«Freedom – is one of fundamental values in civilized world. Residents of occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk regions can just dream about observance of their rights and freedoms. Curfew – is one of the most pressing factors, which works in all settlement of “Novorossiya” and violates citizens’ freedom of movement.
Correspondent of the informatory.lg.ua communicated with residents of occupied Alchevsk, who told him about features of life in captivity and conditions of the curfew.»
How “LPR” struggles with violators
First time talks about curfew in Alchevsk appeared at the end of July 2014. At that times the “leader of “LPR” Valeriy Bolotov issued a decree that there was curfew on all territory of “republic” from 10 pm t0 6 am. But, abidance of it had a weak control, so not so a lot people followed this order. At the end of July, with coming of Aleksei Mozgovoy batallion “Prizrak” (Ghost), residents of the city got hard times. Walking after 10 pm were taken in the cellar, where detained got different fate from beatings and bullyings to the wide spectre of forced labors.
Aleksei is one of those who was caught by fighters when he quietly was walking home at the end of August of last year. Guy was coming to his house and at that moment VAZ-2106 drove into the yard, blinded him with lights.
“Two ran out from the car, began to shout that I violate curfew. I haven’t had passport with me yet and I said to them that I live closer and I can bring them passport, but they pushed me in the car and brought into the basement” — our interlocutor reports about it to us. */
Aleksei tells that next he was delivered into the accommodation of ex-maternity hospital, where last summer militants equipped there bomb shelter and a military hospital. There his paraphernalia was taken away: belt and shoelaces, money and phone.
“If you keep calm, peaceful and don’t demand to respect your rights, they don’t beat you strongly… They can hit once or twice on your nape with the butt — Aleksei tells about conditions of detention in the cellar — I sat there till the morning and then other guys and I were removed out of the city. We dag there some trenches filled with sandbags, at those days all were waiting for offense of “ukrops” (Ukrainian patriotic warriors, sounded with Englis-*+h dill, but in a sense of plant).
Aleksei was lucky: he coaxed “elder” and guy was released home in the evening at last reproved and adviced not to violate curfew. Money and expensive telephone weren’t come back to him, of course.
It’s dangerous on the street at night: I went to pharmacy and was almost dragged to the sauna
Curfew in “LPR” isn’t legal measure, it doesn’t base on legal regulations, that’s why documents that clearly regulate all subtleties of its compliance don’t exist.
“It’s not clear for me or you mustn’t to be on the streets at night or only drunk and people without passports are detained…” — considers the student of DonSTU Julia. Not so long ago girl went out at night into the pharmacy and met the patrol of “militants” had very unpleasant conversation with them.
“I explained to them that I ran out for medicines, my grandma felt bad and this “defenders”, being drunk”, began to say to me vulgarities and to urge me to go with them to sauna. Thank God, one of them was normal and he released me, while other distracted and I ran home. I’m afraid to go somewhere at night from that times” — girl shares his impressions.
The head of “LPR” Ihor plotnitsky issued a “decree” on April 12, 2015, which appointed curfew on the territory of “LPR” from 11 pm. Alchevsk youth was glad about this news. Summer was closer and this meant that they could go for walk for an hour more, without fear to get into the basement or pit. But such happiness was not so long. After the liquidation of the chieftain of band “Prizrak” (Ghost) Aleksei Mozgovoy, the control under compliance of curfew was toughened in Alchevsk and its suburbs.
After visit of Plotnitsky to Alchevsk, who according to rumors was commandant one night there, curfew once again was started from 10 pm and those who dared to walk after that time were taken to commandant’s office and local police department. According to available information only at first night, when patrol was strengthened, more than 300 dwellers were detained. “Basements are full of people” — had commented the situation the anonymous source in Alchevsk police in that times.
“If there will be a need, we will made it from 6 pm”. Curfew won’t be cancelled by anybody
Locals told to journalist of infromator one story how man was detained in July at 10:10 pm, sent in cellar and hardly beaten. Man was guilty in three points: violation of curfew, refuse to serve in “militia” and also crossing the road in wrong place (!).
Insurgents don’t regret people of older age, presenting unsubstantiated claims and mocking them.
“I’m on a pension, but I worked as a janitor in one firm — tell Ivan Semenovich 0f 63-year old — So! I go in spring in 4 am to clean the territory earlier, camouflage youth stop me me and say to me: “granddad, where’re you moving, why not at home?” I tell them that I go on my work and they say show us a passport, but I don’t take documents with me, because I afraid to lose them. So, they brought me to police department, took there more than a day, explaining it that they identificate me. The didn’t beat be, but there were strong moral pressure from their side. They said that I could be Ukrainian saboteur. Then they released me home, but sediment remained for a long time” — concludes pensioner.
From the middle of August together with rumors about coming escalation of armed conflict in Alchevsk and towns near rumors about curfew from 9 pm began to spread, but no official information come.
“If there will be a need, we will made it from 6 pm” — commented indignant comments in a such way in social media one of the local “militants”.
“We will win war and then you will go for a walk every time that you want and now go home” — there was the answer of another fighter.
It’s hard to forecast how situation will develop there, but by today streets of occupied cities are rapidly emptying till the morning.
Vitold Ofsentliy specially for Informator.lg.ua