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Former political prisoner and former presidential candidate Mikalai Statkevich initiated a rally in downtown Minsk, dedicated to the 19th anniversary of the 1996 referendum.
The rally near GUM was attended by Mikalai Statkevich and opposition politicians Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu, Pavel Sevyarynets, activists Maxim Vinyarski and Pavel Vinagradau, BelaPAN reports.
Statkevich told reporters that the rally had several objectives. Firstly, it was held to honor the memory of the disappeared politicians.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”45524″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]Tut.by twitter photo[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
“We do not know where they are buried, but we know where they worked. We’ll go under the office window, where Yury Zakharanka worked (overlooking the avenue), and light candles there. Then we will go to the Central Election Commission (worked Viktar Hanchar worked- BelaPAN),” said the politician.
Another aim of the rally, according to Statkevich, was a “therapy of fear.” “As you remember, on 29 October, we held a rally near the KGB. Both the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Government House – are the buildings that evoke fear of ordinary Belarusians. Perhaps people after today’s rally will become less afraid,” said the politician.
When asked if he was afraid of new trials after the events, Statkevich said that he “did not pay attention to it.” “I’m afraid to not justify the people’s trust. I am afraid only for Belarus,” said the former political prisoner.
Participants came to the rally with national symbols and portraits of disappeared politicians – Yury Zakharanka and Viktar Hanchar.
From GUM about 70 participants marched along the Independence Avenue towards the Government House. They could not pass to the MIA building, because the passage was blocked by a metal fence. There was a truck parked nearby.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”45584″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]Radio Liberty twitter photo[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The participants came to the right wing of the Government House, where the CEC is, to light candles and lights.
At the Independence Square Mikalai Statkevich was approached by the police who wanted to file a report.
Former political prisoner noted that the rally had enough people to make it look decent.
“Despite the fact that we live in a society of fear, the rally took place in a place where five years ago, thousands of people were beaten, arrested, grabbed. People came to this place and showed that they are not afraid,” said the activist.
The police also filed a report on the former ex-presidential candidate Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu, social activists Maxim Vinyarski and Ales Makayeu. The protocol was filed on a young man on with a white-red-white flag on his shoulders and several other people.
The entire rally lasted for about an hour – from 18:00 to 19:00.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”45505″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]Flags at the rally, Radio Liberty twitter photoThe rally was timed to the anniversary of the referendum of November 24th 1996, which was initiated by Alyaksandr Lukashenka. According to the results of the referendum, the Constitution was amended, which, among other things, extended the presidential term of Lukashenka for two and a half years. The referendum results were not recognized by the international community, the EU, US, OSCE and other authoritative international structures.
This rally was the first one announced by Statkevich on October 10 during the “march of the national flag” in Minsk.
The Belsat made movie “Gang” about death squads and the disappearance of opposition politicians and activists.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]JTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwd2lkdGglM0QlMjI1NjAlMjIlMjBoZWlnaHQlM0QlMjIzMTUlMjIlMjBzcmMlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbSUyRmVtYmVkJTJGbGhkQ2ZYaWxENG8lMjIlMjBmcmFtZWJvcmRlciUzRCUyMjAlMjIlMjBhbGxvd2Z1bGxzY3JlZW4lM0UlM0MlMkZpZnJhbWUlM0U=[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]No application was filed with the executive committee for this rally. Statkevich has repeatedly said he does not intend to ask for government permission to have such rallies, because the peaceful assembly of citizens is guaranteed by the Constitution of Belarus.
Former political prisoner Mikola Statkevich was released early on August 22 and is now under preventive supervision of law enforcement agency.
On October 29, near the KGB walls was held a rally in memory of the Stalinism victims, which was also held by Mikalai Statkevich. It was attended by about 150 people. It ended with no arrests, but some Belarusian politicians then had protocols drawn upon them.
belsat.eu/en/, BelaPAN
