Riot police commander who oversaw post-election crackdown dismissed

February 5, Pozirk. The Minsk Police Department reports that Dźmitryj Bałaba, 52, has been dismissed as OMON riot police commander after his appointment as chairman of the Dynamo sports society.

At today’s farewell ceremony for Bałaba, Interior Minister Ivan Kubrakoŭ thanked him for his service. “I thank you for everything you’ve done, for your dedication to duty, oath and, most importantly, the collective,” he said.

The police released a video of officers presenting Bałaba a dirk on the parade ground and him saying that it was an exciting moment. He told OMON officers that “difficult service and combat tasks in Minsk and other regions of Belarus” were performed during all years of his service.

Bałaba was elected chairman of Dynamo a week ago. Security Council head Alaksandar Valfovič recommended the colonel for the job with Alaksandar Łukašenka’s consent.

Democratic countries have put Bałaba on sanctions lists for his role in a crackdown on peaceful protesters after the 2020 disputed presidential election.

Also read: Riot police chief elected as chairman of Dynamo sports society