Euromaidan: Freedom for Belarusian political prisoners (Video)

Thousands of people on Kyiv’s central square demanded to free the Belarusian political prisoners.

Activists from Belarus addressed participants of protests on Kyiv’s Independence Square yesterday. They came from Minsk to support the people of Ukraine in their struggle for a European future of their country. Film director Volha Mikalaichyk, activists of the European Belarus civil campaign Maksim Vinkiarski, Yulia Stsiapanava and Leanid Kulakou, one of the leaders of small businessmen Aliaksandr Makaeu and other activists addressed the crowd from the stage. They were holding national white-red-white flags, a charter97.org correspondent reports.

Volha Mikalaichyk wished a Merry Christmas on behalf of all Belarusians and said about political prisoner MIkalai Autukhovich, who marked his 51st birthday yesterday. “Our solidarity is the best means to release the political prisoners,” Volha Mikalaichyk said.

Activists of European Belarus named the Belarusians imprisoned for their views. Thousands of people on Independence Square chanted “Freedom” after each name.

“Dictatorship is a contagious disease, but our personal courage and solidarity, also international solidarity, are the best medicine,” Maksim Viniarski said. “Today we are Kyiv to help you, tomorrow you will come to Minsk to help us.”

Mass protests for European integration began in Kyiv and Ukrainian regions on November 21 after the government had refused to sign an Association Agreement with the EU at the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius. The authorities made several attempts to forcefully disperse the protests, but people have been remaining in Kyev’s centre for the second month.