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Belarus. Women’s March in Minsk. The militia detained the protesters

On Saturday afternoon, the Women’s March started from the Victory Square in Minsk. Several thousand people gathered – mainly women. According to Radio Swaboda, the police blocked their way to the city center and prevented further march. A reporter of this station and its operator were detained.

Several thousand people (according to Radio Swaboda estimates), mainly women, gathered in the Victory Square on Saturday, who brought white, red and white flags and flowers to protest against the violence and demand the release of detained oppositionists and holding free elections.

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On Saturday, the Women’s March is held in MinskReuters/MOTOLKOHELP

As reported by witnesses, police trucks could be seen along the street. The streets of the women’s columns were blocked by large militia forces – then the march would spontaneously change its route. The column passed, among others part of Prospekt Niepodległości, went to Plac Jakub Kołas, then to Rynek Komarowski and towards Niemiga Street in the center.

– They all won’t fit! The women shouted to the officers of the OMON militia special forces. Information about the detention of men appeared. In some cases, groups of women managed to prevent officers from doing so. – You’re a sheep yourself! – the women shout, referring to the words that President Alyaksandr Lukashenka called the protesters. In his opinion, the demonstrators are “sheep” led by foreign countries. “I am a mother, not a shield for OMON,” said one of the posters. – “If you love, leave it” – one could read on another.

Radio Swaboda reporter detained

The Radio Swaboda reporter who was broadcasting from the march was arrested. The operator was arrested together with Ales Pilecki. The arrest was made by a man in black civilian clothes.

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Women’s March in MinskReuters/MOTOLKOHELP

Belsat TV announced the detention of two of its journalists – Zmicier Mickiewicz and Alyaksandr Lubianczuk.

Independent Belarusian media report that that journalists working in Belarus for foreign editorial offices are withdrawn from accreditation. This is also reported by the Belarusian Association of Journalists. The TUT.by website reported that the Belarusian Ministry of Information blocked another two independent news sites.

Detention of journalists in Minsk

Almost 300 people were arrested during the protests in Minsk on Thursday evening, including several dozen journalists, who were later released in most cases.

READ MORE: “Undercover policemen approached me and my operator.” TVN’s “Fakt” correspondent among detainees in Minsk

The Belarusian Association of Journalists reported that it knew the names of 39 reporters detained, but there could have been around 50 of them in total. The detained and later released reporters included, among others, Andrzej Zaucha from TVN and several employees of Belsat TV, as well as journalists from all independent Belarusian media and a number of foreign media, including BBC, Reuters, AP, Sputnik, “Komsomolska Pravda” and others.

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The whole conversation with Andrzej Zaucha after leaving the police station after being arrestedTVN24

photo-source">Main photo source: Reuters/MOTOLKOHELP

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