Action of solidarity in Belarus: Freedom for Barazenka! (Photo,video, being updated)

Several actions demanding to release political prisoners were held in the center of Minsk on the Day of Belarusian Solidarity, November 16. Activists of the civil campaign “European Belarus”, “Young Front” and “Young Belarus” came to squares of the Belarusian capital carrying portraits of Alyaksandr Barazenka.

One of the rallies of solidarity took place at Yakub Kolas square. Activists of the civil campaign “European Belarus” and “Young Front” holding portraits of Alyaksandr Barazenka stood near the Philharmonic Hall. The young people shouted “Freedom for Political Prisoners!”, “Freedom for Barazenka!” The action lasted for 15 minutes, none of the participants was detained.

Activists of the campaign “European Belarus” carried out an action near the Kamarouski Market. The young oppositionists, standing with portraits of the political prisoners, attracted attention of passers-by. People of different age came up to the participants of the action and asked about Alyaksandr Barazenka, arrested for participation in a peaceful rally of entrepreneurs.

More than 20 activists of the initiative “Young Belarus” took to October square in the evening of November 16. The oppositionists holding portraits of Alyaksandr Barazenka stood only some minutes and were forced out of the square by riot militiamen in civvies.

Activists of the “European Belarus” tried to follow a route Department Store-KGB building- detention facility in Valadarski Street. The young oppositionists with portraits of the political prisoner attached to their chests and backs and with their arms behind heads, marched to the detention facility where Barazenka is kept now. At the intersection of Independence Avenue and Valadarski Street, riot militiamen in civvies run up to them, catching oppositionists and pushing them into inner yards. However, a part of the protesters managed to reach Haradski Val Street under militia escort where they were set free.

A solidarity action was also held near Chalyuskintsau Park, where young oppositionist came with portraits of Alyaksandr Barazenka.

On November 16, activists of the “European Belarus” campaign pasted portraits of the opposition leaders and a journalist disappeared in Belarus in metro and pedestrian subways in the Minsk center. Maria Kasyan and Marharyta Karol were detained at metro station Academy of Sciences. The girls were searched in a militia station of metro. They were confiscated portraits but reports against them weren’t drawn up and the girls were set free.

Actions of solidarity were held in Belarusian regions – Brest, Salihorsk, Hrodna, Vitsebsk, Mahilou, Homel, Mozyr and other cities.

Activist of the civil campaign “European Belarus” Alyaksandr Barazenka was arrested on October 27, in the building of the Preliminary Investigation Committee of the City Militia Department of the Minsk city executive committee, where he had been called for questioning. The oppositionist is one of the figures of the Process of 14, a criminal case, instigated on article 342 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus against participants of a peaceful rally of entrepreneurs, held in Minsk on January 10, 2008. It is remarkable that he was arrested just after the European Union lifted sanctions on high ranking Belarusian officials.

10 young oppositionists, convicted over the same case, are political prisoners, too, as they are sentenced to restraint of liberty ad can be thrown in prison at any moment.

Photo by Yulya Darashkevich, "Nasha Niva"

Photo by Yulya Darashkevich, "Nasha Niva"