{"id":194803,"date":"2026-07-07T18:40:44","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T15:40:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/194803\/"},"modified":"2026-07-07T18:40:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T15:40:46","slug":"slonim-police-trained-to-suppress-protests","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/194803\/","title":{"rendered":"S\u0142onim police trained to suppress protests"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n (Hrodna regional police department's website)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

July 7, Pozirk.<\/em> <\/strong>Police in S\u0142onim, a city of 49,000 residents in the Hrodna region, held a drill to hone their skills in suppressing street protests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Hrodna regional police department, during the exercise, experienced instructors from Hrodna acted as teachers for the local police. Speaking at the event, Kiry\u0142 Han\u010daro\u016d, chief of the regional police department\u2019s riot control unit, played up its importance, describing such training as the police force\u2019s \u201cstrategic task.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIncreased attention was paid to the maneuverability of tactical groups wearing special protective gear,\u201d the report said. \u201cUnder the guidance of riot-control fighters, the guardians of law and order in S\u0142onim honed their skills in using special equipment, including armored shields, until they became automatic. Scenarios of the deployment of combat formations necessary for encircling, containing and breaking up a hypothetical group of violators were modeled in detail.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Police are being trained to prevent a repeat of the 2020 protests, Interior Minister Ivan Kubrako\u016d said during a similar anti-riot drill in Mahilo\u016d on May 27, referring to the massive peaceful demonstrations against alleged fraud in the presidential election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kubrako\u016d stressed that police officers should not hesitate to use firearms \u201cif someone is trying to commit mayhem\u201d against security forces deployed to suppress riots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the interior ministry, during the Mahilo\u016d drill officers practiced making arrests, preventing traffic blockades, stopping a bus carrying \u201cextremist-minded citizens,\u201d neutralizing groups accused of disturbing public order and freeing hostages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One video published by the ministry showed women dressed in white and holding flowers while acting as demonstrators \u2014 imagery reminiscent of the peaceful protests of 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Police conducted a similar drill in Viciebsk on April 23 and 24 and on June 23 and 24, in Mahilo\u016d on May 27, in Baranavi\u010dy, Brest region, on June 4, and in Re\u010dyca, Homiel region, on June 24.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the 2020 post-election protests were largely peaceful, police used brutal force to disperse them and arrest participants. Several protesters were killed, but their deaths have not been investigated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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