All participants of the unsanctioned opposition rally, detained in Minsk after the presidential elections in Belarus, were released, with the exception for those under criminal case. As reported by a representative of the Belarusian Interior Ministry on Tuesday, January 4, a 15-day administrative arrest was over last night for the punished citizens. Those, sentenced to a short-term arrest, were released earlier.
However, some administrative detainees, arrested after serving the sentence, got in the rank of defendants in criminal cases on riots. According to the Interior Ministry, 22 people were charged. The very charges would be presented at the end of the week.
Let’s recall, thousands of opposition supporters held an unauthorized rally at Kastrychnitskaya Square in central Minsk after the presidential election in Belarus on December 19.
The action was suppressed by the internal troops and special forces. About 600 opposition protesters were sentenced to administrative arrest. In addition, seven opposition candidates were brought to criminal liability. Four former presidential candidates — Vladimir Niakliaeu, Andrei Sannikov, Nikolai Statkevich and Ales Michalevic — are now in the KGB jail.
Source: Korrespondent.net
