Poroshenko demands to immediately release Ukrainian fans

• 10.10.2014, 11:52

First trials have been held. Fans were sentenced to 5 days in custody.

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide consular protection to immediately release the Ukrainian fans detained in Belarus after a football match, Interfax-Ukraine learnt from the president's spokesman Svyatoslav Tsegolko.

“The Ukrainian president has instructed the Foreign Ministry to urgently provide consular protection for the immediate release and return to Ukraine of all detainees after yesterday's football match in the Belarusian city of Barysau,” Tsegolko said.

The consul is reported to visit the detained Ukrainians.

Human rights activists report that some of the detained fans already stood trials. They were charged with swearing in public. Some of them were sentenced to 5 days in custody.

Tens of Ukrainian and Belarusian fans were detained yesterday after the football match in Barysau. The exact number of the detained people remains unknown.