Reports on protest against Russian airbase drawn up in Minsk

The Belarusian activists, who opposed construction of a Russian airbase, are charged with violating the order of organizing protest actions.

As the Center for Investigative Journalism reports, the reports were drawn up against Anatoly Lebedko, Alexei Marochkin, Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu, Vyacheslav Siuchyk and Nikolai Statkevich immediately after the start of the rally.

The law enforcement bodies of Belarus reported that the activists were charged with violation of the order of organizing and holding of an unauthorized mass event.

The protest against deployment of the Russian airbase on the territory of Belarus started on the Freedom Square near the Town Hall in Minsk on October 4. The activists noted that deployment of the base was a violation of the Constitution. They also stressed that they were no going to war with anyone, and the deployment of the base would deprive the country of its neutrality.

September 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered to set up a Russian military air base in Belarus. Earlier, the government of the Russian Federation explained that its deployment would “contribute to creation of the single regional air defense system” of the two countries, in particular, Russia will help to protect the air border of Belarus.

Photo by: Belarus Partisan