Belarusian investigators release video showing shootout which killed two in Minsk

Record ID: 1639175

  • Title: Belarusian investigators release video showing shootout which killed two in Minsk
  • Date: 29th September 2021
  • Summary: INTERNET (SEPTEMBER 29, 2021) (REUTERS) (MUTE) VARIOUS OF STATEMENT ON OFFICIAL BELARUS SECURITY SERVICE KGB WEBSITE, HIGHLIGHTED TEXT READING (Russian): "During a special operation to investigate addresses where people involved in terrorist activities could be found, a particularly dangerous criminal opened fire on law enforcement officers with a shotgun in one of the apartments in an apartment building, as a result, an employee of the State Security Committee was fatally wounded."
  • Embargoed: 13th October 2021 11:24
  • Keywords: Belarus KGB arrest detention gun killed shooting video
  • Location: MINSK, BELARUS/ INTERNET
  • City: MINSK, BELARUS/ INTERNET
  • Country: Belarus
  • Topics: Europe,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA003EWRVXVR
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES IN LINE 1
    REUTERS COULD NOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE STATEMENT OR FOOTAGE OF THE INCIDENT
    Belarusian security forces shot dead a 31-year-old man, identified by the pro-democracy opposition as an IT worker with U.S. company EPAM Systems, during a raid on Tuesday (September 28) at an apartment block in the capital Minsk.
    The man had opened fire against the security forces, one of whom also died, the KGB security service said in a statement. It also said his wife had been arrested.
    The Investigative Committee of Belarus, which investigates major crimes, said a 31-year-old man was "liquidated with return fire" after resisting law enforcement officers. Reuters could not independently verify the statements or footage of the incident that was aired on Belarusian state television.
    EPAM declined immediate comment.
    Forces loyal to President Alexander Lukashenko unleashed a violent crackdown on protests following a disputed election last year, including searches of apartment blocks where they believed protesters were hiding.
    In power since 1994, Lukashenko has defied Western sanctions and opposition calls to step down and described the protesters as criminals bent on the violent uprising.
    The IT industry - mainly housed in a state-run technology park on the outskirts of Minsk - was a driving force behind the protests. EPAM's Belarusian founder was a signatory to an open letter calling for the release of prisoners and new elections.
    Footage shown on state television showed plainclothes officers breaking down an apartment door and a man firing at them as they entered.
    "In response to the lawful demands of law enforcement officers, a 31-year-old resident of Minsk refused to open the door of the apartment and was locked inside it. For the subsequent so-called 'hype', he was filming," the Investigative Committee of Belarus said in a statement.
    "Given the nature of the violence used, armed resistance from a 31-year-old man, he was liquidated with return fire."
    (Production: Dmitry Turlyun)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2021. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains computer game or software screenshots. User is responsible for obtaining additional clearances before publishing this clip.
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