REPORTAZ IZ KLETKI OLYA

In Belarus, terrorism has a name: President Alexander Lukashenko. This former soviet secretary has turned into a brutal despot, who oppresses his people in every possible way.

Since his election in 1994 he has diligently worked on silencing all opposition against him. His methods are those of personal terrorism. Politicians campaigning against him die in suspicious accidents or are simply abducted. Journalists, who openly criticize him, are beaten up or killed by his thugs.

Although the Belarusian people live in dire poverty, Lukashenko opposes all reforms of the economy. The president, who has never studied economics, has returned to the old soviet system, explaining to his people: "You will live badly, but not for long."

Director Viktor Dashuk shows images from demonstrations, where protester are beaten into police-vans and mass-arrests are made. Indiscriminate violence against the population does not stop at old ladies.

Interviews with journalists and artists, who have personally suffered under Lukashenko, give evidence that in Belarus, people are not only being robbed of their freedom of body, but most horrifyingly, their freedom of minds.

"Lukashenko is sick, disturbed and gone completely astray." Pavel Sheremet