Belarusian Activist Cuts His Own Throat

Belarusian Activist Cuts His Own Throat
Belarusian Activist Cuts His Own Throat
A Belarusian activist on Tuesday cut his own throat during a court hearing.

Gatekeepers News reports that the Belarusian activist, Steffan Latypov, who was made to appear in court for allegedly organising protests and resisting arrest, stabbed himself in the neck, during the hearing in Minsk, capital of Belarus.

The 41-year-old is also being charged for fraud, an allegation he also denied, which according to local human rights watchdog Viasna 96, prompted him to stab himself after being reportedly threatened by authorities to plead guilty to charges levelled against him.

Viasna 96 said the activist received alleged threats from authorities against his family if he fails to admit to the charges.

Belarusian Activist Cuts His Own Throat

“Father, after meeting with you, GUBOPiK (Belarusian Interior Ministry’s Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and Corruption) came to me and warned that if I didn’t admit my guilt, then I would be thrown in a cell with hardened criminals and criminal cases would be launched against my relatives and neighbours,” Latypov said according to Viasna 96 before cutting himself.

Gatekeepers News gathered that Latypov has been moved to a detention centre in Minsk after he underwent surgery on Tuesday at the hospital. There was no damage to his vital organs.

Latypov was detained on September 15, 2020, after he reportedly asked for identification from police who were overseeing the painting-over of a political mural in a courtyard in Minsk.

Belarusian opposition leader, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya tweeted on Tuesday about Latypov’s case and called for an end to the country’s “state of terror.”

“He was threatened with the persecution of his family if he didn’t admit himself guilty. This is the result of state terror, repressions, torture in Belarus. We must stop it immediately!”