Belarus riot police halt protests

[cal04]

Riot police in the Belarus capital, Minsk, have broken up a five-day demonstration against the re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko.

More than 100 troops poured into the central square and loaded protesters into waiting trucks.

Small groups of demonstrators have been gathering in the square since Mr Lukashenko secured a third term in office last Sunday. The opposition condemned the election result, saying the vote was rigged.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4839780.stm

[movonne]

1. And i'm sure it was...

[Up2Late]

2. Here's the AFP story: Belarus riot police clear Minsk protest camp

<http://www.afp.com/english/news/stories/060324043353.q54zjsry.html>

Belarus riot police clear Minsk protest camp
24/03/2006 04h33

MINSK (AFP) - Belarussian riot police seized hundreds of protestors as they swept away an opposition camp in central Minsk, ending an act of unprecedented defiance against veteran President Alexander Lukashenko.

About 100 black-helmeted riot police arrived at October Square in the dead of night, swiftly carrying and herding the 300-400 protestors into green trucks with barred windows. There was no violence or resistance.

Within hours, top opposition leader Alexander Milinkevich vowed to continue his fight to have Lukashenko's landslide re-election victory last Sunday annulled.

He accused the government of speaking "in the language of repression" and said that a major rally planned for Saturday would go ahead. Among those detained in the police raid was a stepson of Milinkevich.

(more at link above)