Over 100 detained in Minsk protest

At least 118 people were detained yesterday after around a thousand protesters, mostly women, gathered in central Minsk to protest the abduction of Coordination Council leader Maryia Kalesnikava the previous morning.

The peaceful protest started outside the Kamarouski food market, where three women were detained. The gathering was followed by a procession, which was soon blocked by a dozen minivans with no license plates and several prisoner transport vehicles. As a result, over a hundred people were taken to district police departments and are expected to stand trials today.

Several women trying to prevent riot police from detaining a male protester in Minsk. September 8, 2020. Photo: tut.by

Following their earlier tactics, riot police in balaclavas mainly targeted male protesters, although refraining from using batons. Several dozens of women were also detained.