Opposition rally dispersed near KGB building in Minsk (Photo, updated)

More than 20 people, among them famous human rights activists, were detained for participation in street actions in Minsk on Human Rights Day.

As the Charter’97 press center learnt, in the first half of the day, 8 activists of Belarusian youth organizations, dressed in makeshift prison clothing, came to the KGB building with tablets “I am an independent journalist”, “I am an independent observer”, “I am human rights activist” and other. The participants of the action went round a circle with their hands behind their heads near the entrance to the building.

Minister of internal affaires Uladzimir Navumau, who was probably returning to work after a lunch break, passed by the protesters. 5 minutes after a car with dozen of militiamen in sports suits drove up to the KGB building. Militiamen began to force the oppositionist out of Independence Avenue behind the KGB building where all of them were arrested.

The detained oppositionists spent two hours in the Tsentralny district militia department and were set free. No reports were drawn up against them. As the Charter’97 press center has learnt from Artur Finkevich, one of the leaders of “Young Belarus”, militiamen behaved in a rude way. When he tried to defend a guy, who was made to stand face to the wall and raise his hands, a militia officer hit him on his back to times.

Nearly an hour passed, and human rights activists, handing round texts Declaration of Human Rights, were arrested near GUM department store on Independence Avenue.

In total, more than 20 people including youth activists, distributing the declaration, were detained. Among the detained is Ales Byalyatski, vice president of the International Federation for Human Rights.

Human rights activists were released one and a half hour after the detention. No reports were drawn. Physical force was used against them during the detention.

A great number of riot militiamen can be seen in the center of Minsk today. They repress all attempts to hold rallies on Human Rights Day.

Photo ByMedia.net