Nikolai Khalezin: «Arrests of opposition activists reveal authorities’ abnormal and unwise behaviour»

“Free Theater” leader Nikolai Khalezin commented on the arrest of democratic activist Paval Yukhnevich. “What I feel is that the authorities are not going to stop and still intend to cross the line. If this happens, the issues of negotiations and Europe’s loyal attitude towards the present regime will be closed. And then the authorities will stay face to face with the nation. I don’t think it will be good for the authorities, because on the eve of the Belarusian default which can occur in the near future, there’ll be nobody to defend the authorities. And the arrests of organizers of the European March and the audience of the “Free Theater” reveal authorities’ abnormal and unwise behaviour,” Nikolai Khalezin told press-center of Charter’97.

Today democratic activist Paval Yukhnevich wasn’t released from the special distribution center in Akrestsin street after 7 days of arrest for the European March arrangements. He was taken to Savetski district court of Minsk. A protocol was filed for “coarse language” after his visiting a play in “Free Theater.”

August 22, at 8.30 p.m. soldiers of special police unit (former OMON) burst into a private house located close to Bangalore Square in Minsk, where the first night of “Free Theater” was being held. 5 hours later viewers and actors were released. Protocol was filed only on youth activist Paval Yukhnevich.