Time: 9-14.08.2020

Place/Location: Minsk, Žodzina / Zhodino.

Identity of the victim(s): the victim and his wife were detained near a polling station at Pulichova 15. Testimony #15a

Identity of the perpetrator(s): Personnel of Detention Centre at Akrestsina in Minsk and Žodzina / Zhodino prison

The victim was detained at the polling station and taken to the Temporary Detention Centre at Akrestsina. She was not provided with reasons for her detention. In terms of detention conditions, the cell was overcrowded: 13 people in a 8-bed cell on the first day and 36 people in a 4-bed cell during the following two days. Neither the victim nor the other detainees were provided with legal counsel.

The detainees were subjected to degrading treatment as they were insulted and had cold water poured on them. Furthermore, they were subjected to torture by hunger, absence of air, and sleep deprivation. Girls and women in the cell who needed medical help did not receive the required medical assistance. Two girls/women from the cell reported that they were beaten at the detention center. In terms of due process, the victim and other detainees were brought before a judge on two occasions at the detention center (one judge was from Moskovsky District of Minsk and the second from Frunzensky District). The victim was found guilty of false charges in both cases.

The victim heard other detainees, who had been similarly ill-treated, crying at night and, before being moved to Zhodino, saw that approximately half of the men that were to be transported from the detention center had terrible bruises (many men did not have any clothes except underpants).

The victim and other people were transported to Žodzina / Zhodino prison without documents and their personal belongings. Some females were moved to the prison without a trial.