In 2020, four people set fire to police buildings and to vehicles in the parking lot of a prosecutor's office[1]. Soon after, they were arrested by border guards while trying to cross the Belarusian-Ukrainian border.
In the first days of their detention, the people were tortured[2]. Eventually, all four took responsibility for carrying out the actions of which they were accused.
After a trial in 2021, they were sentenced to 18 to 20 years in prison[3].
Techniques used
| Name | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Mass surveillance | ||
| Civilian snitches | While trying to cross the Belarusian-Ukrainian border, the people stopped at a shop about 10 kilometers from the border[4]. A shopkeeper called the border guards on them, which led directly to their arrest. | |
| Physical violence | The people were tortured in the first days of their detention[2]. | |