Mahilou resident detained for picket against Russian air bases

Activist Yury Novikau was detained in Mahilou.

Yury Novikau, the chair of the committee of the Mahilou regional coalition of democratic forces, was detained in Mahilou after democratic activists had ended to collect signatures against plans to set up Russian air bases in Belarus.

A marathon against foreign military bases was launched in Mahilou today. The activists were collecting signatures in Leninskaya Street as part of the marathon.

A policeman, who took Novikau to a police station, says the activist was handing out leaflets and collecting signatures, Radio Svaboda reports.

The activist may be set free after giving explanations, the policeman says.

Photo: RFE/RL