“Mopping up” ahead of Putin's visit?

Maksim Vinyarski, one of coordinators of European Belarus civil campaign, has been arrested.

The Maskouski district court sentenced him to 5 days in custody today.

Maksim Vinyarski's family learned this from an officer of the Maskouski district police department on the phone. He said a police report under article 17.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences (disorderly conduct) was drawn up against the European Belarus campaign activist. The policeman did not say the name of the judge and the time when the activist had been detained, charter97.org learned from Vinyarski's sister.

We remind Young Front activists Mikalai Dzemidzenka, Dzmitry Kramyanetski and Raman Vasilyeu remain at a detention centre after their terms in custody had been extended. The mopping up operation is likely to be connected with Vladimir Putin's forthcoming visit to Minsk. The authorities seem to fear possible protest actions.