Belarus anarchists arrested for throwing paint at Lukashenka-controlled TV office
The Belarusian authorities have reportedly arrested several participants of the protest action condemning ‘justifying tyranny’ by the state-run Belarusian Television and Radio Company (BT).
According to the Anarchist Black Cross of Belarus website, on Monday evening, the Minsk police detained a girl and a young man (their names are not disclosed) and took them to Pershamaiski district police department in Minsk. They are suspected of involvement in the action. At least two persons’ homes were searched; a criminal case for ‘hooliganism’ were opened against the youngsters.
On June 9, three masked men threw bulbs filled with paint at the building of the state-run Belarusian Television and Radio Company (BT) in Minsk. Later, the Belarusian anarchist movement took responsibility for the action and published the video of their protest against the ‘propagandists who help the regime to commit crimes’.
The committers may face up to six years in prison. The Television and Radio Company also promised to reveal their names on air.
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On April 29, about 35 cyclists, including anarchist Dzmitry paliyenka, gathered in central Minsk to take part in a social event that was aimed at ‘reclaiming the streets’, i.e. asserting their rights. As a result, at least six people were detained by the police. The detainees were reportedly thrown into the bus, forced to face the floor, and suffered blows in their stomachs and faces.
Later the most of them were released, but Dzmitry Paliyenka is still under arrest. Charged with using violence against a police officer (Article 364 of the Criminal Code), the activist is facing up to 6 years in prison.
