Belarusian Ambassador called on the carpet by Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Ministry

Valyantsin Vyalichka was summoned to the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine in connection with the incident with Ukrainian flags during the concert of Okean Elzy band in Minsk.

“Novy Region” has been informed about that by the spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Ukraine Yevhen Perebyinis.

“Yesterday we had a conversation with the Ambassador of Belarus. He was invited to the Foreign Affairs Ministry in order to explain the reasons of such a behavior of Belarusian policemen during that event,” Mr Perebyinis said. “The explanation was the same as the one offered by the Foreign Affairs Ministry on Twitter, he told that there are instructions that ban use of flags during such mass events.” “But it’s not just instructions, but the thing is, that certain disrespect to official state symbols of the friendly neighbouring state had been demonstrated. And our question was about that. So we hope that certain conclusions would be made,” the spokesperson for the MFA of Ukraine emphasized.

We remind that the concert of Okean Elzy was held on November 21 in the evening and coincided with the Day of Dignity and Freedom, which was celebrated in Ukraine for the first time in connection with the anniversary of Maidan events’ beginning. Some fans of the group carried national flags and other symbols of Ukraine to the concert, which were seized by the entrance to Minsk-Arena by riot policemen. The incidents continued inside as well, as some listeners had managed to bring flags and ribbons in national colours into the audience hall.

Photo: BelTA