Crackdown of entrepreneurs’ action in Minsk (ONLINE REPORT, VIDEO)

A protest action of entrepreneurs was cracked down brutally on October Square in Minsk. Though riot militia forced people out of the square several times, about 1000 people gathered there. They are split in some groups, but are have no intentions of going away. The participants of the action took to streets against discriminative decrees of Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

1.45pm

Entrepreneurs were not allowed into the office of the National TV situated on Kamunistychnaya Street in Minsk. Viktar Harbachou, leader of the campaign “For Free Development of Business,” called the people present to disperse to avoid provocations. According to Harbachou, another group of entrepreneurs went to Makayonka Street, where office of Belarusian TV is situated, to pass the administration a petition with requirement of airtime.

1.25 p.m.

Part of entrepreneurs who have been fended off from holding a meeting on October Square in Minsk, marched to the building of OTN TT channel. They demand appearance in a live television broadcast to communicate their position. Riot policemen blocked way to the TV building. One of the leaders of entrepreneurs’ movement, Viktar Harbachou, went into the building in an attempt to come to accommodation with representatives of the TV channel.

1.20pm

Public activist Vyachaslau Siuchyk and one of the entrepreneurs’ leaders Ales Makaeu were detained. They were guarded to the Leninski internal affairs department in Minsk.

1.15 p.m.

A new wave of forcing from Kastrychnitskaya Square started. People haven’t been allowed to gather of the square, and they are move back to adjacent streets. Some people leave

1.10 p.m.

Most people marching in the direction of the square are detained and searched by riot policemen.

1 p.m.

Riot policemen cordoned off all entrances of Kastrychnitskaya metro station and are not allowing men aged about 30-50 going out, apparently thinking that they could be potential participants of the protest rally of entrepreneurs.

12.58pm

Meanwhile people continue to stay at the corner of Engels Street and Independence Prospect. Count Prushynski appeared. People are taking pictures of him, asking for autographs. The count is giving interview. The militia is looking with interest at the real nobleman.

12.55pm

Riot militia subunits blocked Lenin and Engels Streets, and impede movement of people near October Square, not allowing anybody there.

12.47pm

As it has just become known, Alyaksandr Milinkevich, leader of the movement “For Freedom!” in the office of the investigatory committee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is being interrogated on the criminal case initiated after the action of entrepreneurs on 10 January.

B>12.45pm

A group of people, among them journalists, was brutally forced out of October Square in the direction of Internatsyanalnaya Street. Among the people was Alyaksandr Kazulin’s daughter Volha, who came to the square with a poster “Freedom for Kazulin!” and a banner “Freedom to individual entrepreneurs!”

12.40pm

One of entrepreneurs’ leaders Viktar Harbachou suggested to move to the TV-center. Riot militia are forcing people out from Tsentralny shop, don’t allow them to go to metro. They behave rather rough.

12.35pm

Armoured cars stay on October Square, riot militia is marching in lines there, while people are not allowed to the square. Location of Alyaksandr Milinkevich has become known. He and detained with him members of the movement “For Freedom!” Ales Lahvinets and Ales Kryvalets were guarded to the investigatory committee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Sayorau Str., 7)

12.25pm

A group of people of some tens headed by leaders of entrepreneurs Viktar Harbachou, Ales Taustyka and Viktar Kalei were forced out of the Palace of Republic to the Kupalauski park in the direction of the Opera Theatre by the riot militia. Meanwhile people continue to come to October Square, but riot militia push them out in the direction of Nyamiha Street.

12.15pm

People in civvies detained leader of the movement “For Freedom, Alyaksandr Milinkevich, the UCP leader Anatol Lyabedzka and one of the entrepreneurs’ leaders Viktar Kalei near the Palace of Republic.

12.10pm

Some tens of people, among them are leaders of entrepreneurs’ movement Viktar Kalei and Ales Taustyka, leader of the United Civil Party Anatol Lyabedzka, have gathered on October Square. They are forced out by militia. The people are moving to the pedestrian crossing near Tsentralny shop. The square is cordoned off by the riot militia. Two special militia cars drove to the Palace of Republic. At the same time about 10 buses with militiamen are staying near the Freedom Square.