MINSK. Feb 15 (Interfax) - The Belarusian police detained several dozens of participants and viewers of a concert at the recreation base Ogonyok not far from Minsk on Saturday evening, according to a report posted on the website of the Viasna unregistered human rights center.
"Sixty-seven people were detained at the concert. Four people were released from the Smalyavichy district police department after protocols were made," the center said in a report.
Minors have also been released from the police department, the human rights activists said. Protocols have been made against the detainees.
A concert of the Belarusian groups A Guy's Broken Heart, Panska Moc and Ok-Band was scheduled to be held in the evening of February 13.
The Belarusian police, for their part, said they had averted an unauthorized event.
"Police officers averted a mass event using white-red-white symbols last night. Activists from destructive Telegram channels gathered at a recreation base near Smalyavichy , using a music party as a cover," Belarusian Interior Ministry spokesperson Olga Chemodanoda said on a Telegram channel on Sunday.
According to the Interior Ministry, 68 people, including minors, were detained.
Belarus has seen continuous protests against the official results of the presidential election that took place on August 9, 2020. The authorities declared incumbent President Lukashenko the winner. Lukashenko has been in office since 1994. The opposition says the election was rigged. The protesters are demanding Lukashenko's resignation, the release of political prisoners, and a new election. Protests have recently been held locally.