Uladzimir Pleshchanka and Aliaksandr Salawian Detained for Unauthorized Picket

According to RFE/RL, the members of Vitsebsk branch of Christian-Democratic Party BPF Uladzimir Pleshanka and Aliaksandr Salawian were detained for holding the posters “Collection of signatures against the alliance treaty, illegally signed by Aliaksandr Lukashenka” and “Went to election – supported the existing regime”.

Having read these words, the patrol policemen copied them and drove away (Mr. Pleshchanka thinks they wanted to consult with their authorities). Soon they returned, took both picketers to Vitsebsk Chyhunachny Borough Police Board and composed there reports about unauthorized picketing. They also wanted to detain Mr. Khamayda who distributed “Belorusskaya Delovaya Gazeta”, but one of them remembered that they had already detained him many times and then had to release without composing any reports, as distribution of newspapers is not an administrative violation.