News on 25.03.2008

25.03.2008

Riot militia paddy wagon crashed with taxi (Photo) 12

20:54, — Events

A crash between a paddy wagon and a taxi took place during the action on Freedom Day. The reason of the accident on Zalataya Horka Street may be bad weather or hurry of one of the drivers.

Minsk riot police beats up peaceful citizens (Video) 10

20:32, — Politics

Total lawlessness of riot policemen who were beating up people during the peaceful rally on Freedom Day in Minsk was shot by our correspondents on video.

Authorities try to keep their outrage from world 30

19:47, — Politics

TV and Radio Company Mir refuses to broadcast video reports of foreign TV channels, accredited in Minsk, about a crackdown of a peaceful demonstration, dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic proclamation.

Riot policemen against peaceful protesters (Photo) 29

19:30, — Politics

Hundreds of policemen and riot policemen were ordered to confront peaceful demonstrators on Freedom Day. The regime brutally disbanded the peaceful protest, beaten up and detained more than 100 participants of the rally.

Human rights watchdogs: More than 100 participants detained during demonstration in Minsk 6

19:21, — Politics

As the Charter’97 press-center was informed by human rights activists, during the brutal disband by riot policemen of the protest dedicated to celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic, more than 100 persons were detained in Minsk.

Mass arrests and beating on Freedom day in Minsk (Online report, video) 103

16:58, — Politics

A mass demonstration in honour of Freedom Day is held today in the Minsk center. Militia blocked Yakub Kolas Square, where participants of the action were to meet. Thousands of people have taken to Independence Avenue in Minsk. Cordons of riot militia are beating brutally the people. However, mass protests go on, people are breaking riot militia cordons and moving along Independence Avenue. Militia detained people near Victory Square. Tens and probably hundreds of people have been arrested.

Lukashenka’s regime will help Venezuela to create air defence system 4

15:48, — Army

Over 6 years Belarus will create an air defence system and electronic warfare support in Venezuela, stated First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Belarus Pyotr Tsikhanouski, when ratification of the corresponding agreement was discussed in the parliament.

KGB Chairman: “It was prevention” 21

15:23, — Politics

The chairman of the KGB (State Security Committee) of Belarus Yury Zhadobin has stated that nobody was detained in the case of a spy network which worked under cover of the US Embassy in Minsk.

New York celebrates BNR 90th anniversary (Photo)

15:10, — Politics

A number of events dedicated to 90th anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic (BNR) proclamation were held in New York.

Country celebrates Freedom Day (Photo) 3

14:07, — Politics

National flags have appeared in many Belarusian cities on 25 March. National flags were fluttering today in Minsk, Vitsebsk, Mahilou, Brest, Homel, Hrodna, Horki, Kletsk and other cities.

KGB changed its mind 18

12:07, — Politics

The KGB confirms the TV report about uncovering of the U.S. spy network, aired on 23 March in the evening analytical programme Week’s Panorama on the First TV Channel. Valer Nedachayeu, head of the KGB center of information and public relations, said in the interview to BelaPAN.

Picket near Belarusian Embassy in Moscow (photo, video) 3

11:55, — Politics

An action dedicated to Freedom Day – the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic, has been held near the Belarusian Embassy in Moscow today, 25 March.

Lukashenka congratulated on Independence Day... Greeks 8

11:29, — Politics

Alyaksandr Lukashenka didn’t dare to congratulate the Belarusians on the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian National Republic proclamation. Instead of it he sent his congratulates on Independence Day to Greece’s President.

Judge Tatsyana Paulyuchuk: “President of World Association of Belarusians Batskauschyna artist Marachkin swore” (Photo) 17

11:11, — Politics

A well-known Belarusian artist, the president of The World Association of Belarusians Batskauschyna (Ftatherland), member of the Soim of the Belarusian Popular Front party Alyaksei Marachkin has been sentenced by judge of Tsentralny district of Minsk Tastyana Paulichuk to 5 days of administrative arrest. Alyaksei Marachkin was charged with swearing near the police department of Tsentralny district of Minsk and convicted under Article 17.1 of the Administrative Code.

Today is Freedom Day: Meet on Yakub Kolas Square

10:40, — Politics

All political leaders, who expressed their support to Freedom Day, meet on Yakub Kolas Square at 6.00pm today.

Artur Finkevich: Let’s all meet at Yakub Kolas Square!

10:17, — Politics

One of the leaders of the Young Front Artur Finkevich offers all Belarusians that are concerned about the future of their mother land to celebrate Freedom day together, so he invites to gather on March 25 at Yakub Kolas Square at 6 p.m.

Ivonka Survila: “As soon as Belarus will be in good hands, we’ll hand over authority” (Video)

9:46, — Politics

Changes in Belarus will take place by wish of the Belarusians themselves, believes the Chairperson of the Belarusian National Republic (BNR) Rada (Council) in exile.

U.S. Embassy: So called spies worked in contact with Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs 17

8:31, — Politics

Jonathan Moore, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Belarus, refutes the accusations of espionage against staff of the embassy, sounded on the Belarusian TV.

Ales Marachkin, “Pahonya” leader and artist, detained 6

8:20, — Politics

Alyaksei Marachkin, artist, member of the Soim of the Belarusian Popular Front party, head of the creative association “Pahonya,” is in the special detention center on Akrestin Street. His son Ihar said it.

U.S. Department of State: “Belarus has taken a path of confrontation and isolation”

8:19, — Politics

George Bush administration expressed deep regret in connection with necessity to reduce twofold staff of the U.S. embassy in Minsk and said “Belarus has taken a path of confrontation and isolation.”