GRODNO, 17 November (BelTA) - Polish security forces used gas against us, disregarding the fact that women and children were among us, one of the refugees from the camp near the Bruzgi checkpoint on the Belarusian-Polish border told BelTA.
In the afternoon of 16 November, the situation on the Belarusian-Polish border became tense. Some of the refugees from the makeshift camp tried to get into Poland. In response, the Polish side used force, water cannons, flash grenades, tear gas.
"They didn't care that there were women and children. Many experienced eye and breathing problems, I am still coughing," he said. Despite what happened, he decided to stay at the border in the hope of getting into the European Union.
"We have no other choice. I will never return to Iraq. It is not safe there," another refugee said. He hopes for a peaceful resolution of the situation, but does not exclude that he will again try to get into Poland. Yesterday's attempt, he said, was driven by despair.
Several hundred people are staying in the camp near the border. They set up tents, burning fires to keep warm. All of them were repeatedly offered to relocate to the temporary accommodation organized in the transport and logistics center near the Bruzgi checkpoint. There are now about 1,000 refugees. They spent the night in the heated accommodation for the first time in many days. They are given warm clothes, provided with hot meals, water. Bio toilets have been installed on the spot.
Those who remained in the camp at the border, hope that the situation will be resolved and they will still go to Poland and further to Europe.
