Vasil Khamutouski: Belarusian Officers Don't Serve Now, They Make Rank

Former goalkeeper of the Belarusian national team has harshly criticized the Belarusian military and punitive forces.

Former goalkeeper of the Belarusian national team and former coach of Dynama Vasil Khamutouski spoke in an interview with well-known Russian soccer blogger Krasava on what he thinks about his colleagues.

- Some players told me that sports directors would call them three times and say: "Well, you do understand everything". That's the phrase I hear all the time - from the power structures, from our managers, - Khamutouski said. - The players were good that they did not waver, only a few signed. But those who signed, I don't blame them, but I won't shake hands with them anymore because it means they signed for violence and what is going on in the country.

The former goalkeeper also spoke harshly about the Belarusian security forces.

- There is a good phrase about officers: "There is to serve, and there is to make rank. Now they are not serving, they are making rank. My father and mother were serving in the police, and in the '90s we were proud that our parents were protecting the law. But now I do not know what they are doing, - he says, as quoted by tut.by. - I will say this not even about myself but about the people I see in our country. People have lost respect [for them]. Nowadays, the police uniform, riot police uniform, military uniform in general - it arouses fear, hatred and anger in people. One has to defend one's own people, but now things are different.