On May 16, on the Day of Belarusian Solidarity, Russian citizens tried to come to Belarusian embassy in Moscow to light candles of solidarity with Belarusian political prisoners, repressed activists, families of abducted oppositionists and all who fight for freedom and democracy in Belarus. Near the embassy a group of young activists with white-red-white flags and badges “For Freedom!” was stopped by policemen.
The leader of the United Civil Party Anatol Lyabedzka has received an answer to his inquiry from Ministry of Health. He asked about protesters beaten up on March 25. The UCP leader asked to confirm or to disprove information about death of one or more victims, and to reveal information about the nature of traumas of protesters who applied to hospitals. In the letter signed by the first deputy Minister of Health Viktar Kolbanau this information was denied.
In the evening of May 16 a flash-mob was held in the center of Mahilyou. It was dedicated to the Day of Solidarity. About three dozens of young Mahilyou citizens with badges “For Freedom!” gathered in the central square of the city at 8.30 p.m. They lit candles of solidarity with victims of political repressions, with political prisoners, with all those who want changes in Belarus. Many participants of the protest tied blue ribbons on their clothes and bags. Candles lit on the square were seen even from the opposite bank of the river of Dnepr.
On May 16, on the Day of Belarusian Solidarity in Brest on Savetskaya Square a group of young men inflated blue balloons, wrote “16”and “Freedom!” on them and handed them out to passers-by.
The prosecutor’s office of Minsk warned a well-known journalist Iryna Khalip for writing articles for Russian “Novaya Gazeta”, dedicated to presidential elections in Belarus and protest actions against rigged results of the vote. More then ten articles by Iryna Khalip written before and after presidential elections have been included to the list made by the Prosecutor’s office.
On the Day of Belarusian Solidarity, May 16, a tent was put up in the center of Warsaw since early morning. A white-red-white and jeans flags were hoisted over the tent. Pictures of Belarusian political prisoners were attached to the tent. Activists of the Union for Democracy Support in Belarus collected signatures in support of political prisoners.
Riot policemen seized youth activists Zmitser Dashkevich, Artur Finkevich, Yuliya Harachka and Krystsina Shatsikava in front of the court of Maskouski district of Minsk. The youth activists had come to support an opposition activist Yury Radzivil, whose case is considered by the court today. The reason of detention is unknown. They are in a paddy wagon now, and riot policemen do not allow them to answer the phone.
Today a businessman and public figure Anatol Krasouski would turn 54. On September 16, 1999 Anatol Krasouski went missing in Minsk together with his friend, a Vice Speaker of the Supreme Soviet of the 13th convocation Viktar Hanchar. Anatol Krasouski, like Viktar Hanchar, was a serious opponent of Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
On May 16 at 8 p.m. in Salihorsk another protest rally initiated by members of the local branch of the Young Front, dedicated to the Day of Solidarity with families of disappeared politicians, political prisoners and all pro-democracy fighters in Belarus. The rally had as many participants as never before, and policemen were numerous as well.
An action of solidarity with Belarusian political prisoners, repressed, families of abducted oppositionists was held on May 16 in St. Petersburg. Dwellers of St. Petersburg lit candles by the Belarusian diplomatic mission and tied jeans ribbons and blue balloons to the doors of the mission. G-8 summit is planned on July 15-17 in St. Petersburg. Russia is to be presiding the summit. Participants of the solidarity action expressed their protest to support of the Belarusian dictatorship by Russian president. According to them, Russia cannot host and preside the summit of democratic countries and support the last dictator of Europe at the same time.
On the Day of Belarusian Solidarity on May 16 in front of the Belarusian Embassy in Kyiv a performance was held. All workers of the Belarusian Embassy who were leaving the building after the work at 6 p.m., had to pass a “checkpoint” near the embassy by activists of Ukrainian youth organizations. Ukrainian activists checked whether the names of Belarusian diplomats were on the black list of the EU and the USA. Portraits of Belarusian non-grata persons were put up near the embassy, including Interior Affairs Minister Uladzimir Navumau, a Secretary of the Security Council Viktar Shejman, a SWAT commander Dzmitry Paulichenka and other Belarusian officials.
A well-known Belarusian journalist Iryna Khailp is summoned to the Prosecutor’s office once again, which is usual for the many years of her professional life in Belarus. In the writ it is stated that she is to come to the prosecutor’s office of Minsk today at 2.30 p.m. It is not stated in what capacity and in which case she is to give testimony.
Representatives of the EU countries have ignored the Interpol conference started on Wednesday in Minsk. None of the representatives of the EU countries has arrived to Minsk, Interfax informs. The four European regional vice-presidents, all from EU countries, do not attend the meeting as well.
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