"For violation of the legislation on mass events in Minsk, more than 300 citizens were detained, in relation to whom an administrative process was initiated under Article 23.34 of the Belarusian Administrative Code (violation of the procedure of organization or conduct of mass events)," the press release read.
According to the authorities, numerous scattered groups of citizens gathered for demonstrations in different parts of Minsk in the period from noon until 3 p.m. local time (09:00 - 12:00 GMT), whereas some of these groups attempted to hold rallies on roads with car traffic and were subsequently prevented by law enforcement agents from doing so.
As stated in the press release, for some of the protesters this was not the first detention and others have "exercised active disobedience to the lawful demands of the law enforcement."
