Freedom Day: mass preventive repressions underway (updated)
Dozens political, civil and trade union activists, as well as a number of journalists, have been detained today across Belarus ahead of the Freedom Day celebrations scheduled for 6 p.m., independent media report (www.nn.by, www.svaboda.org, www.vialejka.org, www.euroradio.by, www.zapraudu.info, www.new.racyja.com etc.).
Others have been warned of possible prosecution in case of their participation in the forthcoming rally.
Simultaneously, the administration of Minsk detention center in Akrestsin Street has reportedly released numerous administrative prisoners, awaiting possible detainees.
Meanwhile, the location of the authorized rally in Minsk Yanka Kupala Park is currently blocked by the police. There are dozens riot police buses nearby. The police say a bomb has been found in Yanka Kupala Sqaure, preventing anyone from entering it.
Journalists say they have been repeatedly banned to take photos.
Another Minsk location of the Freedom Day Celebrations – Yakub Kolas Square – has not yet been blocked by the police. However, there are numerous policemen and plain-clothes KGB agents everywhere. Reports say the police were ordered to detain everyone approaching the square.
A number of youth opposition activists have been reportedly detained in downtown Minsk. Aleh Korban, leader of the Young Democrats youth movement, together with 15 other activists have been detained near Yanka Kupala Square, as they were going to lay flowers to Yanka Kupala monument.
Mikola Dzemidzenka, deputy chair of the Young Front movement, has been detained in Yakub Kolas Square.
as not yet been blocked by the police. However, there are numerous policemen and plain-clothes KGB agents everywhere. Reports say the police were ordered to detain everyone approaching the square.
Still, a number of people managed to come to Yakub Kolas Square. Plain-clothes riot policemen say the people should leave the square. Journalists are not allowed to cover the event.
As of 6.30 p.m., there are some 50 people in Yakub Kolas Square. The police have blocked the underground exits from it.
The KGB agents have detained Viktar Ivashkevich, coordinator of the European Belarus campaign.
At 6.40, some 250 people started marching along Nezalezhnastsi Avenue, but soon were blocked by the riot police.
As of 6.50, there are some 60 persons in Yakub Kolas Square. Some 100 people are standing across Nezalezhnastsi Avenue.
There are several dozen people near Yanka Kupala Park, refusing to leave.
The police have pushed the rest of the demonstrators from Yakub Kolas Square. Three youth opposition activists (Vika Ladzis, Ivan Shyla and Anrei Tychyna) have been detained by the police.
The police detained Tasiana Kim, mother of former political prisoner Andrei Kim. She has been reportedly taken to the police station.
The people who have gathered near Yanka Kupala Square have eventually left. The police did not allow them to lay flowers to the monument of Yanka Kupala.
A passer-by knocked down by the police is said to be going to appeal the violence.
At least 30 persons are said to be currently kept in Minsk Savetski District police department.
The overall number of detainees, as well as their whereabouts, is yet unknown.
As of 7.45, there are still several dozen people near Yanka Kupala Park. Ihar Yauseyeu, deputy chief of Minsk city police, said they would be detained unless they leave.
At about 8 p.m., the rest of the demonstrators were dispersed by the police in Kastrychnistkaya Square. Dozens were reportedly detained.
