Unknown individuals sitting in a silver-coloured Opel are observing her house, activist Volha Nikalaichyk said on Friday.
According to the woman, when her nephews went shopping, they were followed by ‘some plainclothes persons’:
“I have not violated anything, I am doing my things – why should they come to my house and scare my family? They were in civvies and drove a usual car. What is going on? Where do I live? In prison? In the Gulag? Today is March, 23 – I am not even participating in the march! Why do these thugs repeatedly knock on my doors and windows -at nights or on the eve of rallies? Why do they put me in jail? Do they own me? Or am I a criminal? Where do we live? I have been fighting for my rights for 23 years, and I am not going to stop, but I do not break the law! I demand my rights be respected – and that’s all!” she said on Facebook.
A number of festive events are scheduled for Sunday on the occasion of the upcoming 100th anniversary of the proclamation of Belarus’ nationhood.
In late February, Minsk authorities allowed to hold a Freedom Day concert and a rally next to the Opera and Ballet Theatre, but banned the applicants from marching. However, several politicians submitted another application for holding a march on the occasion at Minsk city executive committee, but failed to give any approval.
As reported earlier, the authorities started to preventively detain politicians who were about to hold a march on March 25, Belarus’ unofficial Freedom Day. Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu and Maxim Vinyarski will spend 10 days in prison; Vyachaslau Siuchyk – 5 days. Riot policemen made activist Yauhen Afnahel leave his place after threatening to storm the house. Politician Mikalai Statkevich has been staying at home for several days so that the police could not grab him. On Thursday, activists of the BPF Youth were detained when distributing invitations to the concert authorised by Minsk authorities.
***
March 25, 2018 will be the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of the Belarusian People’s Republic (BNR). It came into existence at the end of the First World War, when Bolshevik forces left Minsk and the city was occupied by German troops. On March 25, 1918 the Provisional Government (Rada) proclaimed the independence of the BNR. After the Red Army re-entered Minsk, the Communist government replaced the Rada; its members had to emigrate. For many years, Lukashenka regime has been slamming and even persecuting those who pay the tribute to the BNR.
