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CASE #442
Date
09 / 08 / 2020
City
Minsk
Perpetrators
  • Special Purpose Police Unit OMON
  • Undefined
Type of violation
  • Cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
  • Use of excessive force
  • Use of prohibited weapons (gas grenade)
  • Use of stun grenades (close proximity)
International classification of violations
  • Prohibition of torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
  • Right to freedom of movement
  • Right to freedom of peaceful assembly
  • Right to liberty and security of person
Description

Time: 22:45

Place/Location: near Minsk Hero City Obelisk

Identity of the victim(s): unknown protesters

Identity of the perpetrator(s): most likely OMON judging by the uniform, but it is not clear from the video

The video was filmed from an outdoor surveillance camera at the intersection of Masherov Avenue and Pobediteley Avenue. 

The video shows a group of protesters pushing back a group of fully-equipped police officers without violence. After retreating to the intersection, the police began to throw stun grenades right into the crowd of protesters, as well as, judging by the amount of smoke remaining at the site of the explosion, smoke grenades. After numerous explosions, protesters started retreating, started holding hands and formed a chain. Police continued to throw grenades into the crowd. At some point, protesters moved back, closer to the police officers who were outnumbered (at least the group that is seen on the video). Some of the protesters went closer and started arguing with the police.

At the end, the crowd moved elsewhere, leaving police officers standing near their truck at the intersection.

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