Opposition activist beaten by unknown security guards in Belarus

Kanstantsin Zhukouski, a coordinator of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party in Homel, was detained by the militia at Call of Palessye festival in the village of Lyaskavichy and taken to hospital.

Medical officers diagnosed Zhukouski with “brain concussion”. According to medical officers, the oppositionist has to remain in hospital for 7–10 days, Radio Svaboda reports.

Before being taken to hospital, Kanstantsin Zhukouski told how he had been detained by the militia and guarded to a militia department. Captain Marazenka and mayor Naumik said his appearance was draggled, then they said Kanstantsin’s passport was forged, tehn they stated he resembled a criminal.

Zhukouski was later released. He went to look for Larysa Shchyrakova, the head of Homel-based Talaka youth and cultural association. They came together in Kanstantsins car to take video of people preserving national traditions of Palessye region.

Zhukouski failed to come to the rendezvous point. He was knocked down by some security guards, who began to twist his arms. The activist supposes they were the prime minister’s guards.

“Kanstantsin phoned me and said he was in a militia car. He said they were going to take him to a detention center in the town of Petrykau. I found him, he was in a militia car. He gave me his car key. I didn’t see him later,” Larysa Shchyrakova said.

Officers of the Petrykau militia department said a report over disorderly conduct had been drawn up against Zhukouski. The oppositionist wasn’t thrown behind bars. He complained of headache and was taken to hospital. It’s still unknown how he got brain concussion.