Action of solidarity with political prisoners cracked down by riot militia. Anatol Lyabedzka beaten up

An action demanding to release opposition activists, unlawfully arrested after the blast in Minsk on 4 July, was dispersed today at October square in Minsk. More than 50 people came to the square with portraits of political prisoners, and unfurled national Belarusian and EU flags. More than 100 riot militiamen were thrown against the people.

Participants of the actions were forced out from October square to International Street, and then along Yanka Kupala Street to Bahdanovich Street . A group of people, who continue to carry portraits of prisoners of conscience in hands and EU flags, was moving escorted by riot militia.

Many famous politicians visited the action, among them are deputy heads of the Belarusian Popular Front Viktar Ivashkevich and Vintsuk Vyachorka, leader of the United Civil Party Anatol Lyabedzka, former member of the “house of representatives” Syarhei Skrabyets, Young Front leader Artur Finkevich, activists of the “European Belarus” civil campaign Palina and Paval Kuryanovichs and others.

The demonstrators shouted “Long live Belarus!” and “Freedom for political prisoners!”

Forcing people out from the square, riot militia officers beat brutally leader of the United Civil Party Anatol Lyabedzka . The politician had to seek for medical care, he had hematomas on chest, abdominal area and legs.

All attempts to break cordon were stopped by riot militia officers. They caught people and pushed them into the militia “ring”. A riot militiaman beat a photo camera out of a journalist’s hands when he tried to take pictures of the event.

Crackdown of a peaceful action evoked protests of passers-by. Many of them express their indignation at unlawful actions of riot militiamen, who didn’t allow the people to express their protest.

It should be reminded that 13 opposition activists have been detained after the blast in Minsk on 4 July. 10 of then remain in prisons. Human rights activists consider their arrests to be unlawfully and politically motivated.