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Following the controversial presidential elections on August 9, won by authoritarian leader Aliaksandr Lukashenko, several people died, thousands more were arrested and horrific stories of violence emerged among detainees in prison during the government crackdown. The regime also threatened to start using combat ammunition against protesters.
“The militiaman was near death, and only then did he fire warning shots into the air. Why is that? They have told me that our militiamen have not been willing to kill a neighbor of their village, countryside, resident of their district until now, “Karajev said in an interview with political scientist Aliaksandras Sasnouskis.
According to the minister, during the 26 years of President Lukashenko’s rule, Belarusian law enforcement officers were willing to “act only humanely”, but “a cruel joke was broken”.
“Now the situation has changed, there is a war … Influenced openly and boldly, the lack of impunity and fear are fostered. And we still doubt, “said Karajev.
The head of the Interior Ministry emphasized that he considered his task to convince all the police officers that his life and the well-being of his family depended on “the speed and determination with which he draws his gun and discovers that they are already killing him.”
However, Karajev assured that “combat weapons are used mainly to stop the criminal’s actions when all other methods are exhausted” and stressed that the Belarusian militias use combat ammunition in the end.
The minister recalled that the security forces also have an arsenal of non-lethal weapons: unarmed combat techniques, rubber bands, tear gas, water cannons and handcuffs.
“Lest we be surprised: we are used to being in the West [demonstrantai] chased by water cannons. But for us, the water cannon somehow makes an impact. It’s just painted water to cool the anger a bit, “he said.
According to the minister, it is not said that combat weapons will be used “recklessly against anyone, against peaceful protesters.”
However, according to him, if “a person commits an act of sabotage or terrorism, attacks a militiaman, not only opposes him, but also resorts to violence, it is natural that he should be detained with all his arsenal, from the physical force until the combat arms “.
For the third month in a row, there have been massive protests in Belarus over the presidential elections, of which Lukashenko has been declared the winner since 1994. The opposition and Western democracies consider these elections to be rigged.
Former presidential candidate Sviatlana Cichanouskaya had issued an ultimatum to Minsk, urging the country to strike starting October 26 if Lukashenko did not end the violence against protesters and resigned.
In particular, mass demonstrations usually take place on Sundays, when some 100,000 people take to the streets in Minsk alone. people.
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