On March 25, the Minsk police detained human rights activists Nasta Loyka, Andrus Krechka, Maxim Kavaliou, Tatsyana Samnikava who were about to be observers at a Freedom Day march in Yakub Kolas Square.
In the evening, they were released, but summoned to court.
Today’s hearing has been deferred to a later date; a court clerk has failed to give any reason for postponing.
Loyka, Krechka and Samnikava are charged with ‘participating in an unauthorised mass event’ (Art. 23.34-1 of the Belarusian Administrative Code). Kavaliou is charged with violation of order of mass events organising (Art. 23.34-3). Moreover, Samnikava will appear befor court for allegedly disobeying the police. According to her, the policemen used force to fingerprint and photograph her.
“I shouted that they hurt me, demanded to stop, but in vain,” Tatsyana told Belsat.
According to human rights defenders, more than a hundred people were arrested in Belarus (62 – in Minsk and 57 in the regions). Most of them were released later. Several persons remain behind bars.
On March 25, the Minsk police were hunting for human rights defenders and journalists who were about to cover and observe the march and concert in Minsk. Belsat TV journalists Katsyaryna Andreyeva, Syarhei Kavaliou, Lyubou Lunyova, Ihar Ilyash and Stas Ivashkevich were arrested. In the morning, the police hampered the work of Volha Czajczyc and Andrus Kozel. They were detained by the traffic police near their homes and released after their IDs were checked. But they were stopped again at the entrance to Minsk, Kozel was sent to a mental hospital.
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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. Although politician Mikalai Statkevich had not left his house for several days, the police grabbed him on Sunday morning. On Thursday, activists of the BPF Youth were detained when distributing invitations to the concert authorised by Minsk authorities.
After the concert, the authorities unexpectedly released Statkevich, Afnahel, Siuchyk, Vinyarski and Nyaklyayeu. According to the organisers, about 50,000 people attended the Independence feast.
March 25, 2018 was 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.
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