Anatol Lyabedzka: “There was no such reaction over 15 years of this regime”

The leader of the United Civil Party Anatol Lyabedzka has told the details of his today’s detention by policemen to www.charter97.org website.

“I am already released, but I am going to take part in informational pickets again. After the authorities prohibited 450 pickets all around the country, we decided to hold flying, transient pickets and hand out informational materials.

I was detained by policemen of the police department of Savetski district of Minsk when I handed out leaflets in Kamarouski market. The response of people to my arrest was the most striking thing. Five pensioners immediately ran up to the policemen and started clamouring. One of the veterans started shouting: I took part in the war, but my benefits have been repealed, my pension is little, maybe I was shooting in the wrong direction during the war? In general, there was no such reaction over the 15 years of Lukashenka’s rule. Policemen got embarrassed; they were impressed by accusations of the pensioner. I can say even more: even policemen become indignant. In the police car one of the policemen asked me: how can a family of 4 get along on a salary of 1,200,000 Br?

The topic of the crisis is most sensitive for the authorities. It is obviously the most dangerous topic for them. The situation in the country is getting worse and worse. People are dissatisfied and the authorities fear to communicate with people, they fear the people’s ability to fight for their right for decent life,” the politician said in an interview to www.charter97.org website.