Putin’s Visit Puts Center of Minsk in the State of Emergency

14.12.2007. Source: Charter`97.

Extraordinary safety measures have been taken in Minsk before Putin’s visit to Minsk. Putin is to take part in the session of the Supreme council of the ‘union state’.

Central avenues are swarming with policemen, soldiers of internal troops and special services representatives in mufti.

On Friday at about 8.30 a.m. people in sportswear were noticed in Nezalezhnastsi Avenue in Minsk. They were marching in the direction of the center of the city in groups of several dozens men, Telegraf informs with a reference to RFE/RL.

Besides, according to information of the Charter’97, law-enforcers in mufti are also staying in the yards of houses in Nezalezhnastsi Avenue and on their posts near the entrances to roofs of houses. They are clothed rather strange, in simple dark sweatpants pants and jackets.

Traffic police has announced that from 10 a.m. till 6.30 p.m. traffic will be partially restricted in a number of central streets, Interfax informs.

In particular, Minsk ring road from Dauhinauski Trakt till Tsimirazeu Street, Peramozhtsau Avenue, Nezalezhnastsi Avenue from Haradski Val towards the National Airport, Engels, Lenin, Zakharau, Kisialiou, Haradski Val, Ramanauskaya Slabada, Kalvaryiskaya Street up to Klara Zetkin Street will be closed for traffic.