Dozens Arrested As Belarus Opposition Marks 'Freedom Day'
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published March 25, 2018 | 05:50 PM
Minsk, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Mar, 2018 ) :Belarusian authorities on Sunday arrested around 30 protesters ahead of a banned opposition march in Minsk while detaining activists across the country, human rights group Viasna said.
The Belarusian opposition is marking the 100th anniversary of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic of 1918-19 that it sees as the foundation of an independent Belarus. It accuses President Alexander Lukashenko of consciously erasing Belarusian identity and "russifying" the former Soviet republic.
Viasna said a 90-year-old man was among those arrested. Rights groups reported that at least 15 activists were arrested in the eastern Mogilev region and at least five in Minsk. Earlier, authorities detained opposition politicians Mikola Statkevich and Vladimir Nyaklyaev and 12 organisers of the march.
Lukashenko -- who said Friday that the Belarus republic was a "dismal page of our history" -- nevertheless allowed March 25 to be publicly celebrated this year for the first time in his 24-year rule.
But while the authorities sanctioned a concert in central Minsk the opposition march was banned. Thousands of "Freedom Day" protesters attended Sunday's concert, many carrying the red and white flag of the 1918 republic that has become an opposition symbol.
Over 700 people were arrested in last year's March 25 opposition march, prompting warnings from the EU, which had lifted sanctions on Belarus after Lukashenko freed imprisoned opposition politicians in 2016.
Analysts say authorities allowed the holiday to be celebrated to avoid last year's unrest and a possible new reprimand from Brussels. "This topic came up during Lukashenko's meeting with EU commissioners," said analyst Alexander Klaskovskiy.
"Europe sent a signal that authorities should let people celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Belarusian People's Republic." Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus since 1994, cracked down on the opposition following his re-election in 2010, jailing dozens.
Recent Stories
BISP embraces E-procurement: launches inaugural tender
Modi govt broken all records of oppression to win elections: President AJK
PM for further strengthening economic, trade ties with Turkiye
Administrative machinery actively checking price, weight of roti/naan: minister
Advisor asks tourists to avoid visiting Kaghan during current rains
Business community indebted to Ahsan Zafar for his unprecedented services: Yousu ..
Three Filipinos dead in UAE floods: officials
DC Larkana chairs meeting to review strategy for anti-Polio drive
Registration process under BISP continues in Sargodha
QAU announces scholarships for KP students
Prisoner commits suicide in Timergara Jail
RCB takes action against selling expired food items
More Stories From World
-
Three Filipinos dead in UAE floods: officials
24 minutes ago -
Global calls for calm after reported Israeli strike on Iran
19 minutes ago -
Iran blasts rattle global markets
49 minutes ago -
H5N1 strain of bird flu found in milk: WHO
49 minutes ago -
Court aims to wrap Trump jury selection ahead of opening arguments
1 hour ago -
Croatia top court bars president from becoming next PM
1 hour ago
-
Hindu nationalist Modi the favourite as India votes
2 hours ago -
French police surround Iran consulate in Paris: security source
2 hours ago -
Blinken says US 'not involved in any offensive operation'
2 hours ago -
Beijing half marathon runners stripped of medals after controversial finish
3 hours ago -
Sudanese rue shattered dreams as war enters second year
3 hours ago -
Eight killed in Russian strikes
3 hours ago