSF also states in its letter that Baskov has been harassing athletes for their civic position and was caught drinking strong alcoholic beverages in front of Olympic logos.
Source: pressball.by
140th day of protests: street protests continue in many cities of Belarus
This time Telegram channels did not publicize large-scale actions yet people still came outside all over Belarus to protest in their neighborhoods, starting at 6 am, at dawn, and staying out until late in the evening. Residents of the Minsk district of Asmalouka held a rally in support of the detained employees of the Press Club Belarus. Protests also took place in other Belarus towns: Baranavichy, Homel, Hrodna, Zhodzina, Zhdanovichy, Zaslaul, Kobryn, Lida, Mahiliou; villages of Siomkava, Sonechny, Tarasava. In some areas, people gathered outside several times. There were not many security officers on the streets this time; they patrolled apartment building courtyards and areas where protest activity had been observed in the past. Volunteers provided the names of 23 people detained during today’s protest marches. This is 10–15 times less than on previous Sundays.
Fasel might move the Ice Hockey World Championship away from Minsk
According to the report by the Swiss information portal watson.ch, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) is actively looking for alternative options to hosting the Ice Hockey World Championship in Belarus. Current top choices are Latvia, Czech Republic and Slovakia. IIHF President René Fasel said that the World Championship will be held in 2021, possibly without spectators. Fasel is currently recovering from coronavirus, and as soon as circumstances permit, will fly to Minsk and have a meeting with Alexander Lukashenko.
A request to move the 2021 Ice Hockey World Championship from Belarus to another country is currently being signed by EU parliamentarians and US Congress members. Yelena Leuchanka, a member of the Free Association of Belarusian Athletes, also wrote an open letter to Rene Fasel.
Source: TASS
For more information on the events of 27 December 2020, please visit Infocenter Free Belarus 2020:
