Belarus Sentences More Opposition Demonstrators

Opposition supporters scuffle with special police forces on March 25 in Minsk (AFP) March 28, 2006 -- Belarusian courts are continuing to hand down sentences to people detained by police during demonstrations against the reelection of President Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

Police have detained hundreds of people since the March 19 election, which the opposition -- backed by Western governments and observers -- says was fraudulent.

Many of those arrested have been sentenced to up to 15 days in prison.

Rights activists say 20 inmates at a detention center east of Minsk have gone on hunger strike.

A lawyer for Alyaksandr Kazulin, an opposition leader jailed during the March 25 protest in Minsk, said his client had been mistreated. Igor Rynkevich said police kicked Kazulin frequently and bound his wrists with handcuffs at maximum tightness.

Former Czech president Vaclav Havel today called on Belarusian authorities to released those detained.

(compiled from agency reports)