Maksim Vinyarski: Struggle for Belarus held in Moscow too

An activist of European Belarus civil campaign was detained in Moscow again.

Police continue to arrest people protesting in front of Moscow's Khamovnichensky court, where a judge will pronounce a verdict to Pussy Riot band members today.

Police officers choses activists one by one from the mob and threw them to police vans. Some scores of people have already been detained.

Picketers chanted anti-Putin slogans and shouted to police “Shame”. Some of the detained people had balaclavas on their heads similar to those worn by the punk band members. Mane wear “Freedom for Pussy Riot” T-shirts. There are some Belarusians among protesters. One of the,  Maksim Vinyarski, was detained by police.

“I am now in a police vehicle together with other detained people. All are accused of 'disobeying police'. Police continue to detain people,” he says.

The activist said why he came to Moscow to support Pussy Riot band.

“The situation in Russia resembles that in Belarus five years ago. Putin chose the way of Lukashenka. If the Russian politicians who earlier denied it now talk about fast Lukashenkanization of Russia. This is not the end. Police officers, judges, prosecutors try to keep within rules and the law. The opposition has not been driven to underground. There are legal opportunities for street processions. Independent media work. Russia still has a chance to give up the vicious way of Lukashenkanization. Changes in Belarus in great degree depend on the events in Russia. We should support civil society in Russia, show our solidarity in words and in actions. One can and must struggle for changes in Belarus. It is also possible here,” Vinyarski said in an interview for charter97.org.

The activist has already spent five days in a Russian jail. He will stand trial again.