Activists briefly detained in Svietlahorsk

Viachaslau Siuchyk, leader of the Razam opposition movement, and activist of vendors’ protests Ales Makayeu were detained by the police in Svietlahorsk on February 19. The activists had come to the town to meet with local entrepreneurs. They were expected to discuss the situation after the adoption of Decree No. 222, which actually paralyzed the work of Belarusian entrepreneurs selling clothes and shoes.

“After 11 p.m., we went to see Siuchyk and Makayeu to the railway station. However, eight police officers came up and detained them without any explanation. They were then brought to the Svietlahorsk police department, but the police officers refused to give their names or explain the reasons for the detention,” said Yury Liashenka.

A few hours later, Ales Makayeu’s wife said on her Facebook account that both activists had been released.