Date: 1997

Region: Europe

Subject: Political/Economic/Social Opinion

Medium: Film Video


Artist: Yuri Khashchevatsky


Confronting Bodies: Belarus' State Security Committee and offended citizens


Dates of Action: December, 1997


Location: Karelichi, Belarus


Description of Artwork: Khashchevatsky, a well known Belarusan film director, directed the film An Ordinary President, criticizing president Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

The Incident: The film was broadcast in Karelichi on January 22, 1997. Afterwards, local police and members of the State Security Committee siezed the video and arrested the station operator, Maksim Svyrid.

Results of Incident: On December 23, 1997, Khashchevatsky was assaulted by two unknown assailants, two days after the film premiered on French and German Television.

Source: Index on Censorship, 2/98