First opposition action in Minsk this year (Photo)

A solidarity action was held in Minsk center on January 16 under surveillance of dozens of riot militiamen in mufti.

50 activists of the civil campaign European Belarus, Young Front, Young Belarus, the BPF Youth, Young Democrats gathered at October square at 6 p.m. to demand the authorities to release political prisoners and stop repressions against the opposition.

The action was held in an unusual way, the demonstrators stood not along Independence Avenue, but on the steps of the Trade Union Palace. People were holding portraits of political prisoners Mikalai Autukhovich, Uladzimir Asipenka, Artsyom Dubski, a banner “Freedom to Political Prisoners!”, national white-red-white flags and a EU flag. Calls “No to Repressions!”, “Freedom to Political Prisoners!”, “No to Political Terror”, “Long Live Belarus” were heard.

European Belarus activist Aleh Ladutska and Young Belarus leader Artur Finkevich addressed the mob through a megaphone. The youth leader stressed the people of Belarus needs solidarity today as never before, because the presidential electoral campaign is expected in the country, so the authorities traditionally tighten repressions against the dissent. According to them, the year 2010 may become the last year of dictatorship, so Belarusians must defend their rights for freedom by taking part in protest street actions.

Dozens of riot militiamen in mufti tried to snatch the megaphone and damaged the microphone. Then they snatched white-red-white flags.

The action took 30 minutes. A lot of Minsk dwellers, who came to the skating rink on October square, could see it. Yauhen Afnahel, a European Belarus coordinator, called on Belarusians to gather at the square on February 8 – on the day when Vaukavysk entrepreneurs Mikalai Autukhovich and Uladzimir Asipenka were arrested.

“I call on everyone to come to October square in Minsk at 6 p.m. February 8. A year ago Mikalai Autukhovich and Uladzimir Asipenka were arrested. I call to express our support and solidarity. Each of us has gone through repressions, many of us were in prisons, each of us knows how important it is to know that people are struggling for you at freedom. We have seen today, as on other solidarity days, the nervous reaction of the authorities to our meetings on the square, we see that the authorities are afraid of street actions of protest. This demonstrates our power and power of our solidarity,” a European Belarus coordinator said in an interview to charter97.org.

Photo by Yulia Darashkevich, “Nasha Niva”

Photo by Yulia Darashkevich, “Nasha Niva”

Photo by Yulia Darashkevich, “Nasha Niva”

Photo by Yulia Darashkevich, “Nasha Niva”

Photo by Yulia Darashkevich, “Nasha Niva”