In the weeks leading up to Freedom Day (March 25), security forces conducted mass arrests and searches in various regions of Belarus almost every day, human rights center "Viasna" points out.

"Since March 15, at least 166 Belarusians have been convicted under political articles, not including Minsk.

So, security forces raids took place in Pinsk, Myory, Vorsha, Sianno, Hlyboky, Mazyr, Brest, Ivacevichy, Lepela, Polotsk, Navopolatsk, Gomla and other cities," the report says.

"Viasna" also recalled how the Freedom Day was celebrated in the past years and what kind of repressions the authorities responded to it.

Freedom Day is a holiday celebrated by the democratic society on the occasion of the declaration of independence of the Belarusian People's Republic on March 25, 1918.

But the current authorities ignore this date, instead detaining them for national symbols.

This year marked the 105th anniversary of the independence of the BNR.

Freedom Day was openly celebrated only by Belarusians abroad.