Journalists detained in Minsk centre

BelaPAN's cameraman Siarhei Satsiuk and Radio Svaboda's correspondent Aleh Hruzdzilovich have been detained in the centre of Minsk.

Siarhei Satsiuk, a cameraman for BelaPAN news agency, and Radio Svaboda's journalist Aleh Hruzdzilovich were detained in Mikhailauski Garden Square in Minsk during a picket against abuse of power by the authorities on the morning of April 19, BelaPAN reports.

Siarhei Satsiuk said on the phone that he had been ordered to get in a police car at about 10:15. He is at a police station, most likely in the Maskouski district. The cameraman supposes he will be taken to a police department to watch the footage taken at the picket.

Aleh Hrusdzilovich was also on his way to the Maskouski district police department, he said on the phone.

Policemen seized the journalists' equipment to delete footage. Hruzdzilovich says policemen are putting his personal information into the police database. Police officers insisted that he should leave his belongings and equipment in another room. The journalist thinks the photos and footage of the picket will be deleted.

Human rights defender Tamara Siarhei, who organised the picket, says 20 people gathered in Mikhailauski Garden Square. They were going to see Lukashenka and handed him a petition against lawlessness in courts and prosecution agencies signed by 30 people. People in civilian clothes forced picketers out of the garden square in direction to Miasnikou Square.

Mikahailauski Garden Square is close to the House of Govenment, where Aliaksandr Lukashenka is expected to address the nation and the “parliament” at 11:00.