Belarus police anticipate turnout of 50,000 pilgrims for Baptism of Rus anniversary events
Belarusian police have been put on high alert ahead of celebrations marking the 1025th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus.
"It will be a large-scale event. We expect up to 50,000 citizens - pilgrims from all over Belarus and other states - to attend the main celebrations in Minsk," the Belarusian Interior Ministry's high-ranking official Ivan Kubrakov told Interfax on Thursday.
Security will be stepped up in Minsk from July 29 to August 2, when the Cross of St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle will be displayed in the Belarusian capital, he said.
"We will escort the vehicle carrying this relic right from the border. Our Russian colleagues may help us guard it on Belarusian territory," he said.
Solutions borrowed from Russia and Ukraine will be used to maintain public order in the city during this period, he said.
"We have been communicating and exchanging experiences with Russian and Ukrainian colleagues. We have contacted our colleagues in Kyiv. They informed us of the specifics of maintaining public order during mass events involving a large number of worshippers," Kubrakov said.
