In the spring of 2017, many civil society activists, journalists, human rights activists faced detentions and arrests. Taking the opportunity, we decided to find out about the temporary detention facilities (IVS) of the Vitebsk region and to make a series of materials about the living conditions of people in these institutions. In the next part of our cycle, Viktor Stukov tells about his experience in the IVS.
Unlike our other heroes, the chairman of the Free Trade Union cell at the Połacak-Steklovolokno enterprise Viktor Stukov was not subjected to administrative arrest. Nevertheless, he has something to tell about the IVS.
Victor was detained preventively on the eve of Freedom Day. In the office of the organization of the Free Trade Union, a search was conducted, and a report was made for the trade union leader for allegedly petty hooliganism. In anticipation of the trial from 22:00 on March 24 until 8:00 on March 27, Mr. Stukov held in the IVS Połacak.
After a standard screening procedure with a strip and search at 22:00, I was placed in camera number 1, designed for six people. In the cell, I was the ninth guest. But by the second hour of the night three people left the cell, and we were left with six. For two and a half days someone came out, and a new guest was immediately placed in his place.
In the temporary detention center in Połacak there are about 15 cells, designed for a different number of sittels. Chambers No. 1 and No. 7 for administratively detained citizens measure three by six meters.
Six beds are located in two tiers along the far wall with two small windows and heating batteries.
Windows – with one glass, open inside the camera. Outside the windows there is a lattice of iron fine mesh.
In the cell there is a small table attached to the wall and a bench for one person. Two old bedside tables.
In the corner, to the right of the door, on the pedestal – a station toilet. Above it is a curved iron pipe with a tap for draining water. The same place is used as a washstand. They also take water for drinking. From the chamber this bathroom is fenced off by a small brick wall meter per meter.
The camera lights constantly and a video camera is placed above the door, there is ventilation.
Smoking in the cell is not prohibited. Smoked everything, so the window was kept constantly open. I did not give out clean bed linen – I enjoyed what was in the cell: old knocked-down mattresses, old thin blankets, pillows and white sheets that someone had once made up.
The cell was cool, everyone slept without undressing, they covered themselves with their jackets.
Power was transferred to the camera through the window in the door according to the schedule, which is posted on the wall of the camera. The ascent is at 6:00. Then cleaning, morning procedures and checking of detainees – from 7 to 8 hours. During the inspection, everyone was taken out of the cell into the corridor, searched, examined the camera, one could ask questions. Breakfast – from 8:30 to 9:30, lunch – from 12:00 to 14:00, dinner with boiling water – from 20:00 to 21:00, call-off – at 22:00.
The food was always cold. In the chamber there were no bowls, so they used polyethylene boxes from food. Spoons were also missing, using broken remains from two disposable spoons. In general, the conditions there are unsanitary, in the Spartan style.
After my release, I wrote a complaint about the conditions of detention. Here is what the Deputy Chief of the Public Security Police Igor Skarinovich replied to her [cited with preservation of the original style – Ed.]:
"...Bed linen is changed weekly after taking a shower ... Personal hygiene products are issued in accordance with the rules for providing personal hygiene products to persons held in custody. The bathroom is in good condition and can not be an obstacle to correcting natural needs.
Citizens held in custody are provided with free food sufficient to maintain health and strength, according to the norms established by the Government of the Republic of Belarus. Food for detainees is issued three times a day. The number of sets of tableware corresponds to the number of people in the cell. Preparation and delivery of food for those who are in IVS, under the agreement of 30.03.2015 is engaged in the Połacak District Consumer Society.
The food is delivered in special thermos three times a day, after which the duty attire is distributed to persons in the IVS..."
Vitebsk Spring
