Partner of dead Belarus protester believes police shot him

  partner of a man who died in protests engulfing Belarus says she does t believe official account that Alexander Taraikovsky was killed when an explosive device that he intended to throw at police blew up in his hand.

Elena German told Associated Press on Saturday that she is sure her 34-year-old partner was shot by police.

German spoke a few hours before Taraikovsky's funeral and burial, an event that could reinforce anger of demonstrators who have protested what y consider a sham presidential election and violent police crackdown on opposition.

Taraikovsky died Monday as protests roiled streets of capital Minsk, deuncing official figures showing that authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, in power since 1994, h won a sixth term in office.

German was able to visit morgue and see his body on Friday, four days after he died. She said she did t believe he h been holding an explosive.

"re is a seam in chest area — hole was sewn up, but re is a black bruise; it's small but we ticed. His hands and feet are completely intact, re are t even bruises, ”she said.

“Obviously, it was a shot right in chest,” she said.

Belarus' Interior Ministry has declined to comment on situation, beyond its initial claim that a protester died because of a hand-held explosive.

German said she intends to seek a full investigation. She has called on a Belarusian human rights organization for help, and wants international experts to take part in a probe.

“I am feeling outrd. I’m angry. That is why I want to achieve justice, ”she said.

“In fact, I am very scared," she ded. “I was left alone, without support. I feel empty.”

German said Taraikovsky h worked hard at his automobile repair business and that neir of m h been interested in politics until last presidential election.

family’s views began to change after she and her husband attended a 60,000-strong campaign rally of main opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhauskaya. n y decided to support post-election protests.

“He was very indignant at illegal detentions and was proud of people. He said — finally, finally! We discussed all news every evening," she said.

“ matter how hard y try to put up some kind of barriers, turn off Internet, disperse se rallies, we are t fools — everyone understands everything,” German said.