More Repression in Belarus

Anonymous letter about police preparations for March 19th

On March 14 the Information Company BelaPAN received an anonymous e-mail message telling about preparation of the police forces to possible events in Minsk on March 19. The author of the message – “an officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs” – asked to “treat seriously” stated information.

He writes the following: “All units and sub-units of internal military forces up to 7,500 persons in number from district and regional centers have been brought up to Minsk All emergency plats and subdivisions of fast response, police regiments up to 10,000 people in number. By the order of Minister of Internal Affairs cynologists with dogs trained to attack people have been recalled from objects of protection and directed to Minsk in overall number of 250 dogs. All the armored vehicles of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in overall number of 50 units and special vehicles equipped with water-jets in overall number of 15 units have been shifted to the capital. Depots of the Ministry of Internal Affairs distribute special police means of non-lethal damage purchased in Russia and Ukraine: light-sound grenades “Zarya-1” – 1,000 pieces; asphyxiating grenades “Tayfun”, “Cheremukha” and “Siren” – 700 pieces; cartridges with rubber bullets – 2,500 pieces; new asphyxiating grenades “Tayfun-M” charged with neuroparalytic gas with effect of spontaneous defecation – 200 pieces.”

The unknown author also informs that “position of military and police reserves is determined in basements of the Palace of Republic, the Palace of Culture of Trade Unions, the Museum of the Great Patriotic War, the House of Officers, the Regional Executive Committee, and the Administration of President”, and “military equipment and water-jets will be posted in the courtyards of the Administration of President, the 1st and 2nd buildings of the Ministry of Defense”. The letter states that cynologists with dogs “will be stationed in the building of the Belarusian State Circus and the headquarters of the Anti-Aircraft Defense. Sniper pairs and units of special weapons – 20 groups from the Special Forces and Special units of fast response – will be stationed on roofs of the buildings adjacent to the October square.” The letter said that in the crowd “there will reconnaissance units who will provoke people to activities, violation of law and order and will set a series of explosions in the place of the most numerous gathering of people to provoke panic and turmoil in order to blame the opposition for it and institute criminal proceedings”.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs refuses to comment this information. At the moment the letter is being examined by the heads of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.