Wife divorces Belarus riot officer

Timur Grishko was pictured standing over an unconscious demonstrator
Timur Grishko was pictured standing over an unconscious demonstrator
VASILY FEDOSENKO/REUTERS

The wife of a Belarusian riot police officer accused of taking part in a brutal clampdown on opposition protests has divorced him after he was named and shamed online.

Protests erupted in Belarus in August after President Lukashenko claimed a landslide victory in elections that the opposition and western government have said were rigged. Security forces have used stun grenades, rubber bullets and water cannon, leaving at least five people dead.

Liliya Salimgareeva, a champion bodybuilder, said divorcing Mr Grishko was a safer choice
Liliya Salimgareeva, a champion bodybuilder, said divorcing Mr Grishko was a safer choice

Footage of Timur Grishko standing over an unconscious demonstrator went viral after the first night of protests. Mr Grishko, 29, was wearing a balaclava, but was identified from police records. Hackers have made public the identities of more than 1,000 officers.

Liliya Salimgareeva, 30, said she decided to file for divorce after receiving hate