On March 11-12, residents of a number of Belarusian towns, including Orsha, Babruysk and Rahachou, took to the streets to protest the so-called ‘parasite’ law.
In Orsha, Belsat TV journalists Katsyaryna Andreyeva and Alyaksandr Barazenka were forced to get into a police car when they were filming the policemen detaining politician and former political prisoner Pavel Sevyarynets. Livestreaming the situation, the Belsat crew kept asking local police officers about any reasons for their arresting Sevyarynets.
Turn English subtitles on: Belsat TV journalists being detained live
Russian symbols in Belarus police’s car
Our colleague Katsyaryna Andreyeva is still being kept in the police station; she may be sentenced to 15 days in custody. Alyaksandr Barazenka was released after a protocol was drawn up on him. He will also have to pay a fine.
Alyaksandr Barazenka managed to film Russian tricolors in the car of the Belarusian riot police (OMON).
Decree Nr 3 signed by Alyaksandr Lukashenka in April, 2015 established the obligation of the citizens of Belarus, foreign citizens permanently residing in Belarus, stateless persons, who did not participate in the financing of public spending or participated in such financing less than 183 days (six months – ed.) in the past year, to pay a fee of 20 basic units (appr. $230).
The notorious decree caused a massive public outcry. In February-March, protests were held in a number of Belarusian cities and towns. On March 9, the implementation of the infamous ‘parasite’ law was put on the back burner.