Traffic police threatens to identify participants of “Stop Petrol” action

The authorities resort to their traditional method – intimidation by all possible means.

Traffic police is going to examine registration plates to identify the participants of the unauthorized public action against fuel price rise, who violated the traffic regulations, Interfax.by learnt from Zhanna Traino, the spokesperson for Minsk traffic police department.

“Traffic officers recorded video of the events on Independence Avenue. Those who violated the road rules will be identified by license plates. Their actions will be legally evaluated,” Traino said.

Traffic police will assess only those actions by unauthorized protesters that violated the road regulations, the spokesperson of Minsk traffic police stressed.

Asked by a correspondent how traffic police officers will check if a car stopped on the road due to a breakdown or a driver made this on purpose in order to block traffic, Traino said: “There are special measures that give us this opportunity.”

One side of Independence Avenue in Minsk centre was blocked as a result of a protest action on Tuesday. Organizers wanted to attract attention of wide public and government to petrol price rise and decreasing incomes.

On June 7, Belneftekhim concern raised retail prices on oil products by average 31% in an attempt to reach a price of $1 per litre. The previous increase in price was on May 24. Thus, motor fuel went up by 50% over the last two weeks.