Photo: Alexander Pereselsky / youtube.com
Grodno, 31 may 2020
Photo: Alexander Pereselsky / youtube.com
On Sunday Belarusian human rights activists have reported the arrest of at least 17 social activists and representatives of initiative groups during the pre-election pickets for collection of signatures in support of nomination of Svetlana Tikhanovski a presidential candidate. The list of detainees posted Sunday on the website of the Belarusian human rights centre “Viasna”, reports TASS.
Opposition leaders Mikola Statkevich and Paval Sevyarynets has previously called social media “to defend Sergei Tikhanovski and the future of the country” and to join in a legitimate election Svetlana Tikhanovski pickets in all regional centres in 12 hours on Sunday. Mass rallies are held in all regional centers of Belarus.
A large number of people gathered in support of Svetlana Tikhanovski, whose husband, blogger Sergei tikhanovski, along with several supporters were detained in Grodno and is now in jail in Minsk. Arrests also in Baranovichi, Vileika, Vitebsk, Grodno, Gomel, Kobrin, Molodechno, Bridges, Pinsk, szczuczyn.
Earlier in the Belarusian capital have detained one of leaders of Belarusian opposition, Nikolai Statkevich.
In Minsk the police ordered people to disperse from a mass picket to collect signatures near the Kamarouski market, stating that the event turned into an unauthorized rally. However, the audience booed the representatives of law enforcement bodies, they chanted “Shame!”.
Pickets continue at noon, people for hours stand in line to sign up for the candidates, listening to music, chanting “Freedom.” In the Belarusian capital traffic police fined drivers, signals in support of the pickets.
Near the Kamarouski market on may 31 also work the initiative group for nominating presidential candidates, the former head of the high technology Park (HTP) of Belarus, former presidential aide Valery Tsepkalo, former Chairman of the Board of Belgazprombank Viktor Babariko other alternative to the incumbent President candidates for the post of head of state.
Opposition leaders Mikola Statkevich and Paval Sevyarynets has previously called social media “to defend Sergei Tikhanovski and the future of the country” and to join in a legitimate election Svetlana Tikhanovski pickets in all regional centres in 12 hours on Sunday. Mass rallies are held in all regional centers of Belarus.