Freedom Day: Action finishes without detentioans

19.11 "Young Belarus" walks towards Yakub Kolas Square and “White Freedom” stops near “Riga”

A group of youth headed by “Young Belarus” has started walking along Independence Square towards Yakub Kolas Square. The leader of the movement Artur Finkevich has informed that they are following their initial itinerary to check how democratic the Belarusian authorities are. “If the police block our way, - said Finkevich, we will talk to them”. Pavel Sevyarynets and Vital Rymasheuski are also in the group.
A line of special police troops has blocked that street.

At the same time, representatives of “White freedom” who headed for Bangalore Square have stopped near the “Riga” supermarket.



18.51 Participants of the meeting suggested making a line along the avenue

The participants of the meeting in Minsk have been suggested making a line along Independence Avenue. Alyaksei Shein, an activist of the steering committee for the creation of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party has made the suggestion.

According to him, passers-by will be able to see that Minsk is celebrating the Day of Will.

18.49 State TV group come to make report about “White Freedom”

“White Freedom” is walking with such slogans as “Stop drinking – go struggle!” and others.  A car with BT reporters has approached them. The police are following them but do not interfere.

18.45 "White Freedom" separates from meeting and heads for Bangalore Square

A group of a few dozen members of an unregistered organization “White Freedom” has separated from the main meeting. At first they tried to walk towards the National Library along Independence Avenue, however, special police troops blocked them.

Members of "White Freedom" decided not to create any conflicts with the police and walked towards Bangalore Square along Surhanau Street. Their group is encircled by the police.


18.34 Police promise not to disrupt the action if there are no disturbances

The press secretary of Minsk police Alyaksandr Lastouski has talked to journalists. He has promised that the police will not disrupt the action if its participants manage to avoid disturbances.

A police information group consisting of two people is working at the meeting. Two policemen with dogs have also been noticed.


18.23 The leader of the steering committee for the creation of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party Vital Rymasheuski made a speech after Yanukevich.


18.17 The present commemorate writer Kastus Tarasau

The BNF leader Alyaksei Yanukevich has suggested that the present should commemorate a writer Kastus Tarasu with a minute’s silence.

The author of well-known historical stories, novels and essays died in the capital the other day.


18.15 BNF party leader Alyaksei Yanukevіch starts Freedom Day meeting

About a thousand people have gathered near the Academy of Sciences. According to the ERB reporter, a lot of white-red-white flags together with flags of the European Union and the movement “For Freedom” can be seen there.

The meeting started at 6 p.m. The BNF party leader Alyaksei Yanukevіch had to use a megaphone to start the meeting because all the loudspeaker equipment had been detained by the police.


17.58 Head of Minsk police talks to the present

The head of Minsk police, MG Leanid Farmahei has talked to the participants of the celebration of the Freedom Day who have gathered near the Academy of Sciences. He has claimed that “a group of destructive elements from a neighboring state” has arrived at the action.

According to the policeman, they have arrived to organize provocations. Farmahei has not named the state or the number of “destructive elements”. Farmahei has asked the present to inform the police about suspicious people nearby.


17.45 Policemen detain loudspeaker equipment in Minsk

The driving inspectorate has detained the car that had to deliver loudspeaker equipment needed for the meeting 200 meters away from the Academy of Sciences. The equipment had to be used for leaders’ speeches and bards’ performances.

The car was delivered to Central District Department of the Interior because it was said to be stolen. A BNF activist Victar Ivashkevich has informed ERB about it.