Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Belarus

Belarus Oppositionist Released From Jail

Vintsuk Vyachorka on March 9 (RFE/RL)

March 23, 2006 -- A Belarusian opposition leader was released today after 15 days in prison for organizing an unauthorized preelection rally against President Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

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March 23, 2006

Vintsuk Vyachorka said there were between 180 to 200 people at the jail imprisoned for involvement in protests against Lukashenka.

According to final official results, Lukashenka was reelected on March 19 to a third term in office with 83 percent of the vote. His main opposition challenger, Alyaksandr Milinkevich, got 6.1 percent.

The opposition says the election was rigged and is demanding a rerun.

Some 200 protesters against Lukashenka's reelection maintained a vigil in a central Minsk square for a fifth consecutive day today.

(compiled from agency reports)

Election Day In Images

Click on the image to view a photo gallery of election-day events in Belarus.

THE BELARUS ELECTION: To view a complete archive of RFE/RL's coverage of the March 19 presidential election, click here.

To read and listen to RFE/RL's Belarus Service's coverage of the vote in Belarusian, click here.

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