Belarus Drops Charges Against Group Authorities Had Accused Of Plotting Riots

Belarusian authorities have dropped charges against alleged members of the White Legion, a group they had accused of plotting unrest across the country.

The Investigative Committee said on November 30 that while the activities of White Legion members had elements of military training, a probe did not reveal plans to organize riots aimed at undermining the country's constitutional order or violate its territorial integrity.

"Therefore, the criminal prosecution of the suspects...and the preliminary investigation into the criminal case have been canceled...due to the absence of a crime," the statement said.

The State Security Committee detained 26 members of the White Legion and the Young Front movement on suspicion of preparing to organize riots nationwide.

Those detentions came after President Alyaksandr Lukashenka announced that he suspected some groups were trying to destabilize the country and carry out a revolution.

Lukashenka's claim came amid a series of angry mass demonstrations across the country against the tax on unemployed citizens.

Charges against some detainees were later dropped.