Authorities fear of mass protests

• 29.07.2008, 8:17

The Ministry of Internal Affaires has changed the standards of security of people at mass events after a blast in Minsk on official Independence Day.

Interfax-Zapad has learnt it from the Ministry of Internal Affaires of Belarus.

“According to new rules, worked out after the 4 July accident, places of holding of mass events are fenced with mobile turnstiles. Metal detectors are installed at entrances, like at airport, or portative metal detectors are used,” the Ministry of Internal Affaires said.

“Territory where a mass event is held will be divided in some squares, watched by militia officers, equipped with portative metal detectors for checking people,” the Ministry of Internal Affaires noted.

Militia officers will also “monitor the situation via video observation systems, installed to control the site of holding of the event and the nearest territory,” the ministry noted.

Besides, people wil be allowed to the place of holding the mass event only after they have passed visual control of their physical state, and been checked if they have explosive devices and other things, banned or restricted for free circulation,” the Ministry of Internal Affaires said.

“According to new rules, access will be banned for drugs and alcohol intoxicated people. People having alcoholic drinks on them won’t be allowed, too,“ the ministry noted.

As the agency reported earlier, a homemade explosive device blasted on 4 July during a concert dedicated to the official Independence Day. 55 people were injured, 12 of whom are still in Minsk hospitals at the moment.