Russian embassy bombarded with fiery bottles (updated)
The attackers were filmed by the embassy's surveillance cameras.
Unknown people bombarded the building of the Russian Embassy in Minsk with fiery bottles in the evening on August 30.
The incident happened at about 11 p.m. Two bottles with inflammable mixture were thrown at the territory of the Russian Embassy. One of them hit the car parked near the Embassy.
However, the fire was not big so it was extinguished without the help of fire rescuers. According to the information provided by RIA Novosti, no one suffered.
10:10 People who attacked the Russian Embassy filmed by surveillance cameras
Zmitser Lukashuk
Surveillance cameras around the Russian Embassy filmed the criminals who bombarded the territory of the Embassy with fiery bottles in the evening on August 30. This was told by one of the Embassy's employees, to the European Radio for Belarus.
Representative of the Embassy: “Everything has been filmed”.
European Radio for Belarus: “Are the attackers clearly seen?”
Representative of the Embassy: “Yes”.
However, representatives of the Embassy refused to tell how many attackers there had been, as well as refused from any other comments, referring to investigation being conducted at that moment.
Let us remind you that the incident took place approximately at 11 p.m. Two fiery bottles (or one, according to other sources) were thrown at the territory of the Russian Embassy. According to preliminary information, no one suffered.
10:10 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus reproves the terroristic act in the Russian Embassy
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus expressed their worry in connection with the incident at the territory of the Russian Embassy.
"We acquired the information about the incident which took place near the Embassy of the Russian Federation with worry and revolt. This malicious act of hooliganism was aimed against common sense and against Belarusian-Russian relationship, — stated in the special appeal of the Press-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andrej Savinykh.
According to the Press-Secretary, the Belarusian side is hoping the guilty will be strictly punished in accordance with the Law.
10:47 Police: there were two attackers, the case has been initiated
Zmitser Lukashuk
The Russian Embassy was attacked by two people. A criminal case has been initiated upon the fact of the attack. This was informed by the Head of the press-center of the City Administration of Internal Affairs of Minsk City Executive Committee Aliaksandr Lastouski, to the European Radio for Belarus.
Lastouski: “During inspection of the scene of the incident by the operative investigation group of the central district department of internal affairs there was discovered a glass bottle of the scope of 0.33 liters, containing remains of inflammable mixture, as well as remains of a glass bottle with a wick. Now the operative investigation group are still working at the scene of the incident. It is considered that this attack was committed with the aims of hooliganism by two people, personal identification of whom is conducted at the moment. A criminal case in accordance with the Article 339 "Hooliganism" of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus has been initiated”.
According to Lastouski, a Mazda 3 which belonged to the Embassy had been put on fire as a result of this crime. However, there was no great damage, as the fire was duly extinguished by the staff of the special police batallion of the Administration of the Department of Security of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on guarding diplomatic missions and consulate establishments.
He also informed that the records of the surveillance cameras of the Russian Embassy had already been passed to the operative investigation group. However, he refused to tell whether the faces of the attackers were clearly seen and whether they already had "identikit" pictures.
Lastouski: “This information should be kept in secret. We cannot disclaim it, in the interests of investigation. We do not want to inform the possible suspects at which stage we are at the moment with respect to personal identification of the attackers and their arrest”.
The European Radio for Belarus asked whether this attack was a response of certain forces in Belarus to the films shown on the Russian TV-channels, aimed at discrediting the Belarusian leader and the high officials of the country. However, the Head of the press-center of the City Administration of Internal Affairs refused to comment on that.
"The note of the Embassy of the Russian Federation containing information about the incident and request to assist in conducting close investigation was passed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus. I would like to stress that all the competent authorities are already giving such assistance", said the Press-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andrej Savinykh.
Let us remind you, that the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared their reproval of the incident in the Russian Embassy earlier.
12:58 31.08.10 Moscow police increases security of the Belarusian Embassy in Russia
Moscow police provided additional security to the Belarusian Embassy in Moscow. The reason for that, according to RIA "Novosti", became the incident in Minsk.
According to the Head of the public security police of Moscow Viacheslav Kozlov, an operative squad was directed to the Embassy of Belarus.
Let us remind you, that Minsk police has initiated a criminal case in accordance with the Article "hooliganism" and is now identifying the two suspects.
12:58 31.08.10 Moscow police increases security of the Belarusian Embassy in Russia
Moscow police provided additional security to the Belarusian Embassy in Moscow. The reason for that, according to RIA "Novosti", became the incident in Minsk.
According to the Head of the public security police of Moscow Viacheslav Kozlov, an operative squad was directed to the Embassy of Belarus.
Let us remind you, that Minsk police has initiated a criminal case in accordance with the Article "hooliganism" and is now identifying the two suspects.
