About 3,000 people detained in Belarus after riots

The law enforcement officers investigated the events that took place last night in Minsk and some Belarusian cities. Riots took place after the closure of polling stations, despite the requests to show prudence and warnings of law enforcement officers.

Groups of aggressive young people organized provocations to the servicemen. Some people were injured.

The provocateurs spent as much time as possible in the booth, and did not leave the site for a long time, created queues, especially closer to the evening. Many residents couldn't vote until 8 pm.

The President ordered to extend the work of such problem areas and give everyone an opportunity to vote. After that, people left 32 polling stations. In total, the work of 33 polling stations was blocked throughout the country. Following that, 33 Election Commissions stopped operating. The members were threatened. The servicemen from the security service of the President accompanied them. Evacuation lasted until late at night.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs began to receive anxious information: aggressively tuned young people were gathering at the Sports Palace in Minsk.

Young people, encouraged by telegram-channels dispersed and moved to the Victory Park.

This is just a few hundred meters from the Independence Palace. Police squad took steps to prevent the crowd's  further movement.

The administrative buildings were also attacked. The crowd was going to the Department of Internal Affairs of Minsk Region. This technique was worked out more than five years ago in the West of Ukraine, when the protesters managed to disarm local policemen in Lviv, Ternopil and Ivano-Frankivsk.

Belarusian protesters were stimulated by information fakes, saying that the police joined the protesters in Lida and Kobrin.

The servicemen were attacked in Minsk, Novogrudok, in Korelichi and in Gomel. Against employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs used fragments of paving slabs and Molotov cocktails.

Ivan Noschevich, Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Belarus: "In the course of the inspection, we recorded the use of garbage containers, benches, sticks, cobblestones, fragments of paving slabs as a tool. Currently, about 100 investigators work in the field of crime. Many of the suspects and detainees are in a state of alcohol intoxication. Camera records were obtained. The persons involved in the unrest are continued to be detained. Responsibility provides for from 8 to 15 years of imprisonment."

Law enforcement officers are asked to continue not to succumb to provocations and violations of public order. All possible methods will be adopted to protect the country's constitutional system.

Oleg Gaidukevich, Chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party of Belarus, deputy of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus: "I am convinced that we will never tolerate this life, and I want the Belarusians who with such situation. I support different political directions and represent one of them. It is about preventing any manipulations and influence of those, who live abroad."

Vadim Borovik, political analyst: "The most important thing we must understand is the peace in our country. Any actions that can lead in our country to the damage to the material, to the damage of the life of citizens are not allowed. We live in the center of Europe. We must demonstrate European tolerance to political choice. Therefore, naturally, any aggression is indignant. The one who is wearing a form, and one who has some alternative point of view are valued and considered in our country. We must take care of each other - this is the most important thing."

About 3,000 people were detained yesterday, including about 1,000 in Minsk. About 40 employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs were injured. About 50 participants of the riots were also injured. Many of the civilians were in a state of intoxication, this is confirmed in the conclusions of the physicians. Injuries are mainly from rubber bullets.