UCP leader, journalist detained in central Minsk

Vital Harbuzau, a reporter with the private newspaper Narodnaya Volya on Tuesday was detained near October Square in central Minsk. The journalist was arrested together with several members of the United Civic Party who were distributing copies of the newspaper's issue. The newspaper published an appeal of the United Civic Party to the public, representatives of the businesses and the state, Maryna Koktysh from Narodnaya Volya told the European Radio for Belarus. During the detention, Vital displayed his press ID and tried to explain that he was on an editorial assignment to cover the event not to hand out newspapers. However, it produced no effect for the police. Harbuzau and Anatol Lyabedzka, the leader of the United Civic Party, were placed into custody at the Central District Police Department in Minsk.