In Minsk - not yet Maidan, but mass protests
Several thousand people came to the center of Minsk today to sign for presidential candidates alternative to the leader of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.
People lined up in long lines, maintaining social distancing. Even heavy rain did not force them to disperse. Thus, those gathered protested against today’s arrest of the most promising of the alternative candidates, Viktor Babariko.
Cars driving past the protest lines honked their horns in support of the protesters.
Viktor Babariko and his son Eduard were detained this morning when they were bringing signatures collected in support of the candidate to the Central Election Commission. Lawyers were not allowed to see them.
Viktor Babariko is accused of financial fraud, which he allegedly committed when he was the head of Belgazprombak.
Minsk is not yet a Maidan, but there are mass protests.