Former head of the Hantsavichy District Police Department Vital Kuliashou, who left the neuropsychiatric dispensary in Baranavichy without authorization, is being sought by police and rescuers. The “Hantsavitski Chas” reported after noticing a wanted notice issued by the “Orientir” search and rescue center, recalling that Kuliashou became known after the events of 2020, when participants in a “solidarity chain” and journalists were detained in Hantsavichy.
At around 1 p.m. on September 17, he left the inpatient ward of the Baranavichy Neuropsychiatric Dispensary. His whereabouts are unknown.
Vital Kuliashou headed the district police department from 2019. Before that, he had served in the internal affairs agencies for almost two decades. He became widely known after the events of June 20, 2020, in Hantsavichy. Police then detained participants in a “solidarity chain.” Journalists from “Hantsavitski Chas,” who were livestreaming the events, were detained along with them. Kuliashou himself later confirmed in court that he had taken part in the detention of the journalists.
It was during those events that Kuliashou uttered the phrase that later became well known, addressing a person with a camera: “Turn off this f***ing thing, or tomorrow you’ll all be fired.” The episode spread online and became one of the most recognizable incidents associated with the former head of the Hantsavichy District Police Department.
Reports on the events of 2020 included accounts of harsh treatment of detainees after they were taken to the district police department. Relatives of one of the detainees said that medical workers documented bodily injuries after his release.
In the summer of 2021, Kuliashou left his position as head of the Hantsavichy District Police Department. As of August 1, he had already not been heading the department for several weeks, although he was still listed as its chief on the website of the Brest Regional Department of Internal Affairs. No explanation was given at the time for his departure.
According to the publication, after his dismissal, questions arose around Kuliashou related to financial transactions, the distribution of bonuses and the handling of property belonging to the district police department. In one case, the issue concerned scrap metal that had previously been seized from a private individual. According to the resource’s sources, after the scrap appeared on the premises of the district police department, questions arose about what happened to the metal and the proceeds from its sale.
According to sources cited by “Hantsavitski Chas,” after leaving the police, Kuliashou was offered the option of becoming a district police inspector or leaving the service and later retiring. Ultimately, he did not work as a district police inspector and took a job at an agricultural organization in the Baranavichy district.
Kuliashou’s first degree was in veterinary medicine. He graduated from the Vitebsk Academy of Veterinary Medicine, after which he began his career in the police. The authors note that this led to the nickname “veterinarian” being used for him in conversations.
According to the editorial office, questions about certain episodes of his previous activities continued to exist even after his dismissal. Acquaintances said Kuliashou was under severe stress.
Later, he experienced a serious crisis that required psychiatric assistance. According to the resource, this involved a suicide attempt.
On September 17, Kuliashou left the Baranavichy Neuropsychiatric Dispensary without authorization. “Orientir” asks anyone who knows his whereabouts to report it by calling 102 or contact the center’s search team at +375 33 992-77-33.