Human rights activist Anastasia Loika told BelaPAN news agency 28 people were tried after a public action on December 19.
According to her, 18 people were sentenced to administrative arrests. Among the arrested people are coordinator of European Belarus civil campaign Maksim Vinyarski (15 days), leader of entrepreneur movement in Minsk Alyaksandr Makayeu (10 days), former political prisoner Vasily Parfyankou (12 days), blogger Yury Shpak-Ryzhou (15 days) and former political prisoner Uladzimir Yaromenak (15 days).
"An observer from Belarusian Helsinki Committee, Yulia Khlyshchankova, who was detained near the Red Church will be tried today. The woman felt bad in a police department, an ambulance was called and she was taken to hospital. On December 20, the woman came to the Maskouski district court to support other people. She was detained again, because earlier a report for participation in an unauthorized action was drawn up against her", Loika said.
As human rights activists report, about 50 people were detained in Minsk in the evening on December 19. They gathered in the city centre to lit candles in solidarity with political prisoners arrested after last year’s presidential elections. Most people were detained on Independence Square, October Square and Yakub Kolas Square. People on Independence Square were detained near the Red Church during the service. Minsk police chief Alyaksandr Barsukou coordinated actions of policemen.
