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As many as 130 people charged over June 29 «silent» protests across Belarus

As many as 130 people were charged with civil offenses over "silent" protests staged across Belarus on June 29, the interior ministry's press office said.

Speaking about an Internet-inspired anti-government protest in Minsk, the press office said that groups numbering between 30 and 70 people had assembled in Kastrychnitskaya Square or near it.

As the groups moved in different directions, they were joined by more people. "Those who assembled did not mark themselves with any emblems, however, they shouted loud profanities at the police officers. They did not react to explanatory work, obstructed pedestrians walking on the sidewalks, made noise, attracted the attention of passers-by with claps of hands, pushed police officers, entered the road," the press office said, adding that only the most active protesters had been apprehended.

According to the press office, some 350 people took part in the protest in Minsk.

A total of 269 people were arrested during the protests in Belarus. Of them, 130 were charged with either disorderly conduct under Article 17.1 of the Civil Offenses Code, or with disobeying police officers under Article 23.4, or with violating mass event rules under Article 23.34. //BelaPAN