Kyiv residents demand release of Belarusian street artists

The solidarity movement Together in Ukraine held a rally in Independence Square in Kyiv.

The appeal calling to release the authors of patriotic graffiti who were recently detained in Belarus was adopted at the rally, Radio Svaboda reports.

“We, activists of the solidarity movement Together in Ukraine, are happy to welcome opposition leader Mikalai Statkevich, activists Ihar Alinevich, Yauhen Vaskovich, Mikalai Dziadok, Artsiom Prakapenka and Yury Rubtsou and congratulate them on the release from Lukashenka's prison. The courage of these persons, most of whom had been behind bars for five years, must encourage the people of Belarus. It must help the Belarusian opposition to stop being disintegrated, end senseless international fights, become a political subject and unite around Mikalai Statkevich, who deserves to be elected president of the Republic of Belarus...”

The appeal also calls to release the authors of the patriotic graffiti:

“it's hideous that a criminal case was launched against Viachaslau Kasinerau, Maksim Piakarski, Vadzim Zharomski and their friends for drawing patriotic graffiti. Belarusian opposition and Belarusian human rights groups already recognised Viachaslau Kasinerau, Maksim Piakarski and Vadzim Zharomski as political prisoners. We demand the immediate release of these young Belarusian patriots. We call on Ukrainian friends to join our demands to the Lukashenka regime: Freedom for political prisoners! Freedom for Andrei Bandarenka and Mikhail Zhamchuzny! Freedom for Viachasau Kasinerau, Maksim Piakarski and Vadzim Zharomski!”