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"I spotted seven grenades and the eighth landed at my feet"

Marked with a red mark hit especially hard

Darya is a student at the University of Paris. She had to come back to her hometown of Novopolotsk because of the coronavirus and planned to stay with her parents until the new academic year. A stun grenade that landed right at her feet ruined all of her plans. These days, the girl cannot take a plane because of the tinnitus and has to walk with crutches.

Darya Babenko,student of University of Paris
Age: 23 года
City: Novopolotsk
When: 10.08.2020

Injured by the stun grenade blast during the protest

Held in custody: Militia station, 3 hours
Medical diagnosis: Shrapnel wound, aural barotrauma, hearing disorder, multiple body and limbs bruises PDF
Aftermath: Cannot continue her studies

Author: Veronika Ulasevitch, IMENA

Photo: Alexander Vasyukovitch for IMENA

“It has been five years since I started my studies in Paris. I also learn Russian, history, and culture. In March, when the coronavirus pandemic came, I went home to Novopolotsk.  On the evening of August 10, together with my dad and my little brother I went to a 24/7 drug store in the city center.
 
The main city square was blocked, people were not allowed there. After we purchased the meds, we noticed that people started gathering at the intersection by the square.  All of them were peaceful, quiet and did not provoke the militia officers.  All they wanted was just to protect their right to vote.  We decided not to go into the crowd and instead went on top of the hill away from the people to observe what was happening from there.

At some point, a minivan drove up to the crowd and the riot-police ran out. There were around 20 of them. All the people were peaceful; no one could even think that the policemen would start throwing the stun grenades into the crowd.  Apparently, this was their way to scare people away.

The first blast scared me, but we kept watching.  It seemed that no one would throw anything at us; that they would not notice us. Moreover, next to my dad I felt safe. During the whole time, I spotted seven grenades and the eighths landed at my feet.  This one was the last.

When one of the policemen suddenly turned around and threw the grenade our way, three of us (my dad, my brother and I) ran. I can hardly recall that moment now.  It seemed we ran away pretty far but for some reason that evil grenade caught up to me right at my feet. Blast! I could not see or hear anything. I immediately felt pain in my left foot, lower leg and thigh, as if they were torn into little pieces. I thought I was dying and collapsed on the ground.  When someone tried to lift me up it felt like we were trapped and the war began. I became unconscious.

Despite everything I went through, I do not have any regrets about being there at that moment.  Even if I knew what was going to happen, I would be there anyway

When I came back to my senses, I was on the bench somewhere in the residential area courtyards. My brother was looking at me with his face twisted and recommended not to look down.  Fortunately, the blast did not injure him and my dad.  While we were waiting for an ambulance, I was sweating like hell, losing my mind from time to time.

The doctors made an X-ray at the hospital and then started pulling out the shrapnel from my leg.  Even though it was anesthetized, I could feel the annoying picking. They picked the fragments from the front of my lower leg, from under my breast and off the pubic area.  Then they patched up the wounds all over my body and let us go home at night. Most likely, the doctors were expecting people with more severe injuries. There was a girl who had shrapnel in her foot, another man hit in his buttock, a young guy with nerve damage and he could not feel his leg.
 

However, our adventure continued. Blood was all over my T-shirt, socks and even the meds that we had purchased.  We took a taxi to get home.  But on the way the militia pulled us over and sent us to the police station.  When I tried to explain the situation their answer was ‘Stop your fairy tales and get out.’ They did not care. 

We spent three hours at the militia station, the militiamen approached us, took photos, and asked questions about what happened.  Only around 3:30 a.m. did they let us go. After an hour and half,  a district militia officer came to our home and insisted on us going to the Investigation Committee to file a report. I blankly rejected that inquiry since I was completely exhausted at that moment.  Even now I do not see any point in filing a report.  Who do I report to? They would not punish their own people.  Recently, our district militiaman told us that our case was closed. 

I do not feel well now.  I can only walk with crutches to the hospital to change bandages and to the bathroom. The wounds hurt, since these are open sores that take time to recover.  I am already used to the pain. In my normal life I love running.  I asked my doctor when I could go back to the stadium. His answer was a deathlike silence.”

My biggest surprise was the way our Belarus people self-organise. Strangers offered me assistance

“I was also diagnosed with a barotrauma of my right ear resulting from the blast. They told me I was lucky, another girl had her eardrum torn.  These days, I always hear an annoying noise in my ears.  The doctors forbid me from flying, diving and hiking within the next three months.  They said the noise should eventually disappear.

Frankly speaking, I am not sure what will happen to me next. At the end of August, I should have travelled back to Paris.  Now I can’t fly and finding a job with crutches is an unlikely scenario.  The classes begin in September; it’s my last year at the university and I do not understand how to get to Paris and survive there.
 
What surprised me the most is the way our people in Belarus can self-organize. Absolute strangers offered me help. After everything that happened, a girl, one of the volunteers from IMENA, got in touch with me and asked what kind of support I needed. Of course, all I need is the assistance of qualified doctors.  In the end, that girl arranged appointments with the specialists  (neurologist and traumatologist) in Minsk for me within one day. Besides, I had an abdominal ultrasound.  All of that was free of charge.  Thanks to all the people who cared.
 
Despite everything I went through, I do not have any regrets about being there at that moment.  Even if I knew what was going to happen I would be there anyway. However, I wish no one to be in a similar situation.  Deep inside I am somewhat glad that it happened to me and not somebody else.  I am strong and can overcome this, however, it is unlikely for someone who might be a little weaker, for instance, an older lady passing by.”    
P.S. Darya think it doesn't make sense to file petition in the Investigation committee.

If you have suffered during peaceful demonstrations and are ready to tell your story, write to us at avgust2020belarus@gmail.com with the note “History”. We will contact you. thanks

Darya Babenko,student of University of Paris
Age: 23 года
City: Novopolotsk
When: 10.08.2020

Injured by the stun grenade blast during the protest

Held in custody: Militia station, 3 hours
Medical diagnosis: Shrapnel wound, aural barotrauma, hearing disorder, multiple body and limbs bruises PDF
Aftermath: Cannot continue her studies