The Belarusian Helsinki Committee appealed to the Investigative Committee and the General Prosecutor's Office in connection with the audio recording allegedly featuring the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Nikolai Karpenkov, published on 15 January, 2021 on BYPOL YouTube channel.
This recording, inter alia, mentions how Aleksandr Taraikovsky was killed, discusses setting up camps for protesters, and carte blanche in using force against protesters.
Taking into account the information presented on the recording, human rights defenders demand the Investigative Committee and the General Prosecutor's Office to:
1) institute criminal proceedings on the death of Alexander Taraikovsky and conduct a comprehensive, complete, objective and prompt investigation of this crime;
2) ensure that there is maximum public awareness about any procedural decisions taken in this criminal case;
3) examine the legal framework of the statements of a person identified as the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Nikolai Karpenkov, which, in our opinion, should be qualified as preparation for crimes against the security of mankind;
4) take all possible measures as are within their authority to prevent the implementation of plans involving the gravest violations of human rights standards and the international obligations of the Republic of Belarus.
