Mass Arrests Of Independent Observers In Minsk

Minsk police has detained about 70 participants of the constitutive meeting of the public association of independent observers “Partnerstva”. The incident took place on October 29 in a cinema “Tsentralny”, where a hall had been rented by observers. Policemen appeared in 40 minutes after the meeting’s beginning, and classified the meeting as an unsanctioned mass rally. All detainees have been taken to the police department of Maskouski district of Minsk. The organizers of the convention have spent two days in prison, and are to stand trial today.

The head of the “Partnerstva” initiative Mikalay Astrejka before the arrest told to Radio Svaboda that the meeting was held in connection with the new requirements of the Justice Ministry, which prohibit activities of unregistered associations.

“The Justice Ministry demands to register, and police do not allow us to hold a meeting. That’s why it is obvious that the authorities are not disposed to work either with associations or with parties. They do not want them to be registered,” M. Astrejka said.

After giving written explanations, about 60 activists of the “Partnerstva” were released. Reports about administrative infringement (for illegal meeting) have been drawn up against four organizers of the meeting, including the leader of the “Partnerstva” M.Astrejka. They are to stand trial today, and they face a fine or 15 days of arrest. Mikalay Astrejka and two his assistants, Enira Bronitskaya and Alyaksandr Bondarau, were imprisoned in a remand prison in Akrestsyn Street. Another organizer of the meeting, Svyatlana Konnava, was released until the trial, as she has an underage child. A report has been drawn up against her.

The “Partnerstva” initiative is known for organizing independent observation during election campaigns. Its activists plan to continue their work after the wrecked meeting.