here it is a general report of Indymedia Belarus on the events of March 25

On Saturday March 25th in Minsk a new wave of protests flashed that finished with brutal clash with the police

The Friday arrest of 460 people in the protest tent camp strengthened protest moods in society. More than 5000 people gathered for the announced demonstration in the center of Minsk. Authorities opposed the protest with all available police forces, special services and army.

By the beginning of the action the city centre was filled with tens of armored special forces lorries, and riot squads (OMON) buses. Ranks of the police moved fast across the streets. The police divided streets into sectors, surrounding passers-by and not giving them an opportunity to move. People were squeezed to walls in danger of crush. First single detentions took place.

Nevertheless, a significant part of protestors managed to concentrate in a nearby square and to hold a meeting against police terror, elections fraud and for solidarity with arrested people.

After the meeting a part of protestors began to move towards the prison where arrested people were hold. The idea of rally was to provide support for the arrested and to demand for possibility to pass food and clothes for them. Some hours before it the prison guards were strengthened, snipers were placed on roofs.

In some kilometers in a narrow deserted place the way of peace demonstration was met with lines of soldiers in riot equipment, and also insurgents of "SOBR" (special forces of quick response, their chief Dmitry Pavlichenko is suspected in political assassinations). After people had stopped moving, explosions (presumably, gas or noise grenades) sounded in the forefront and the special troops passed to the offensive. Some people, shell-shocked by explosions, fell, armored soldiers stepped on their bodies. Other demonstrators started to run up – they were being caught up, severely beaten and arrested. Two or three persons, lying on the ground without consciousness, had to be transported on stretchers. One of them was in extremely grave condition therefore eyewitnesses thought he had been killed (Sergey Atroshchenkov). As it was known later, he is alive, but doctors of hospital refuse to give any additional information.

After beating and dispersal more than 100 persons were arrested and loaded into armored lorries. According to eyewitnesses, the police had never made such slaughter before. In addition to demonstrators, in the epicenter of events there happened to be people who had just left stopped public transport, some of them were with children.

Further representatives of special forces in armored jeeps began hunting for suspiciously looking people on streets of the city, arresting them for participation in the demonstration.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, only 10 people have been injured, and 8 of them are soldiers of special troops. The police deny application of assault means.

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