Over 100 participants of rock festival detained in Vileika district

According to a policeman on duty, the young people were detained for administrative offenses, however not specifying the exact charges.

A festival entitled Burning Summer Open Air featuring metal, hardcore, punk and hardcore bands was held on August 24 near the village of Asipovichy. It brought together young people from different cities of Belarus.

As reported by one of the participants of the festival, Homel resident Zhanna Mikheyeva, at around 19.00 there suddenly appeared police and traffic police. "The groups had to stop their performance, and the participants of the festival began to be detained and taken to Vileika district police department, without any explanations. The policemen had no badges, they were asked to introduce themselves and explain the reason for the detention, but all to no avail," said the girl.

Zhanna Mikheyeva does not know exactly how many people were taken to the police department. According to her, the festival was attended by about 400 people and about 100-150 were detained.

BelaPAN learned from Vileika district police department that the detention of young people did take place. However, when asked about the number of detainees, they said that the information is "official."