Activists who commemorated Stalin's victims await trial in Vitsebsk
An attempt to commemorate the victims of Stalinist repressions near the village of Palyai in the Vitsebsk district ended with detention of the action's participants. In 1930-1950s, Stalin's secret police NKVD carried out mass executions of people there. A group of local activists led by the Conservative Christian Party of the Belarusian Popular Front traveled to Palyai in order to install a memorial cross on the site of executions. Police was monitoring the event and later forced the participants to go to a police station, reports ERB correspondent Yadviga Stasheuskaya.
A total of 25 people, including three journalists, were detained and charged with taking part in an unauthorized event, according to police wintesses.
Five activists -- Yan Taupyha, Barys Khamayda, Zmitser Yakauleu, Siarhey Belyazeka and Siarhey Kavalenka who were holding white-red-white flags during the event -- were taken to a court-house. The rest of the participants were released.
A total of 25 people, including three journalists, were detained and charged with taking part in an unauthorized event, according to police wintesses.
Five activists -- Yan Taupyha, Barys Khamayda, Zmitser Yakauleu, Siarhey Belyazeka and Siarhey Kavalenka who were holding white-red-white flags during the event -- were taken to a court-house. The rest of the participants were released.
