Belarus protesters tell of bloody police crackdown

Thousands detained amid mass protests after incumbent Lukashenko claims election victory

HUNDREDS of distraught parents have crowded outside a jail in the Belarusian capital Minsk looking for their children after thousands of people were detained during protests after Sunday’s presidential election. Reports have emerged of police brutality.

At least 5,000 were held at protests across Belarus on Sunday night after Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled the country for 26 years, was named winner of the hotly contested vote.

Tens of thousands of peaceful protesters have gathered on the streets of Minsk every night since Sunday, only to meet a vicious police response.

Riot police in full gear have seized people for wearing white wristbands, a symbol of the protests, or for flashing V-signs.

Tatyana, who would not give her last name for fear of reprisals, went to the jail looking for son Dmitry, 22, who vanished on Sunday night while walking home from a birthday party.

She was told 48 hours later that he was in custody, but not his whereabouts or what he was charged with.

“As soon as I get my kid out, I’m coming out to protest,” she said. “They want to force us to love Lukashenko but he’s been in power for 26 years, and we don’t want this any more.”

When an ambulance drove out of the jail, several dozen people jumped on it and started banging on the vehicle, telling the driver to show them the inmate inside or at least give their name.

Dasha Andreyanova, an actress held at a polling station on Sunday, said police vans arrived at the detention centre “one after another all night”.

“Truncheons sounded as loud as applause, and there were screams all around,” she added.”

Ms Andreyanova said detainees were taken to the facility at Okrestina street and made to strip in front of an officer. She said they were held in crowded cells with too little air and starved for two days, before being given biscuits and yoghurt donated by volunteers.

Videos taken over the fences of police stations showed officers hitting detainees, forcing them to their knees, or making them lie face down outside in tightly packed rows. Ms Andreyanova said the police enjoyed inflicting the violence, and added: “Our country is in the hands of a gang.”

Authorities have refused to give any information about the detainees, even to their lawyers. Several people have been put on trial in jail, with judges brought in for closed-doors sessions.

Mikhail Kirillyuk, a lawyer, said police had refused him information about a detainee. He added: “It’s a complete breakdown of the legal system.”