Viktar Ivashkevich arrested

• 10.12.2007, 13:21

Viktar Ivashkevich, deputy head of the Belarusian Popular Front, has been arrested. The politician was detained when he was walking near Kastrychnitskaya Square. The politician was guarded to the Central District Internal Affairs Department.

It should be reminded that a meeting of entrepreneurs has begun on Kastrychnitskaya Square in Minsk at 12 p.m. About 1.000 people are taking part in the meeting. They require repeal of some Lukashenka’s decrees that make work of private business in the country more difficult.

On the congress of the BPF Party held on 8–9 December Viktar Ivashkevich called Belarusians to come out to Kastrychnitskaya Square in Minsk on 12 December, ahead of Putin’s visit to Minsk.

“Taking into account a threat that president Putin will press on Lukashenka, we want come out and demonstrate there are many people in Belarus who will never agree to lose the independence. I hope, the Belarusian authorities will not hinder the will of expressing of Belarusians. I call all journalists and diplomats to control in what degree the behaviour of the authorities would be civilised,” Viktar Ivashkevich said in the interview to the Charter’97 press center.

In the politician’s opinion, his arrest today should demonstrate the international community the non-democratic behaviour of the authorities and how they are ready to have a dialog with Europe.