A Belsat team filmed how member of special police force unit was forcing a girl to give back her Ukrainian flag before a concert of the prominent Ukrainian band “Okean Elzy” in Minsk.
Just before the concerr the Belarusian police started to “put everything in order”. A member of “Okean Elzy” fanclub became one of the first victims: a flag the girl used to take to every concert of her favorite Ukrainian rock group was seized.
Belsat journalists noticed five cases of confiscating flags. Four were taken in the fan-zone in front of the concert hall, one inside. One person managed to save her flag from the police officers.
Okan Elzy is Ukrainian band whose song Vsatavay (Rise up!) was one of Euromaidan anthems.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked Belarusian authorities about the incidents. Press officer of Ukrainian MFA Yevhen Perebyinis said on Twitter: “Is it normal? Is the Ukrainian flag illegal in Belarus?”
Jb/Belsat
