In the evening of 12 May a man in mask with moustache, characteristic comb-over and a crown on his head appeared near Kirmash shopping center in the southeast part of Minsk. Many people recognised the first person of the state in him. The popular quotations could be heard from the man in mask: “I am not obliged to anyone,” “You will live badly, but not for long,” “I don’t want my authority to fall below the knees in the eyes of these people.” The odd man worried passers-by and asked if they recognised their president.
Mikola Statkevich: “We won’t play under scenario of authorities”
Mikola Statkevich, leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Narodnaya Hramada), says in case the authorities don’t liberalise the election process, the European coalition will support boycott of the parliamentary elections.
Freedom for Kazulin!
Activists of the civil campaign “European Belarus” hung out a big banner “Freedom for Kazulin!” in the Minsk center, on the bridge above Nyamiha Street.
Belarusians hang out banners on high-risers and national flags – on electrical wires
On 3 May activists of the civil campaign “European Belarus” hung out national flags and banners calling to release political prisoners Alyaksandr Kazulin, Andrei Kim and Syarhei Parsyukevich in the Minsk city district Zakhad.
From militia report: “Called to join the European Union, by that violating article 23.34”
Mikola Statkevich, one of the leaders of the civil campaign “European Belarus,” chairman of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Narodnaya Hramada), was sentenced to 10 days of arrest by the Pershamaiski district court of Minsk for participation in May Day demonstration. The militia report, drawn up against the politician, says: “he was waving a blue with yellow stars flag, called through a megaphone to join the European Union, by that violating article 23.34 of the Administrative Code.”
Day of Europe in Minsk under national flag
Some national white-red-white flags appeared above the roofs of Minsk buildings ahead of 1 May.
May Day not for everyone: arrests of participants of trade union demonstration in Minsk
More than 20 activists of the civil campaign “European Belarus” were detained near the National library in Minsk, where the official trade union celebrated May Day. Among the detained are Zmitser Barodka, Yauhen Afnahel, Andrei Babitski, the Young Front leaders Zmitser Dashkevich, Artur Finkevich, Zmitser Khvedaruk, and chairman of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Narodnaya Hramada) Mikola Statkevich.
Mikola Statkevich called to celebrate May Day in a dignified way
One of the leaders of the civil campaign “European Belarus”, the chairman of the “Narodnaya Hramada” Mikola Statkevich calls upon people to take part in a European May Day meeting.
Struggle for political prisoners release goes on
Banners demanding to release political prisoners appear in Minsk almost every day.
Andrei Sannikov: “Actions of some European officials lead to increase of repressions in Belarus”
Right after sentencing Belarusian oppositionists Andrei Kim and Syarhei Parsyukevich to long terms of imprisonment, Minsk was visited by Secretary General of the European Commission for Democracy through Law, better known as the Venice Commission (the Council of Europe’s advisory body) Gianni Buquicchio.