Ministry issues warning over viral video of fighting foreigners

April 22, Pozirk. The Belarusian interior ministry has issued a warning after a video of a brawl in Homiel went viral on social media.

“Spreading fake stories on the Internet, which create panic and incite ethnic hatred, is prosecuted by law!” the warning says. The ministry added that the fight involved two Moroccans.

The video gave rise to jokes, with some commenters noting that the fighters must be members of the first group of some 150,000 Pakistani workers that Alaksandar Łukašenka had promised earlier this month to bring to Belarus.

Shortly before the statement came out, a pro-government Telegram channel lashed out at “destructive forces” over these or similar comments.

The Belarusian ruler announced his intention to invite workers from Pakistan on April 11, when he met in Minsk with the Pakistani prime minister. The large number of views and comments posted under the video suggests that his announcement has sparked controversy.

The interior ministry denied speculations associating foreigners with crimes. “Despite a significant increase in the number of guests entering the country, we have not registered an increase in crime involving them.”

The law-enforcement agencies strictly control the entry, exit and stay of foreigners, it said. Measures as harsh as deportation “are applied to any violator of the law.”

The ministry said police had promptly arrived at the fight scene in Homiel, detained those involved and provided medical assistance. Police consider bringing two men to justice and expelling them from the country, it added.

Article 130 of the Belarusian Criminal Code carries a fine, or an arrest, or restriction of freedom for up to five years, or imprisonment for the same term for deliberate actions aimed at inciting racial, ethnic or religious hatred.