{"id":190516,"date":"2026-06-04T13:48:14","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T10:48:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/190516\/"},"modified":"2026-06-04T13:48:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T10:48:16","slug":"baranavicy-police-being-trained-to-suppress-protests","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/190516\/","title":{"rendered":"Baranavi\u010dy police being trained to suppress protests"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

June 4, Pozirk.<\/em> <\/strong>Police in Baranavi\u010dy, a city of 170,000 residents in the Brest region, are holding a drill on June 4 to hone their skills in suppressing street protests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The regional police department warned that local residents might see police lights and hear sirens, gunshots and explosions, adding that they should not worry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The exercise is reportedly aimed at enhancing \u201ccombat coordination\u201d while \u201caborting mass disorders.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traffic restrictions will be in place at the center of the city during the drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Police are being trained to prevent a repeat of the 2020 protests, Interior Minister Ivan Kubrako\u016d said during a similar anti-riot drill in Mahilo\u016d on May 27, referring to the massive peaceful demonstrations against alleged fraud in the presidential election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kubrako\u016d stressed that police officers should not hesitate to use firearms \u201cif someone is trying to commit mayhem\u201d against security forces deployed to suppress riots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the interior ministry, during the Mahilo\u016d drill officers practiced making arrests, preventing traffic blockades, stopping a bus carrying \u201cextremist-minded citizens,\u201d neutralizing groups accused of disturbing public order and freeing hostages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One video published by the ministry showed women dressed in white and holding flowers while acting as demonstrators \u2014 imagery reminiscent of the peaceful protests of 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Police conducted a similar drill in Viciebsk on April 23 and 24.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2020 postelection protests were largely peaceful, with participants accusing police of using excessive force to disperse demonstrations and arrest protesters. Several participants were killed, but their deaths have not been investigated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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