Rights group records at least 16 deaths in Belarus’ crackdown since 2020

November 13, Pozirk. At least 16 people have died in the government crackdown on dissenters in Belarus since the 2020 presidential election, says a recent report by Pravavaja Inicyjatyva rights group.

Three men died from gunshot wounds inflicted by law enforcers, the report noted. Alaksandar Tarajkoŭski in Minsk and Hienadź Šutaŭ in Brest were shot dead during the August 2020 postelection protests, while Andrej Zielcier died a year later in a shootout with the Committee for State Security (KGB) agents who broke into his apartment. Special units of the interior ministry, KGB and defense ministry were reportedly involved in those crimes.

The report also links the death of opposition activist Raman Bandarenka, brutally beaten by unknown men in 2020, to state-sponsored violence.

Politically-motivated persecution was behind the suicides of teenager Dźmitryj Stachoŭski, election commission member Kanstancin Šyšmakoŭ, trade unionist Uładzimir Krysionak and soccer fan Mikita Kryŭcoŭ, Pravavaja Inicyjatyva noted.

At least eight persons died behind bars, including opposition activist Vitold Ašurak, artist Aleś Puškin and blogger Mikałaj Klimovič whose deaths might be linked to the lack of proper medical care. Jailed Dźmitryj Dudojć committed suicide while serving his sentence, while Alaksandar Vichor and Dźmitryj Sarokin died in police custody.

Alena Amelina from Minsk and Siarhiej Ščacinka from Asipovičy, Mahiloŭ region, died from COVID-19 complications after being infected in prison.

Several state agencies and individuals are responsible for these deaths, including Alaksandar Łukašenka, interior and defense ministries, the Investigative Committee and well as courts and judges who imposed the sentences, human rights defenders noted.