The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus has checked documents of reporters and clarified that nearly 20 reporters have been arrested in Minsk, RIA Novosti reports.

Earlier, police had arrested reporters who were going to provide coverage of the prohibited demonstration of the opposition in Minsk.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs states that they were released after their documents were checked.

Earlier, RIA Novosti’s correspondent had reported that other reporters had also been arrested and their documents had been checked.

Among the arrestees were reporters for AP and Reuters.

Members of the opposition and Lukashenko’s supporters are holding demonstrations in Minsk today.