Series of political demonstrations
The 2017 Belarusian protests were a series of demonstrations and street protests against President Alexander Lukashenko that broke out in late February 2017. Protesters mobilized against a tax levied against the unemployed in Belarus. Demonstrations and marches were held in sites throughout the country with sizes of several hundred to several thousand gathering at a given time.
Context.
Belarus has been described for several years as Europe's "last dictatorship" with no genuine political opposition against Lukashenko possible. Previous protests in 2011 and 2015 resulted in mass arrests. The country has also been in an economic recession since 2015 due to falling gasoline prices and that year a law was passed taxing the unemployed. Roughly 470,000 Belarusians are obliged to pay the tax but only about 10% have since it was issued.
Activities.
Approximately 2,500 protesters filled the streets in Minsk on 17 February to protest a policy that required anyone who works for less than 183 days per year to pay US$250 for "lost taxes" to help fund welfare policies. This converts to approximately . The law has proven unpopular and has been mocked in the public as the "law against social parasites". On 19 February, another 2,000 demonstrated in the second city of Gomel. Both gatherings were unauthorized but were not disrupted by authorities. Smaller demonstrations were held in other cities.
On 25 March, opposition leader Vladimir Nekliayev, who was set to speak at the main protest, was stopped in the morning on his way to Minsk, his wife said.
The government defended the mass arrests and beatings against citizens by alleging that the police had found "petrol bombs and arms-laden cars" near a protest in Minsk.
Timeline of the events.
5 March.
The mayor of Brest met with the protesters.
10 March.
After the rally, the organizers received 15 days of arrest.
15 March.
To the protesting crowd came member of parliament , five people arrested 
About 40 people were detained in Minsk.
References.
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