Mass searches and detention of more than 80 people in one day in Belarus
On 23 January, according to the Human Rights Centre "Viasna", 84 people were detained in Belarus for "participation in an extremist formation" and "financing of extremist activities". Foto: Stringer / EPA-EFE The detainees included relatives of political prisoners and former political prisoners. At the same time, the local authorities recognised as extremist the INeedHelpBy initiative, which helps pay for groceries for the families of repressed people and compatriots