Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu arrested for 7 days

Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu (left) attending the rally on September 8.
Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu (left) attending the rally on September 8.

Minsk's Saviecki District Court ruled to sentence Uladzimir Nyaklyayeu to 7 days of arrest.  The poet and opposition politician was punished for participating in an unauthorized street action in Minsk on September 8, Radio Liberty reports.  

The rally organized by opposition politician Mikalai Statkevich and his supporters was held in Kastrycnickaja Square on September 8 – Belarus Military Glory Day. The participants protested against the Belarus-Russia military exercise Zapad 2017. Nearly one hundred people walked towards Jakub Kolas Square where they solemnly pledged allegiance to Belarus.

Nyaklyayeu, 71 was to make a scheduled visit to a doctor on Friday but plaintclothes police agents brought him to the court hearing instead.