13:17 31.08.10 Kostka: the Embassy was attacked by special services Kostka: “No one usually jokes with such actions, so the version that this was committed by the citizens, aggravated by the "Godfather', is almost unrealistic. A big game is played at the moment, and if we have a political game at the post-Soviet territory, like Russia and Belarus, then we'll definitely have special services involved, one way or another. If the case is connected with explosions, murders, snipers - the special services are 98-99% likely to stand behind it”.
Alongside with that, he reminded about the scandal with the Estonian diplomat and the detention of the Lithuanian policeman. All these cases, thinks Kostka, are clear signs that it is to someone's advantage now to spoil relationship between Belarus and the neighbouring countries. The fact that it is happening just before the elections shows there is no terrorism, no hooliganism - just clear politics. However, the expert did not clarify who could take advantage of the conflicts.
Shautsou: the Russian Embassy could bhave been attacked by a radical group Shautsou: “Not very long ago, when there were more or less notable demonstrations, there were people in the crowd who hid their faces but were capable of turning a car upside down or of throwing stones at the policemen. They were even proud that they had attended some militarized camps in Belarus or Ukraine. Who knows, what is now left of those people, but we cannot totally deny such version”.
However, Shautsou also admitted that the special services had been closely watching and, in the majority of cases, supervising such radical groups.
As for the version that this could be done by "radicals" from the Belarusian Republican Youth Union, made Shautsou laugh. To his opinion, the Belarusian Republican Youth Union is an organization of young bureaucrats and careerists. They can do nothing more radical than put a sticker onto a garbage bin.
14:24 31.08.10 Suzdaltsau: Russian Embassy was attacked by the Belarusian Republican Youth Union Suzdaltsau: “That's a clear provocation! I don't think nationally-oriented youth would do such a thing. They perfectly understand that today's exacerbation of relations between Minsk and Moscow is the result of the activity of Aliaksandr Lukashenka alone. If it was the deed of nationally-oriented youth, they would have helped Lukashenka. That is why I think that it was the "Belarusian Republican Youth Union". What was the input of Belarusian special services - they know better. We are not connected with special services and don't know how they work. However, I am hunded per cent convinced that it was made upon the order, it wasn't an independent action”.
He is convinced that the case will not be limited by just one protest note of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He says, it is worth to be prepared for "winter" in the relationship.
Photo: web-site of the Russian Federation Embassy in Belarus
Unknown people bombarded the building of the Russian Embassy in Minsk with fiery bottles in the evening on August 30.
The incident happened at about 11 p.m. Two bottles with inflammable mixture were thrown at the territory of the Russian Embassy. One of them hit the car parked near the Embassy.
However, the fire was not big so it was extinguished without the help of fire rescuers. According to the information provided by RIA Novosti, no one suffered.
10:10 People who attacked the Russian Embassy filmed by surveillance cameras
Zmitser Lukashuk
Surveillance cameras around the Russian Embassy filmed the criminals who bombarded the territory of the Embassy with fiery bottles in the evening on August 30. This was told by one of the Embassy's employees, to the European Radio for Belarus.
Representative of the Embassy: “Everything has been filmed”.
European Radio for Belarus: “Are the attackers clearly seen?”
Representative of the Embassy: “Yes”.
However, representatives of the Embassy refused to tell how many attackers there had been, as well as refused from any other comments, referring to investigation being conducted at that moment.
Let us remind you that the incident took place approximately at 11 p.m. Two fiery bottles (or one, according to other sources) were thrown at the territory of the Russian Embassy. According to preliminary information, no one suffered.
10:10 Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus reproves the terroristic act in the Russian Embassy
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus expressed their worry in connection with the incident at the territory of the Russian Embassy.
"We acquired the information about the incident which took place near the Embassy of the Russian Federation with worry and revolt. This malicious act of hooliganism was aimed against common sense and against Belarusian-Russian relationship, — stated in the special appeal of the Press-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andrej Savinykh.
According to the Press-Secretary, the Belarusian side is hoping the guilty will be strictly punished in accordance with the Law.
10:47 Police: there were two attackers, the case has been initiated
Zmitser Lukashuk
The Russian Embassy was attacked by two people. A criminal case has been initiated upon the fact of the attack. This was informed by the Head of the press-center of the City Administration of Internal Affairs of Minsk City Executive Committee Aliaksandr Lastouski, to the European Radio for Belarus.
Lastouski: “During inspection of the scene of the incident by the operative investigation group of the central district department of internal affairs there was discovered a glass bottle of the scope of 0.33 liters, containing remains of inflammable mixture, as well as remains of a glass bottle with a wick. Now the operative investigation group are still working at the scene of the incident. It is considered that this attack was committed with the aims of hooliganism by two people, personal identification of whom is conducted at the moment. A criminal case in accordance with the Article 339 "Hooliganism" of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus has been initiated”.
