были арестованы

were arrested

→ быть

phrase Rare #33,155

were arrested Past passive form used for plural subjects, or for formal singular contexts with implied plurality in news reports and official language.

RU: Вчера два человека были арестованы.

EN: Yesterday, two people were arrested.

Тысячи людей там были арестованы.

Thousands of people were arrested there.

Ни Том, ни Мэри не были арестованы.

Neither Tom nor Mary were arrested.

Три человека были арестованы.

Three people were arrested.

Вы были арестованы за то, что помогли ему сбежать.

You were arrested for helping him escape.

Они были арестованы вместе со своими друзьями.

They were arrested along with their friends.