It follows from the investigation materials that on April 3, 2021, Sharmanov was present at the Chizhovka Arena for a hockey match between the Gomel and Yunost-Minsk teams. There, allegedly in a state of alcoholic intoxication, he tore the Belarusian state flag from the flagpole and threw it down.
The accused told the court that he arrived at Chizhovka Arena at about 17:00 and was searched. He says that he was not intoxicated.
"When the drummer in the support group threw the drumsticks towards the team, I went down, picked up the sticks and handed them to the drummer. Below on the railings hung the national flag and the flag of the hockey club "Gomel". I was upset by the poor performance of the team, which was losing 3:0, got angry, tore the flag and threw it down. I had no direct intention to do this, I just could not cope with my emotions," he says .
