Interior Ministry Investigates Vitsyebsk Host Over Remarks About Colleague Using the Term “Prikorytniki”
Reform.news Editorial Team · 6 November 2026, 20:27
https://reform.news/en/interior-ministry-investigates-vitsyebsk-host-over-remarks-about-colleague-using-the-term-prikorytniki/The Interior Ministry is investigating a Vitsyebsk event host over remarks he made about a colleague at a corporate party. A complaint against the man was submitted through the ministry’s “We Are Always Nearby” chatbot.
According to the Interior Ministry , the 38-year-old host, while performing at a corporate event in the Vitsyebsk District, “made disparaging remarks about a colleague, including the use of obscene language. The Vitsyebsk resident also criticised his colleague’s professional interactions with government organisations.”
The ministry published an excerpt from a recording of the performance. The man says: “He’s already booked some bank for a corporate event, so don’t screw him over. ****, right? Send him this video, ****. To your 20-percent prikorytniki (a derogatory Belarusian term for people perceived as benefiting from their ties to the authorities – – Ed.), or however many percent you have.”
The Interior Ministry has launched an investigation, following which the man’s actions will receive a legal assessment. The police also warned of liability, including criminal liability, for “posting online content for hype and likes that does not correspond to reality and creates a distorted public perception of what happened.”
The incident was previously reported by Vitsyebsk blogger and event host Vitaly Savelyeu. In a TikTok video, he said that he and his colleagues – wedding hosts – had gathered to celebrate the end of the season. During the event, participants held a “roast”, making harsh jokes about one another. Two hours after Savelyeu’s performance, a police patrol arrived and asked him to provide explanations over a joke about one of his colleagues. The complaint alleged that Savelyeu had made “insulting remarks of a political nature”.