Water cannons used against demonstrators during latest Sunday protest in Minsk
On Sunday, October 4, thousands of people in Minsk took part in a protest march demanding the release of political prisoners. The demonstrators marched from the downtown to the detention center on Okrestina Street, where those arrested during opposition protests are being held. Law enforcement used water cannons against protesters during the march — spraying them with plain water, as well as orange paint. Mobile Internet access was restricted in the city center, and several subway stations along the march’s route were closed. Police officials in Minsk reported 10 arrests during the rally. The “Vyasna” (Spring) human rights center collected reports of more than 40 arrests in different cities across Belarus, which also saw protest rallies on Sunday. Opposition demonstrations have been ongoing throughout Belarus since the end of the presidential elections on August 9.
AP / Scanpix / LETA