Maksim Vinyarski, an activist of the European Belarus civil campaign, has been protesting against the regime of Alyaksandr Lukashenka since the late 90s. On January 22, Vinyarski was detained.
A criminal case was initiated against the activist; Maksim Vinyarski is charged with ‘organising mass riots under Art. 293 of the Criminal Code). On Tueasday, his flat has been searched.
“The man has come into the spotlight as the party’s agitator calling for joining its ranks. He stuck leaflets and regularly participated in protests,” the Interior Ministry press service said in a statement.
During the raid, the police officers confiscated a computer, mobile phones, stickers, spray paints as well as white-red-white historical symbols of Belarus.
Maksim Vinyarski belongs to the so-called old guard opposition – a group of activists and politicians from various parties and associations. They have been standing against Lukashenka for many years by staging rallies and making attempts to run for parliament. Maksim Vinyarski has been repeatedly placed under arrest with no reason; in many cases, his being detained was a preventive measure taken by the authorities in the run-up to mass protests.
