Accessibility links

Breaking News

Anti-Government Protest Continues In Minsk


26 October 2004 -- Belarusian opposition figures say police detained seven activists as demonstrations continued in Minsk against a referendum that allowed President Alyaksandr Lukashenka to run for another term.

Rallies and demonstrations have been held nightly since the 17 October vote, which lifted the limit on presidential terms. The referendum was widely criticized as fraudulent, though election officials said nearly 80 percent of Belarusian voters supported it.

After nighfall in the capital, police detained seven protesters who had gathered along with several dozen others in the main square, chanting "Lukashenka, No!...Belarus, Yes!" and waving European Union and Belarusian flags.

Among those detained was the leader of the opposition Svoboda party, Syazhuk Vysotsky.

(AP)

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG