Artist: Yuri Khashchevatsky
Confronting Bodies: Belarus' State Security Committee and offended citizens
Date of Action: December 1997
Specific Location: Karelichi, Belarus
Description of Artwork: Khashchevatsky, a well known Belarusan film director, directed the film "An Ordinary President," criticizing president Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
Description of 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
Submitted By: NCAC