Opposition leaders detained after protest in Maladziečna
Reporters and observers waiting in the lobby of the Maladziečna city police department after the detention of opposition leaders. March 10, 2017
Several opposition figures, including United Civil Party leader Anatol Liabedzka, Yuras Hubarevich, leader of the For Freedom movement, and Belarusian Christian Democracy co-chair Vital Rymasheuski, were detained yesterday evening after a protest staged in the city of Maladziečna.
Police officers in plain clothes also detained several other protesters.
All of them were brought to the police department and charged with “illegal picketing” (Art. 23.34 of the Administrative Code). The detainees were told that they would have to remain in custody before the trial.
Reporters and observers were not allowed to follow the detainees, after the doors of the police department building were locked.
The protest concerned the controversial Decree No. 3, which introduced a special charge for unemployed people.
