Opposition action dispersed right after it began in Minsk

More than ten people have been detained in October Square of Minsk today, on October 8.  Special police officers did not allow journalists to work during the detention again
“Charter-97” reminds that opposition activists were going to conduct an action of solidarity with political prisoners Mikalai Autuhovich and Uladzimir Asipenka on February 8. They have already spent a year in the confinement cell.

Special police officers in plain clothes had started patrolling Independence Square and Avenue near the subway exits and pedestrian subways 30 minutes before the action began.
As soon as opposition members entered the square and took out portraits of the prisoners of conscience, dozens of policemen in plain clothes and in uniform attacked them. Opposition activists were pushed into two police buses. Activists of a civil camping “European Belarus” Yauhen Afnahel, Palina Kuryanovich, Maxim Vinyarski, the leader of “BNF Youth” Andrei Krechka, one of the leaders of “Malady Front” Mikola Dzemidzenka and others are among the detained.
Journalists were not allowed to take pictures of the dispersion. Just like at previous opposition actions, several people in plain clothes followed every single journalist. They closed the lenses of their photo and video cameras, kicked journalists, hit them on their hands and did not allow them to fulfill their professional duties.
At the same time, policemen in plain clothes did not introduce themselves and did not show any documents. Policemen wearing uniform did not react to journalists’ requests to pay attention to the attackers.


Photo by: Radio "Liberty"