Action in memory of Yuri Zakharenko ends with mass arrests

09.05.2009

On May, 7, several hundred people participated in the action in memory of Yuri Zakharenko, former Interior minister, who was kidnapped 10 years ago. People were holding portraits of Yuri Zakharenko, white-red-white flags and flags of the European Union. The participants of the action were encircled by dozens of riot policemen.

Many well-known politicians participated in the action. Among them were Alexander Bukhvostov, Sergey Skrebets, Andrei Sannikov, Vintsuk Vyachorka and others. In the beginning of the action the police detained the chairman of the United Civil Party Anatoly Lebedko near Octyabrskaya Square. During the detention the politician was beaten in the kidney area.

After the end of the action the police started to arrest the participants. About 20 people were arrested in the area of Yakub Kolas Square. Among them were the leader of “Young Belarus” Arthur Finkevich, the activist of the “Young Democrats” Danila Borisevich, the activist of the campaign “European Belarus” Alexei Levkovich.

About 40 participants of the action were taken to the police department of Centralny district of Minsk. Oppositionists were beaten during the detention. After three hours the participants of the action were released. They were warned about prohibition to take part in unauthorized actions. In the nearest time young people are going to appeal to the General Prosecutor’s Office.

Actions in memory of general Zakharenko also took place in Grodno in Brest.