15 people detained near Belarusian consulate in St. Petersburg

Update. At 23:30 Moscow time, the police released the last 15th person detained at the protest, OVD-Info reports . They were issued administrative reports for violating the high alert regime in St. Petersburg.

15 people were detained near the Belarusian consulate in St. Petersburg, MBKh Media reports. The police explained the detention by the fact that the people were participating in an uncoordinated protest.

Among those detained were correspondents from the publications "Severo-Zapad. MBKh Media" and "Sever.Realii". One of the journalists was detained despite the fact that he showed a press card.

People gathered at the consulate without paraphernalia, the police demanded that they disperse, after which they blocked them and took them to a paddy wagon, writes OVD-Info.

The day before, on December 25, police forbade Belarusians living in St. Petersburg to gather at the diplomatic mission building wearing national symbols and holding flags, and to chant slogans. At the same time, as Artur Gruntov, a representative of the Belarusian community, reported , they were allowed to stand at the building without flags and other symbols.

In explaining the ban, the police cited the decree of the Governor of St. Petersburg on measures to combat coronavirus.

• Belarusians living in St. Petersburg have been going to the building of the Belarusian consulate for 139 days in a row demanding the resignation of Alexander Lukashenko.

Correction. The news originally said that people were detained at the Belarusian embassy. This is not true, it is about the consulate . The editors apologize.