Human Rights Defender: If Russian Policemen Wear Uniform Of Belarusian Riot Police, It Will Cause Scandal

The "tourists" at Euro Games can get under the status of an illegal armed group.

Russian law enforcers will be involved in the upcoming major sporting events in Belarus, Interior Minister of Belarus Ihar Shunevich said on September 18.

Solidarity decided to learn about the legality of this statement from a former law enforcement officer, head of the human rights center "Legal Assistance to the Population" Aleh Vouchak.

- In accordance with the Law "On Internal Affairs Bodies" only citizens of Belarus can protect and defend the citizens, society and the state as a whole. We have not legislated anywhere the presence of foreign law enforcement agencies.

In addition, the movement of arms across the border is prohibited.

Aleh Vouchak emphasizes that Russian police do not have the right to use physical force at the territory of Belarus.

- This is a violation of the Constitution, the law on government bodies. For example, an officer from Israel or the US cannot come and protect Belarus. He will be immediately arrested.

According to the expert, Russian policemen who provide order in Belarus can be considered mercenaries.

- I have not heard about such in international practice - inviting foreign specialists to guard events.

Aleh Vouchak draws attention to the fact that Belarus is among the world leaders in terms of the number of force structures. At the same time, the interlocutor of the Solidarity notes that there are reductions in the police, including secret ones.

"They dismiss officers who have half a year to two years left before retirement," Vouchak said. - Probably, the authorities need those who will ruthlessly press people at sports events in case of protest actions.

The expert suggests that political parties respond to Shunevich's statement. He believes that it is needed to appeal to the Constitutional Court, Lukashenka's administration, to the Prosecutor General and to the Parliament: "Explain what this is?"

If a Russian policeman detains a person at Euro Games in Minsk, mayhem may begin, says Vouchak.

- This is not excess of power. People from another state come to establish own order. An illegal armed formation can fall under this status.

If Russian policemen get dressed in the uniform of the Belarusian riot police, there will be a scandal. All the same, sooner or later the information will leak - the cops will rat it out, - the human rights activist is sure.