18th day of political prisoner Autukhovich’s hunger strike. 4th day of protest

An action of solidarity with political prisoner Mikalai Autukhovich, who went on hunger strike, continues in Minsk on May 4.

Leader of the “Young Belarus” Artur Finkevich, “Young Front” activists Anton Koipish and Mikola Dzyamidzenka were detained before the action of solidarity with the political prisoner began on October square. They were arrested by riot militiamen in mufti, who didn’t show any documents to the young people and took them away to the Tsentralny district militia department for verification of the identity.

Riot militiamen also check identity card of all journalists on the square.

Activists of the civil campaign “European Belarus” sat on ground in front of October square, on the other side of Independence Avenue, in protest. The oppositionists were holding portraits of political prisoners Mikalai Autukhovich, Yury Lyavonau, and Uladzimir Asipenka. Riot militiamen in uniform and in mufti surrounded the protesters. They threatened the demonstrators and demanded them to disperse. Famous Belarusian figures – Charter’97 coordinator Zmitser Bandarenka, “European Belarus” activists Zmitser Barodka, Maksim Vinyarski, Yauhen Afnahel, former political prisoners Andrei Kim, participants of the Process of 14 Maksim Dashuk and others sat on the ground in protest.

The participants of the action unfurled a big national white-red-white flag and shouted “Freedom to Political Prisoners!” and “long Live Belarus!”

The action lasted for 30 minutes. Riot militiamen were standing opposite the protesters trying to hide them from passers-by and cars.

It should be reminded that of solidarity with political prisoners are held in Minsk every day at 6.00 p.m. the Belarusians take to streets to support the political prisoners, one of whom, Mikalai Autukhovich is on indefinite hunger strike, menacing his life.

At the end of the action, youth activists called on the Belarusians to go on October square of Minsk on May 5 at 6.00 p.m.