BELARUS: Belarussians protest on Chernobyl anniversary against plans to build nuclear power station

Record ID: 213956

  • Title: BELARUS: Belarussians protest on Chernobyl anniversary against plans to build nuclear power station
  • Date: 26th April 2013
  • Summary: MINSK, BELARUS (APRIL 26, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS GATHERED IN SQUARE IN CENTRAL MINSK TWO MEN WITH NUCLEAR SIGNS ON THEIR HEADBANDS MORE PROTESTERS WITH NUCLEAR SIGNS ON THEIR CLOTHS STUDENTS WITH BANNER SAYING (in Russian) "We are against Belarus nuclear power plant" PROTESTER WITH FACE MASK MORE PROTESTERS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) DMITRY, STUDENT, SAYING: "I categorically disagree with the construction of the Ostrovetskaya nuclear power plant because I think it can lead to another Chernobyl. Also I want to say that I disagree in principle with the policy of our authorities." MORE PROTESTERS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) VICTOR, PENSIONER, SAYING: "As a citizen of the Republic of Belarus I am categorically against the construction of the new nuclear power plant. We shouldn't allow it to happen. Otherwise we risk another Chernobyl. And Belarus will perish." MORE PROTESTERS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) DENIS, OFFICE CLERK, SAYING: "I have a small child and I am worried what might happen (if the plant is built) about the ecological situation, and general about the stability in Belarus." WOMEN HOLDING POSTER SAYING (in Russian) OSTROVETS = CHERNOBYL VARIOUS OF MARCH TO CHERNOBYL MEMORIAL
  • Embargoed: 11th May 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Belarus
  • Country: Belarus
  • Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes,Politics,Energy
  • Reuters ID: LVA3ST9LDC4XXFS0FZAIID94WBI1
  • Story Text: Several hundred protesters gathered in central Minsk to mark the 27th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and to protest against the construction of a nuclear power plant at the Ostrovets site in Grodno region.
    The new nuclear power plant Ostrovets is be located some 160 km northwest of Minsk, close to the border with Lithuania. The Russian company ROSATOM has started the construction last year.
    The Belarussian nuclear power plant will have two power-generating units with the total capacity of up to 2,400MW.
    The rally and the following march to the Chernobyl memorial was held under heavy police presence.
    The protesters mostly worried about the safety of the new nuclear power plant.
    "I categorically disagree with the construction of the Ostrovetskaya nuclear power plant because I think it can lead to another Chernobyl," said student Dmitry. And pensioner Victor added: "As a citizen of the Republic of Belarus I am categorically against the construction of the new nuclear power plant. We shouldn't allow it to happen. Otherwise we risk another Chernobyl. And Belarus will perish."
    "I have a small child," said office clerk Dennis "and I am worried what might happen (if the plant is built) about the ecological situation, and general about the stability in Belarus."
    According to Belarus human rights activists police have detained several environmental activists and opposition members before the beginning of the rally.
    On December 15, 2000, the last of the Chernobyl reactors was shut down and began to be decommissioned -- a process that is expected to take several decades.
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