Riot police chief elected as chairman of Dynamo sports society

January 29, Pozirk. Dźmitryj Bałaba, Minsk’s riot police commander associated with brutality during 2020 post-election protests, has been elected chairman of Dynamo, a Belarusian physical education and sports society.

Since January 2020, the society was headed by Ihar Abiaremka, whose term of office has expired, the interior ministry reported.

Security Council head Alaksandar Valfovič recommended Bałaba, 52, for the job during a meeting of the Dynamo central council. Alaksandar Łukašenka had approved his candidacy, Valfovič said. Those present unanimously voted to approve the appointment.

It is not clear whether Bałaba will remain commander of the OMON riot police.

Democratic countries have added Bałaba to sanctions lists for the suppression of protests and arrests that followed the 2020 disputed election.