On 22 August, the My Cell demonstration (or Your Cell, as it’s alternatively referred to in different sources) was held in Minsk’s city centre. It was organised to talk about the horrors recently experienced by peaceful protesters and random passers-by who were arrested.
“Anyone can be thrown in prison, even innocent people walking outside to feed cats in the courtyard, driving a car or going to a local police station to find out where their kids are,” Radio Svaboda reports.
The cases of torture, abuse, and humiliation committed against protesters in police vans, local police stations and detention facilities – especially at Akrescina – have already been compared to the Nazi horrors at Auschwitz.
Released detainees, their friends and acquaintances drew the layout of a cell meant for 6 people. Up to 50 people were crammed in such cells. The same number demonstrators stood within the cell perimeter marked on the pavement tiles. They carried banners describing the physical abuse they suffered and photos displaying their injuries.
To date, the Belarusian Prosecutor’s office has not initiated any investigation against the sadists from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), while Yury Karayeu, Minister of Interior, has only apologised for MIA employees’ crimes.
Moreover, Lukashenko called for such actions by law enforcement officers to be forgiven: “Do not kill them. They’re your people. Even if they made mistakes, forgive them”.
In accordance with Decree No. 305 dated 13 August 2020, over 300 members of security forces were awarded Medals for Impeccable Service (1st class, 2nd class, and 3rd class). The full list of names runs 25 pages.
“The Ministry of Interior stated that the presidential awards for impeccable service are not related to their actions against unsanctioned protests,” TUT.BY reports.