25.03.2008 14 participants of the Freedom Day celebrations detained in Baranavichy

The police detained a group of people on their way to lay flowers to the Cross of Suffering in Baranavichy. All of them were taken to Baranavichy city police department for giving explanations and clarification. In some time two disabled and two teenagers were released. 10 people were taken to the detention center for drawing up reports and trials tomorrow.

25.03.2008 51 detained in Savetski police department

The human rights center "Viasna" found out, the police took 51 participants of the peaceful Freedom Day action to Savetski police department. They were brought on a police bus and police trucks. According to the detained, on the way to the police station they were beaten by riot policemen. There are 3 teenagers among the detained. The police is to release them in three hours. Now the police are video recording them.

25.03.2008 21 detained in Maskouski police department

According to our information, 19 Belarusian and 2 Polish citizens were taken to Maskouski police department. There are 25 people in Savetski police department. The number of people taken to Centralny police department is unknown. We are trying to find out the names of the detained people.

25.03.2008 Nasha Niva journalists brutally detained

Journalists of independent newspaper Nasha Niva: photographer Andrei Liankevich and reporter Siamion Pechanko were detained near Viktory Square in Minsk. According to preliminary information, Pechanko is being taken to Maskouski police department. Liankevich was severely beaten during detention.

25.03.2008 Police begins mass detentions of Freedom Day participants

Just as the minister of internal affairs promised, armed forces of special police departments were used against participants of the peaceful rally in Minsk. The police officers use force to squeeze the protesters out from Yakub Kolas square in the direction of the Academy of Sciences. Ales Lapistki Junior is among the first of the detained.

A brutal fight started near Victory Square: armed riot policeman grab the participants of the celebration demonstration near the Place of Arts and throw them into police trucks.

25.03.2008 Picket in Vitebsk ended with detentions

Today Vitebsk activists organized a picket in the center of the city. The picket commemorated the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian Democratic Republic. Several activists held white and red balloons and umbrellas. Women unfolded embroidered towel with the symbols of BDR. In a couple of minutes after the beginning they were approached by policemen who detained Barys Khamaida, Vadzim Barshcheuski, Alena Zaleskaya, and Antanina Pivanos.

24.03.2008 Four Zhodzina activists arrested for 7 days

Today Zhodzina city court tried organizers of the mass action dedicated to the Freedom Day. Paval Krasouski, Yuras Zhylka, Aliaksandar Kamarouski, and Yury Silkin, accused of organization of an unauthorized action, were sentenced to 7 days in jail.

24.03.2008 Aliaksei Lapitski in center of attention of undercover policemen

On March 21st, at 8.30 a.m. a stranger in black jacket knocked on the doors of Aliaksei Lapitski, human rights defender and member of BPF party in Zhodzina. The stranger said he was from police and wanted to talk to Mr. Lapitski.

22.03.2008 Homel students prohibited to celebrate Liberty Day

The administration of Homel State University warned its students that it would be ‘wrong’ to take part in the upcoming March 25 events in Minsk.

22.03.2008 March 25 action applicants threatened with jail

The politicians and civil activists that have applied for conducting a demonstration on March 25 were warned by Minsk authorities that in case of any disobedience to the police they would find themselves in prison.

17.03.2008 Constitution Day: Action in Homel

An action dedicated to Constitution Day was held in Homel on March 15.

17.03.2008 Action in support of Tibet held in Minsk

The action of solidarity with Tibetan people took place in Minsk at 4.30pm today. Activists of the campaign “Jeans – for Freedom” organised it near the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.

14.03.2008 Siarhei Parsiukevich Gets Official Charges

The leader of Vitsebsk entrepreneurs, political prisoner Siarhei Parsiukevich has been officially accused by the prosecutor’s office on violation of Article 364 (‘violence or a threat of violence against a policeman’) of the Criminal Code of Belarus.

13.03.2008 State Department Store Demands 28 Million Rubles from Participants of Entrepreneurs’ Protest Action

HUM department store in Minsk has raised a 28-million invoice for participants of the entrepreneurs’ rally on 10 January, an activist of the United Civil Party Mikhail Pashkevich said to Nasha Niva.

13.03.2008 Authorities Demand 125 Million Rubles from Participants of Entrepreneurs’ Action

The Young Front activist Uladzimir Siarheyeu, accused of organization of the protest rally of entrepreneurs, was invited to come to the investigation department of Minsk city executive committee for familiarization with the materials of the criminal case on 14 March.