World Ice-Hockey Championships: regular operation mode

Before and during the first week of the World Ice Hockey Championship, the police detained some 30 activists across Belarus.

Having the World Ice-Hockey Championships in Minsk had no effect on the political life in Belarus. As expected, the Belarusian authorities have not amnestied political prisoners, but increased the security measures in Minsk, which also implied tighter conditions for the opposition. Intelligence agencies have increased their pressure on opposition activists and independent media not only in Minsk, but also in the regions. Today the Belarusian authorities are busy with organisational modalities and the propaganda machine has not yet used the Championships to ensure growth in popularity of the state institutions, which, however, will be done after the Championships.