Barys Khamaida arrested ahead of dictator's visit to Vitebsk

Independent newspapers distributor Barys Khamaida has been detained in Vitebsk.

Khamaida is packing his belongings in the street – he distributes independent press in the city centre every day, Nasha Niva newspaper writes.

The chief of the Chyhunachny district police department and two lieutenant colonels came to detain Khamaida. Khamaida, who is able to answer telephone calls at the moment, says the policemen are polite, but he does not rule out he may be tried and taken into custody.

The opposition says a possible reason for his arrest is Alyaksandr Lukashenka, who is expected to visit Slavonic Bazaar festival tomorrow. There were cases in previous years when Khamaida was taken into custody ahead of Lukashenka's visits.