In Białystok, a client threatened a Belarusian taxi driver over his accent. The prosecutor's office will take up the case

He drove up, picked up the client, and took him to the destination. Everything went well until, at the end of the trip, the Belarusian stated the price. That's when the passenger lost his temper — not because the trip was expensive, but because he heard an accent. Then followed threats and a call to the police. Now the prosecutor's office will take up the case. Most found out what happened.

"Nothing portended inadequate behavior"

The trip lasted only two minutes and was calm. The driver and passenger drove in silence.

— Nothing portended inadequate behavior, — says Siarhei, clarifying that the passenger was sober.

When the Belarusian finished the trip, he told the client the price — fourteen and a half zlotys (less than four euros). The client seemed not to understand. Siarhei clarified: 14.40. The man in the back seat recognized the accent and was clearly displeased. "In this country, you f***ing speak clearly," he said.

Siarhei initially smiled, but the language conflict escalated. Then the taxi driver showed the man that there was a video recording in the car. This further enraged the passenger — he demonstratively said towards the dashcam: "Hey, camera, this b**** said that Poles are f***ed."

The Belarusian said nothing of the sort. But the passenger began to threaten him. Siarhei asked the man to get out of the car, but he just took out his phone to also film the taxi driver, started shouting, and grabbed the Belarusian by his clothes. Siarhei began to call the police. Hearing the automatic operator's voice, the passenger left the car.

Lawyer sends a request to the prosecutor's office

Siarhei could have reported the problematic client to the operator, but decided to end the call and drive away. However, 200 meters later he saw a police patrol.

— I drove up to them, wanted to find out how best to proceed, and show the dashcam footage. But they were busy with another car and said they were very occupied, — says Siarhei.

The patrol officers only advised the man to call the general police number again. But he did otherwise. Colleagues recommended a lawyer specializing in xenophobia-related cases. Siarhei sent him the video from the dashcam, and after reviewing the recording, the lawyer said he would take on the case and send a statement to the prosecutor's office.

The outcome of such cases is not obvious and depends on the circumstances. In Krakow, a Belarusian taxi driver won a lawsuit against a former client who behaved rudely and told him to "get out to Ukraine." And in Białystok, a client, losing his temper, not only insulted a Belarusian taxi driver but also damaged his car. But the prosecutor's office ceased proceedings in the case "due to the absence of elements of a crime." They concluded that the passenger "acted under the influence of strong emotions and had no intention of causing harm to anyone." In such cases, only a civil lawsuit remains.

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