According to Lastouski, a Mazda 3 which belonged to the Embassy had been put on fire as a result of this crime. However, there was no great damage, as the fire was duly extinguished by the staff of the special police batallion of the Administration of the Department of Security of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on guarding diplomatic missions and consulate establishments.
He also informed that the records of the surveillance cameras of the Russian Embassy had already been passed to the operative investigation group. However, he refused to tell whether the faces of the attackers were clearly seen and whether they already had "identikit" pictures.
Lastouski: “This information should be kept in secret. We cannot disclaim it, in the interests of investigation. We do not want to inform the possible suspects at which stage we are at the moment with respect to personal identification of the attackers and their arrest”.
The European Radio for Belarus asked whether this attack was a response of certain forces in Belarus to the films shown on the Russian TV-channels, aimed at discrediting the Belarusian leader and the high officials of the country. However, the Head of the press-center of the City Administration of Internal Affairs refused to comment on that.
"The note of the Embassy of the Russian Federation containing information about the incident and request to assist in conducting close investigation was passed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus. I would like to stress that all the competent authorities are already giving such assistance", said the Press-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andrej Savinykh.
Let us remind you, that the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared their reproval of the incident in the Russian Embassy earlier.
12:58 31.08.10 Moscow police increases security of the Belarusian Embassy in Russia
Moscow police provided additional security to the Belarusian Embassy in Moscow. The reason for that, according to RIA "Novosti", became the incident in Minsk.
According to the Head of the public security police of Moscow Viacheslav Kozlov, an operative squad was directed to the Embassy of Belarus.
Let us remind you, that Minsk police has initiated a criminal case in accordance with the Article "hooliganism" and is now identifying the two suspects.
12:58 31.08.10 Moscow police increases security of the Belarusian Embassy in Russia
Moscow police provided additional security to the Belarusian Embassy in Moscow. The reason for that, according to RIA "Novosti", became the incident in Minsk.
According to the Head of the public security police of Moscow Viacheslav Kozlov, an operative squad was directed to the Embassy of Belarus.
Let us remind you, that Minsk police has initiated a criminal case in accordance with the Article "hooliganism" and is now identifying the two suspects.
13:17 31.08.10 Kostka: the Embassy was attacked by special services Kostka: “No one usually jokes with such actions, so the version that this was committed by the citizens, aggravated by the "Godfather', is almost unrealistic. A big game is played at the moment, and if we have a political game at the post-Soviet territory, like Russia and Belarus, then we'll definitely have special services involved, one way or another. If the case is connected with explosions, murders, snipers - the special services are 98-99% likely to stand behind it”.
Alongside with that, he reminded about the scandal with the Estonian diplomat and the detention of the Lithuanian policeman. All these cases, thinks Kostka, are clear signs that it is to someone's advantage now to spoil relationship between Belarus and the neighbouring countries. The fact that it is happening just before the elections shows there is no terrorism, no hooliganism - just clear politics. However, the expert did not clarify who could take advantage of the conflicts.
Shautsou: the Russian Embassy could bhave been attacked by a radical group Shautsou: “Not very long ago, when there were more or less notable demonstrations, there were people in the crowd who hid their faces but were capable of turning a car upside down or of throwing stones at the policemen. They were even proud that they had attended some militarized camps in Belarus or Ukraine. Who knows, what is now left of those people, but we cannot totally deny such version”.
However, Shautsou also admitted that the special services had been closely watching and, in the majority of cases, supervising such radical groups.
As for the version that this could be done by "radicals" from the Belarusian Republican Youth Union, made Shautsou laugh. To his opinion, the Belarusian Republican Youth Union is an organization of young bureaucrats and careerists. They can do nothing more radical than put a sticker onto a garbage bin.
14:24 31.08.10 Suzdaltsau: Russian Embassy was attacked by the Belarusian Republican Youth Union Suzdaltsau: “That's a clear provocation! I don't think nationally-oriented youth would do such a thing. They perfectly understand that today's exacerbation of relations between Minsk and Moscow is the result of the activity of Aliaksandr Lukashenka alone. If it was the deed of nationally-oriented youth, they would have helped Lukashenka. That is why I think that it was the "Belarusian Republican Youth Union". What was the input of Belarusian special services - they know better. We are not connected with special services and don't know how they work. However, I am hunded per cent convinced that it was made upon the order, it wasn't an independent action”.
He is convinced that the case will not be limited by just one protest note of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He says, it is worth to be prepared for "winter" in the relationship.
