The activist of the civil campaign “European Belarus” Andrei Mouchan was arrested on 19 May when he unfurled the national white-red-white flag and marched down the street in solidarity with the hunger-striker Siarhei Kavalenka. The activist did not shout any slogans.

A few minutes later a police car drove up to him and the policemen requested Mouchan to follow them. The activist asked about the reason for his detention, which resulted in police officers’ forcibly pushing him into the car without explaining anything. Andrei resisted, and the police used brute force. While he was being beaten on the street, the second car drove up. Andrei was pushed into the police car and handcuffed. The beating continued in the car. According to a preliminary medical examination, Mouchan suffered traumatic brain injury, fractured jaw and ribs, damaged kidneys and legs.

While at the police station, the activist was informed that he would face criminal charges for insulting the president and assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty.

At the present moment Andrei stays in hospital. “I could not sleep at night. Now I feel a little better. But I still have a headache and everything else hurts, too. The doctors saw me today during ward round. They told me that examination of head is needed “, Mouchan commented on his condition.

Policemen are to answer for their actions
Pavel Yukhnevich, the coordinator of the civil campaign “European Belarus”, believes that no criminal charges will be brought against Andrei Mouchan. According to Yukhnevich, police detained the activist with too much brutality, and now they probably have to give explanations to the prosecutor’s office. So they will try to “forget” about the incident. Pavel Yukhnevich stressed that an examination was conducted, which confirmed that at the time of arrest Mouchan was sober.

A spokesman of Minsk city police Aliaksandr Lastouski claimed to have “no information” regarding Mouchan’s case.

After being discharged from the hospital, Andrei Mouchan is planning to undergo a medical examination for the bodily harm. The young man also intends to file a complaint with the prosecutor’s office for the police use of excessive force.

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