Belarus’ Prosecutor General participated in nationwide subbotnik to landscape burial site of war victims
The Prosecutor General of Belarus, Andrei Shved, his deputies and employees of the supervisory authority have taken part in the nationwide subbotnik today – landscaping a burial place of war victims near the village of Yaroshovka, Dzerzhinsk District, Minsk Region. At least 2 thousand prisoners of war and civilians who became victims of the invaders are buried here.
In Year of Peace and Creation, the prosecutors’ work is aimed at preserving the memory of the past, the feat of those who saved peace on the Belarusian land – even at the cost of their own lives.
“We are working today on the territory of the Dzerzhinsk District, and this is a sad place. Prisoners of war from Stalag 352 were brought here, and it was one of the largest death camps for such people. According to various estimates, at least 80,000 people died here, and this grave keeps the remains of at least 2 thousand prisoners of war and civilians who were brought from the Dzerzhinsk District to be killed here,” Mr. Shved said.
Belarusian prosecutors have paid attention today to iconic sites across the country, such as monuments and memorials to the burned villages and mass graves of civilians.
During the investigation of the criminal case of genocide and the establishment of new facts of the criminal acts of the Nazis and their accomplices, comprehensive work has been organised not only to restore, but also to preserve historical memory. Perpetuating the memory of the victims of the genocide of the Belarusian people is in focus.
Speaking with media representatives, the Prosecutor General noted, “The main emphasis is placed, among other things, on ensuring that the results of the investigation of the criminal case of genocide find their practical embodiment. Work is underway countrywide to perpetuate the memory and preserve the places of mass destruction of civilians – so that people, youngsters can visit these places and learn the truth about the atrocities that took place here.”
Mr. Shved noted that the Government supported the initiative to transfer a number of places associated with the mass destruction of citizens to another category, “The well-known Trostenets Complex had the third category of the regional level, but we raised the issue and the Government agreed that this site should be of an international level. This is right, because people from all over Europe were killed in Trostenets. This is a landmark place.”
The Prosecutor General added that, as part of the investigation of the criminal case of genocide, more than 11,000 destroyed Belarusian settlements have been identified, and this figure will increase. The fate of Khatyn was shared by at least 250 villages.
Speaking about the plans to conduct excavations in the alleged places of mass destruction of citizens, Mr. Shved informed that there are at least 300 such places. “The daily painstaking work of prosecutors in every region of our country to establish new facts of Nazi atrocities, restore the historical truth and bring the results of the investigation of the criminal case to the public continues," he stated.
