On August 5th, at the “Hippo” store in Novaya Borovaya (a district of Minsk) law enforcement officials apprehended a 35-year-old man named Artem Zayats. The grounds for his detention remain unknown. Subsequently, Artem was taken to the Pervomaisky district police department of Minsk. However, shortly thereafter, the man was transported in an unconscious state by an ambulance to a hospital, where medical examination revealed fractures of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th cervical vertebrae.

Artem Zayats underwent emergency surgery, but ultimately his life could not be saved. He passed away at the Minsk Emergency Medical Hospital on August 10th, without regaining consciousness, five days after the surgery.

It is known that the prosecutor’s office is currently conducting an investigation into this case. However, there is no information available at the moment regarding whether a criminal case will be initiated in connection with Artem’s death.

The Pervomaisky district police department is notorious in Minsk for the exceptional cruelty of its employees.  During the 2020 protests in Minsk, those who were detained and taken there were subjected to beatings, confiscation of personal belongings, mobile phones, and money, and were forced to stand on their knees on the floor for prolonged periods.

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