Over 500 detained in protests across Belarus
Over 500 protesters were detained in some twenty demonstrations held yesterday in various parts of Belarus, including 160 persons in Minsk, the Interior Ministry said. 350 persons will stand administrative trials, it added.
Meanwhile, Viasna’s database features some 300 names.
The Minsk protest was the biggest demonstration in weeks. Peaceful protesters were again met with excessive violence on the part of the police, who indiscriminately used rubbers bullets and stun grenades to disperse unarmed people. At least two persons were reportedly injured as a result of direct use of non-lethal weapons.
Similar protests were held in Brest, Viciebsk, Lida, Hrodna, Navapolack and other cities. In Lida, police used tear gas. In Hrodna and Navapolack, the police used unmotivated violence to detain dozens of protesters.