Riot police captain: “I shall vote for Sannikov or Ramanchuk”

Minsk riot police officers read independent web-sites and understand that Lukashenka must be ousted.

It has been written by the leader of the United Civil Party Anatol Lyabedzka in his blog at “Belarusian partisan” website. Recently he was hospitalized after his arm was injured during a protest rally.

“We were placed in the same ward at the same time. He was placed to the bed next to me. I have problems with the right hand, and he with the left hand. We both were waiting to be operated by a surgeon. To begin with, we established diplomatic relations. After achieving the immediate goal, we started communication. My neighbour in the hospital ward was called Alyaksandr. He was a heavyset and short-haired man. The results of regular training were visible under his T-shirt. He must be connected with sports, I diagnosed him. I was not mistaken. Alyaksandr had a diploma of the Physical Training Institute. In his turn, my companion identified me rather quickly. It was confirmed by his question: don’t you run in the election? First Alyaksandr asked lots of questions. He listened to me attentively. And in the evening of the same day a thick man came to our ward with oranges. “Hello, captain,” the visitor clasped the hand of the patient in a manner of a wrestler. As it turned out, my neighbour was a riot police captain. The proximity of my usual street sparring partner gave me a queer feeling in the pit of the stomach. They were talking about their life, about training, duties, and commanding officers. The thick man used four-words now and then.

On the next day the captain received a notebook. The task force man had a fair good knowledge of independent informational sources. After having browsed the web, Alyaksandr supposed carefully: “I shall probably vote for Sannikov or Ramanchuk.” By his eyes I could see that the captain was not joking. We continued to talk, about the health system, about general Zakharanka and lieutenant colonel Kazlou, about prices for gas and the size of public utilities bills.

Friday morning a board of doctors wished me to continue recuperation at home. “See you on December 19,” I said to Alyaksandr. “May be,” the captain smiled sadly. And oranges winked at me from his bedside chest. By that time we both will be in good shape. But what kind of a meeting it will be for us?” Anatol Lyabedzka writes.