MINSK, 23 November (BelTA) – By pushing back refugees, Poland is fomenting tension at the border, BelTA learned from the State Border Committee.
“On the night of 23 November, Polish security forces tried to push back a group of foreigners. These foreigners refused to go to Belarus and decided to stay at the Polish border fence continuing to ask for asylum in Poland. To disperse the refugees, the Polish military threw smoke-puff charges across the borderline into the territory of Belarus, and used tear gas. Such actions are aimed at provoking an aggressive response by the refugees and creating preconditions for another provocation at the border,” the State Border Committee informed.
“This is not the first time that Poland has used special equipment at the border against unarmed people. The use of smoke-puff charges, stun grenades, water cannons and gas by the Polish side violates international law and is a direct aggression against vulnerable groups of refugees,” the State Border Committee added.
