# Interpellation in the matter of the beating of Yan Mikhalchyk

- URL: https://syn.by/en/history/archives/interpellation-beating-yan-mikhalchyk/
- Published: 1924-06-26T19:35:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T01:45:50+00:00
- Section: Archives
- Language: en
- BE edition: https://syn.by/historya/arkhivy/interpeliacyja-u-spravie-biccia-jana-michalchyka.md
- RU edition: https://syn.by/ru/istoriya/arhivy/interpellyatsiya-po-delu-yana-mikhalchika.md

> A peasant who was carrying purchased firewood to pay his taxes was stopped by the police and then beaten half to death. The deputies ask whether the guilty will be punished and the losses compensated.

![](https://syn.by/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/illustration-5800-1024x585.webp)

From the members of the Sejm of the Belarusian Club to the Minister of Internal Affairs — in the matter of the beating of Yan Mikhalchyk by the police and the confiscation of firewood.

The State Police in the Belarusian lands does not cease to torment the Belarusian population. Even peasants who quietly go about their work on their farmland are subjected to this persecution.

In March of this year the peasant Yan Mikhalchyk, of the village of Zalessie, Zhyrovichy gmina, Slonim county, in order to raise money to pay his taxes, was taking firewood to the town of Zhyrovichy, which he had bought beforehand at the manor of Mr. Al. Mikulski. Before Mikhalchyk reached Zhyrovichy, the commander of the local police station stopped him and, having checked the receipt, let the peasant go on into the town. In Zhyrovichy, however, despite the proof of ownership of the firewood, policeman No. 1551 ordered Mikhalchyk to take the firewood to the police station and unload it there. A few days later the injured man received a written summons to come to the station and collect his firewood. But instead of handing over the firewood, Yan Mikhalchyk was led into a separate room, where policeman No. 2487 beat him half to death.

In view of the above, the undersigned ask the Minister: 1) Is he aware of the above? 2) Does he intend to bring policemen No. 1551 and No. 2487 to court for the beating of the peasant Yan Mikhalchyk and for the unlawful confiscation of the firewood? 3) Does he intend to compensate the moral and material wrongs done to Y. Mikhalchyk by the police?

Warsaw, 3 June 1924.