Mass arrests and beatings were the results of the peaceful commemoration of the Belarusian National Republic´s 90th anniversary. According to belarusian human rights defenders, about five thousand people took part. More than 100 were detained. Among the injured detainees is Andrei Lyankevich, a photographer who works for the independent Belarusian newspaper Nasha Niva. (26-MAR-08)
Photo by Aleksei Gromov www.nn.by and charter97.org
25 March 1918 is the date of the foundation of the Belarusian National Republic (BNR). BNR existed for several months before it was annexed by the Soviet Union and is still a symbol of Belarusian independence. Every year, thousands of Belarusians take part in the peaceful actions. Belarusian President Aliaksandr Lukashenko’s government does not recognise this date. The official independence day is celebrated on 4 July – the day of Minsk’s liberation from fascism after the 2nd World War. Two years ago, during the same rally, the former presidential candidate Aliaksandr Kasulin, left, was arrested and sentenced to 5.5 years´ imprisonment.
Violence
Hundreds of policemen and riot police used violence against demonstrators, who were trying to gather at the center square of Minsk. Many among the participants were beaten and more than were detained. Emergency health units treated demonstrators with broken ribs and head injuries. The authorities had only allowed demonstrations in the outskirts of Minsk.
The Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) reports that photographer for “Nasha Niva” Andrei Lyankevich was among those beaten by riot police. Lyankevich was arrested while at work, covering the demonstration.
Arrests, prison sentences and fines
26 March the court trials started. For an updated list of those arrested, click here. Among the detainees are young activists, and members of different political parties and movements, and journalists. The sentences ranged from five to fifteen days of imprisonment or fines payment (equivalent to 320 Euro). Some of the detainees were reportedly beaten at the police stations. Belarusian human rights activists condemn the police´s brutality.
