Belarussian opposition activists organized a rally Sunday protesting the planned building of а Russian military air base in the country, the Belorussky Partizan local news website reported.
Media estimates of the number of participants varied from 150 to 1,000 people.
One of the leaders of the opposition, Vladimir Neklyayev, said during the rally that building an air base could threaten the country's neutrality and territorial integrity.
“There was a Russian [military] base in Crimea, and part of Ukrainian territory was seized from there. If it happened there, why shouldn't it happen here?” Neklyayev was cited by Belorussky Partizan as saying Sunday.
Although the rally was not sanctioned by the authorities, local police didn't interfere with it and no arrests were made. Neklyayev and two other participants received official reprimands from police.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
