ВВС: Statkevich's Resolution And Uncompromising Stand Rendered Him Undisputed Leader Of Belarus

On March 25, veteran of street protests Mikalai Statkevich will lead down the rally.

This Saturday, on Freedom Day, another March of disgruntled Belarusians will be held in Minsk. On the day of the 99th anniversary of the proclamation of the Belarusian People's Republic, the demonstrators will again demand the repeal of the decree "on parasites, BBC writes.

During the previous protests, several leaders of the opposition were arrested and sentenced to 15 days of administrative arrest. On March 25, veteran of street protests Mikalai Statkevich, who is reputed to be a fiery revolutionary and personal enemy of Aliaksandr Lukashenka, will lead the rally.

After serving two terms in prison, without ever appealing to Lukashenka for clemency, Statkevich has won respect of the opposition-minded part of the society.

Statkevich's resolution and uncompromising stand have rendered him the undisputed leader of the campaign against the tax on parasitism. The detention of other opposition leaders, whose "fifteen days" are to expire after the march, has only nailed down this status.

Rallies against the authorities' intentions to charge 200 dollars annually from people, who do not have work, have been going on in Belarus for more than a month. Lukashenka has made concessions and temporarily, until the end of the year, abolished the "tax on parasites". However, the protests haven’t stopped.

Belarus has not seen such an upsurge in the protest movement for several years.