Psychiatric hospital for performance

A BCD activist, Ales Charkashyn, was taken to Brest psychiatric hospital.

He was taken to hospital from the Leninski district police department after a permanence on the steps of the regional executive committee building.

This information was received from Zmitser Shukhrai, a coordinator of the organising committee to create the Belarusian Christian Democracy party (BCD) in the Brest region, Radio Svaboda reports.



"I called Brest's Leninski district police department. An officer on duty told me no trial was expected so far, because doctors from the psychiatric hospital showed interest in the activist.

Ales was taken for a psychiatric examination. It may take up to three days. If he is found sane, the police will charge him with holding an unsanctioned action. I think it is a provocation organised by the KGB. It's unlikely that police officers called doctors. It was done to put psychological pressure on Ales and discredit him. I can say that Ales Charkashyn is a normal and adequate person. The action was unusual, but a performance is supposed to be unusual," Zmitser Shukhrai says.

Ales Charkashyn held a one-man performance on the steps of the Brest region executive committee. The man chained his hands and poured red paint on them. He then delivered a speech to residents and the city authorities.

Ales Charkashyn said Belarus would meet days turmoil, so everyone should turn to God and repent. He called on the authorities to "stop oppressing and robbing people, otherwise they will bear responsibility for the shed blood."