Interior Ministry calls entrepreneurs' protest a "disturbing event"

The Interior Ministry of Belarus said it regarded the protest of small-size entrepreneurs in Minsk yesterday as a "disturbing event".  The police stressed that the rally was not authorized and that the protest participants tried "to destabilize the situation in the city".

The Interior Ministry said some 1000 people took part in the protest in Minsk. However, independent observers maintain that up to 3000 gathered for this rally, reports Belapan.

Almost 20 people, mostly the youth, yesterday were detained by the police. Entrepreneurs protested against the president's decree No 760 which bans them from hiring other people than the close relatives.