This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/25/protesters-arrested-in-belarus-during-opposition-rally

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Protesters arrested in Belarus during opposition rally Protesters arrested in Belarus during opposition rally
(35 minutes later)
Scores of protesters were arrested in the capital of Belarus on Sunday as supporters of the country’s repressed opposition tried to hold a march. Scores of people have been arrested in the Belarus capital, Minsk, as supporters of the country’s repressed opposition tried to hold a protest march.
The attempted demonstration in Minsk was to mark the 100th anniversary of the short-lived Belarusian People’s Republic of 1918-19, seen by the opposition as the foundation of an independent Belarus. The attempted demonstration was to mark the 100th anniversary of the short-lived Belarusian People’s Republic of 1918-19, seen by the opposition as the foundation of an independent Belarus.
The anniversary is traditionally a day for opponents of President Alexander Lukashenko’s authoritarian government to try to rally.The anniversary is traditionally a day for opponents of President Alexander Lukashenko’s authoritarian government to try to rally.
Journalists at the scene counted at least 70 people taken away by police. The human rights group Viasna said five of its observers were among those arrested.Journalists at the scene counted at least 70 people taken away by police. The human rights group Viasna said five of its observers were among those arrested.
One of Belarus’s most prominent opposition figures, Nikolai Statkevich, was arrested outside his home as he headed to the gathering, his wife Marina Adamovich said. He was sentenced to 10 days in jail, she added. One of Belarus’s most prominent opposition figures, Nikolai Statkevich, was arrested outside his home as he headed to the gathering, said his wife, Marina Adamovich. She said he had been sentenced to 10 days in jail.
Lukashenko, in office since 1994, sharply restricts opposition activities and independent news media.Lukashenko, in office since 1994, sharply restricts opposition activities and independent news media.
Although the march was banned, authorities allowed thousands to gather in a park to mark the independence proclamation’s 100th anniversary. Although the march was banned, authorities allowed thousands of people to gather in a park to mark the independence proclamation’s 100th anniversary.
“Today, it’s well visible that Lukashenko is the Soviet past and we are the future,” said a participant, 20-year-old student Mikhail Yaromchik. “Today it’s well visible that Lukashenko is the Soviet past and we are the future,” said one participant, Mikhail Yaromchik, a 20-year-old student.
Lukashenko said on Friday that the 1918 Belarus republic was a “dismal page of our history”, but nevertheless allowed 25 March to be publicly celebrated this year for the first time in his 24-year rule.Lukashenko said on Friday that the 1918 Belarus republic was a “dismal page of our history”, but nevertheless allowed 25 March to be publicly celebrated this year for the first time in his 24-year rule.
But while the authorities sanctioned a concert in central Minsk, the opposition march was banned. However, while the authorities sanctioned a concert in central Minsk, the opposition march was banned.
Thousands of “Freedom Day” protesters attended Sunday’s concert, many carrying the red and white flag of the 1918 republic, which has become an opposition symbol.Thousands of “Freedom Day” protesters attended Sunday’s concert, many carrying the red and white flag of the 1918 republic, which has become an opposition symbol.
Over 700 people were arrested in last year’s 25 March opposition rally, prompting warnings from the EU, which had lifted sanctions on Belarus after Lukashenko freed imprisoned opposition politicians in 2016. Last year more than 700 people were arrested during a 25 March opposition rally, prompting warnings from the EU, which had lifted sanctions on Belarus after Lukashenko freed imprisoned opposition politicians in 2016.
Analysts say authorities allowed the holiday to be celebrated to avoid last year’s unrest and a possible new reprimand from Brussels. Analysts said authorities allowed the holiday to be celebrated this year to avoid a repeat of last year’s unrest and a possible new reprimand from Brussels.
BelarusBelarus
Alexander LukashenkoAlexander Lukashenko
EuropeEurope
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on Google+Share on Google+
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content