Man gets beaten by police for hanging out a white-red-white flag on his balcony

Viktar Sharshun was at home on February 8 when strangers rang the bell. They said that they were communal services workers. In fact, they were policemen. They did not introduce themselves and ordered Sharshun to remove the white-red-white flag from the balcony, claiming it was an unregistered symbol.

The Minsker refused to do it and tried to close the door. The policemen dragged him out of his flat and started beating. Mr. Sharshun was delivered to the Tsentranlny District Police Department of Minsk in handcuffs. He stayed there until night and no one explained him the reason for the detention. The man was taken to Minin Street for an alcohol test in the evening. Then he was brought back to the Tsentralny DPD. He felt bad there and was taken to hospital.

Viktar Sharshun received a report of his detention before leaving for hospital. He was accused of disobedience to an official and of insulting an official on duty (Articles 23.4 and 23.5 of the Code of Administrative Violations). There his chest was X-rayed, after which he was released.

Now Mr. Sharshun is waiting for the court to consider his case. He has also lodged a complaint with the Tsentralny District Prosecutor's Office of Minsk.