Hundreds detained in Minsk protest Updated

25.03.2017 Tags: freedom of peaceful assembly, detention

https://spring96.org/en/news/86443 2017 2017-03-25T17:08:20+0300 2017-03-25T17:08:20+0300 2017-03-25T23:31:50+0300 en https://spring96.org/files/images/sources/minsk-25-sakavika-2017-1.jpg The Human Rights Center “Viasna” The Human Rights Center “Viasna” The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

Several hundred people have been detained during a protest in central Minsk today. These include dozens domestic and foreign journalists.

Some reporters were soon released. Other detainees have been brought to various police departments.

The crackdown on today's Freedom Day demonstration was marred by extreme brutality. There were hundreds of riot policemen, including wearing guns, water canons and military vehicles.

Many protesters were reportedly beaten. See list of detainees here (in Belarusian).

: Protesters on the premises of a police department in Minsk following large-scale detentions in Minsk. 25 March 2017. Photo: Anton Matolka

Dozens were detained ahead of the protests across the country, including opposition leader Uladzimir Niakliayeu in Brest and human rights defender Siarhei Rusetski in Biaroza.

UPD. According to latest estimates, around 700 people were detained today. Most of them were finally released, either without charges or after facing charges of "illegal picketing". Around 100 protesters will spend the night at the police departments.