Residents of Pskov raised 18 thousand rubles for the treatment of people injured during the protests in Belarus. Vladimir Zhilinsky, the initiator of the idea and founder of the Shag (‘Step’) Areas of Interests, told 7x7 about this.
Zhilinsky has two citizenships — Belarusian and Russian — and heads the Pskov branch of the Golos (‘Voice’) Movement. The founder of Shag actively followed the events in Belarus.
— I bought food at the store and invited friends over, having warned them that we were collecting gifts in the moneybox. I did not announce this charitable event publicly. The event was held privately. We had a great time and raised a little less than 20 thousand rubles. Some money has already been transferred for the treatment of victims of police and Special Police Force’s attacks. For example, the treatment of a young woman, who was thrown a sting grenade at her feet during the protests, was completely paid off with our money. Soon we will transfer the remaining money to help other victims as well. I was given a birthday present that is of the greatest importance to me — I was given hope that we will do well and everything will be fine in our countries, — said Vladimir Zhilinsky.
Zhilinsky decided to organize a charity fundraising for the victims of mass protests on his birthday against the background of the detention of Artyom Vazhenkov, his colleague in Golos, in the republic and Andrei Ostapovich, a former employee of the Investigative Committee of Belarus, in Pskov.
Mass protests began after the presidential elections in Belarus on August 9, won by current head of the state Alexander Lukashenko (according to the CEC). Participants of rallies declared the results of elections fraudulent. Law enforcement officials used rubber hoses, water cannons, and sting grenades for crackdown. As a result, thousands of people were injured and several people died.
