"When Will the Interrogations Stop?" The Border Committee Suggested Using Threads for Questions
The State Border Committee of Belarus published a post on Threads with an appeal: "Are you planning to cross the Belarusian border? Ask questions!" Belarusians and tourists responded with a wave of pointed questions concerning phone checks, interrogations, and the migration crisis. There were no official answers to most of the uncomfortable comments.
The most painful topic for commentators was the practice of checking gadgets and conducting so-called "conversations."
"When will the interrogations at the border stop? People are afraid to travel."
"According to what law are people called in for 'conversations' and their phones checked? What measures are applied to employees who violate legislation and exceed their authority?"
"Why am I called in for so-called 'conversations' every other time, and how can I avoid this procedure?"
"Why on earth should I give my phone at the border to some KGB-like officer and let them read my correspondence?"
"What law allows border guards to inspect citizens' personal gadgets without a prosecutor's sanction? And to detain them for refusing to unlock them?"
One user even shared her experience of returning to her homeland, as a result, "returning to Belarus became disgusting."
"I showed my certificate of return to Belarus, and the border guards didn't even understand what it was. Silly questions began. Next time, contact senior management or use connections. They prohibited looking at the phone without a valid reason. They engage in nonsense. Returning to Belarus became disgusting."
Besides the topic of political persecution at the border, Belarusians raised the issue of security forces' involvement in creating an artificial migration crisis on the borders with the European Union.
"Who are these people in camouflage helping crowds of illegal migrants storm the borders of EU countries? How do you manage not to notice crowds of illegal migrants walking along the border with ladders, lighting bonfires, and digging tunnels?"
Citizens were also interested in the language issue and the specifics of the work of control services.
"Do you speak Belarusian? And do you use it in service?"
Such remarks remain unnoticed by the committee's press service. Many pointed comments gradually disappear.
One of the most liked comments was: "Why does the phrase 'Are you planning to cross the Belarusian border?' sound like a threat when you say it?"
Comments