Orsha authorities declare war on informal hangouts
Public lecture on human rights in Vitsebsk, 10 December 2012
The
number of police officers in the old Orsha site was probably
sufficient to detain a professional armed gang. However, as it turned
out, the police held a special operation against members of informal
youth groups who used to hang out there.
The
old town cite has been the place of informal gatherings for about 40
years. Usually up to several dozens of long-haired people with
guitars or without them could be seen there in the evening. They
didn't cause any serious problems, but left cigarette butts, empty
bottles and similar garbage after themselves.
The local
authorities decided to solve the problem by holding a raid on the
"informals". The police ringed them, searched their bags
and pockets. Six people were detained without explanation of the
reasons, all others were ordered to leave the territory of the site.
The police didn't hide they were implementing an order of Orsha
major.
