OMON agents used excessive force in detaining a man in violation of his right to liberty and security of person. The man was detained by seven OMON agents. Although he was neither verbally nor physically provocative, the agents brutally beat him up kicking and hitting primarily his upper body and head with truncheons.
Perpetrators
Special Purpose Police Unit OMON
Type of violation
Arbitrary or unlawful arrest and/or detention
Beating
Blows with batons and/or truncheons
Physical assaults (other)
Use of excessive force
International classification of violations
Prohibition of torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
Right to liberty and security of person
Right to Life
EXPLORE CASE
CASE #135
Date
10 / 08 / 2020
City
Minsk
Description
A gas grenade landed on the balcony and exploded. Residents screamed “close balcony doors!”. Another shot captured blasts of stun granades.
Perpetrators
Undefined
Type of violation
Use of excessive force
International classification of violations
Right to Life
Right to protection of property
EXPLORE CASE
CASE #134
Date
10 / 08 / 2020
City
Minsk
Description
The video captured the servicemen advancing on a small group of civilians scattered along the road. There was a series of blasts coming from stun grenades. No signs of violence against the servicemen who stretched across the road moving in Zhudro Street direction.
Perpetrators
Undefined
Type of violation
Use of excessive force
International classification of violations
Right to freedom of peaceful assembly
Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion
Right to Life
EXPLORE CASE
CASE #133
Date
10 / 08 / 2020
City
Minsk
Description
Multiple blasts from stun and tear-gas grenades. The servicemen canvassed the territory. Although the streets looked empty, people’s voices could be heard.
Perpetrators
Undefined
Type of violation
Use of excessive force
Use of stun grenades (close proximity)
International classification of violations
Right to liberty and security of person
Right to Life
EXPLORE CASE
CASE #132
Date
10 / 08 / 2020
City
Minsk
Description
A serviceman jumped out of the black van and started breaking into a white van that had stopped at the ‘red’ light. The other serviceman was already in the vicinity of the white van. The servicemen verbally assaulted the driver and demanded them to open the door.
Perpetrators
Special Purpose Police Unit OMON
Type of violation
Threats (not including death threats)
Use of excessive force
Verbal abuse
International classification of violations
Right to liberty and security of person
Right to Life
Right to protection of property
EXPLORE CASE
CASE #131
Date
12 / 08 / 2020
City
Lida
Description
Riot police in black clothes and helmets shot protestors with rubber bullets while backing off toward a white wagon with no license plate. The police wagon ID 5291 is nearby. Shots and flash light sparks are spotted at the end of the video. No casualties are observed.
Perpetrators
Undefined
Type of violation
Use of excessive force
Use of rubber bullets (close proximity)
Use of stun grenades (close proximity)
International classification of violations
Right to freedom of peaceful assembly
Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion
Right to liberty and security of person
Right to Life
EXPLORE CASE
CASE #130
Date
10 / 08 / 2020
City
Minsk
Description
The мideo was filmed from the building on 5 Dzerzhynskogo prospect. About three dozens male civilians were on a sidewalk with those upfront having formed a chain when a white service bus stopped next to them. 11 people in black uniform jumped out of the bus and started beating the men with truncheons.
Perpetrators
Special Purpose Police Unit OMON
Type of violation
Abduction
Arbitrary or unlawful arrest and/or detention
Beating
Physical assaults (other)
Slapping, kicking or punching
Use of excessive force
International classification of violations
Right to freedom of peaceful assembly
Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion
Right to liberty and security of person
Right to Life
EXPLORE CASE
CASE #129
Date
10 / 08 / 2020
City
Minsk
Description
The victim participated in a protest when a man in a black uniform pushed him onto a paddy wagon (brand “MAZ”). The perpetrator refused to explain the reasons for detention. Although the paddy wagon was empty and seats were available, the victim was forced to kneel on the floor, face down with hands behind his back. Perpetrators kept bringing more detainees.
Perpetrators
Undefined
Type of violation
Arbitrary or unlawful arrest and/or detention
Beating
Forced postures
Physical assaults (other)
Slapping, kicking or punching
Threats (not including death threats)
Use of excessive force
Verbal abuse
International classification of violations
Right to freedom of peaceful assembly
Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion
Right to liberty and security of person
Right to Life
EXPLORE CASE
CASE #128
Date
10 / 08 / 2020
City
Minsk
Description
Video #1 – three men were taken in an unknown direction by OMON. Each serviceman held one man and was led into a silver van. Video #2 – next to a bus station, servicemen abducted a civilian. Two police cars, one is a service#7388.
Perpetrators
Special Purpose Police Unit OMON
The Internal Troops of Belarus
Type of violation
Abduction
Arbitrary or unlawful arrest and/or detention
Physical assaults (other)
Use of excessive force
International classification of violations
Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion
Right to liberty and security of person
Violations of rights of accused persons
EXPLORE CASE
CASE #127
Date
10 / 08 / 2020
City
Minsk
Description
The video captures several units of ordinance (9 military pick-up trucks, an ambulance, a prisoner transport vehicle) moving along an empty street. SOBR agents are seen searching windows by pointing lasers into the windows of residential homes.
Perpetrators
Special Rapid Response Squad SAHR
Type of violation
Threats (Intimidation of population)
Use of excessive force
Use of stun grenades (close proximity)
International classification of violations
Right to freedom of movement
Right to liberty and security of person
Right to Life
Right to protection of property
EXPLORE CASE
CASE #126
Date
09 / 08 / 2020
City
Minsk
Description
Protesters occupied the highway and nearby green zones. They were clapping. At some point, they turned around and rushed away. A voice over explained that “they” (allegedly armed forces) started breaking up protesters. There was smoke coming from the direction of the highway.
Perpetrators
Undefined
Type of violation
Use of excessive force
International classification of violations
Right to freedom of opinion and expression
Right to freedom of peaceful assembly
EXPLORE CASE
CASE #125
Date
11 / 08 / 2020
City
Mahilioŭ / Mogilev
Description
Denis was detained while he was waiting for his wife. The perpetrators forced him into a paddy wagon where they beat him. At a precinct, he was kept in a sports hall, repeatedly beaten and verbally abused as well as refused medical aid, which he only received in prison.
Perpetrators
Special Purpose Police Unit OMON
Type of violation
Arbitrary or unlawful arrest and/or detention
Beating
Cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
Denial of appropriate conditions of detention
Deprivation of medical attention
Physical assaults (other)
Use of excessive force
Verbal abuse
International classification of violations
Prohibition of torture (standalone)
Prohibition of torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
Right to liberty and security of person
Right to Life
Violation of rights of detained or imprisoned persons