Protesters detained on May Day in Minsk

At least nine people were arrested by the police before and during the protest in Minsk, which was organized by the REP Trade Union. The gathering had been authorized by the city administration.

Five of them are associates of the opposition leader Mikalai Statkevich. The activists were brought to the police station and are expected to stand trials today.

Another opposition activist, Yauhen Afnahel, was briefly detained last morning. He was eventually released without charges.

At least three activists of the anarchist movement, including former political prisoner Viachaslau Kasinerau, were arrested after they lit flares and displayed a banner reading “Freedom, Equality, Self-Government”.