MINSK -- Police in the Belarusian capital have prevented several hundred opposition activists from holding a rally and detained at least a dozen of them.
The antigovernment rally in Minsk on March 25 was planned to mark the 101st anniversary of the day Belarusian politicians in 1918 proclaimed independence from Russia.
The Belarusian People's Republic lasted until 1919, when it was effectively taken over by Soviet Russia.
Police forces cordoned off the main square in Minsk where an unsanctioned rally was to be held on March 25.
At least a dozen protesters were detained, according to the Minsk-based human rights group Vyasna.
Many protesters were carrying the red and white flag of the 1918 republic that was also used by Belarus from 1991-95. It has become a symbol of the opposition and is banned by the government.
While most of the activists were released, at least one remained in detention.
Among those earlier detained were opposition politicians Vital Rymasheuski and Mikalay Kozlov, and musicians Lyavon Volski, Zmitser Vaytyushkevich, Paval Arakelyan, and Ihar Varashkevich, according to Vyasna.
Several thousand people gathered on March 23 in the city of Hrodna to mark the anniversary.
People gathered in a local park for the event that was approved by local authorities, singing patriotic songs and waving flags of the Belarusian People’s Republic.
Activists had used social media to organize the event after authorities in Minsk refused to allow them to hold the event there.
Known as Freedom Day, the anniversary is traditionally a day for opponents of the authoritarian government of Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka to stage protests.
The Belarusian opposition accuses Lukashenka, who has been in office since 1994, of attempting to erase Belarusian identity and "Russifying" the former Soviet republic.
During his two decades in power, Lukashenka has systemically quashed opposition parties, independent media, and civil society groups. Outbursts of political protests have been met with violence.
Police In Belarus Block Demonstrators From Opposition Rally, Dozen Detained

Editors' Picks
Top Trending
1
The Ukrainian Fingerprints On A Shadowy Assassination Campaign On Russian Soil
2With Wagner In Disarray, Russian Diplomat With Spy Links Surfaces In Central African Republic
3'Liquidated': Two 'Traitors Of Ukraine' Killed In Separate Incidents
4Live Briefing: Russia Invades Ukraine
5Germany Delivers Fresh Military Aid Package To Ukraine
6Kyiv Expects Delivery Of F-16s 'Soon' As Further U.S. Aid Remains Stalled In Congress
7Offhand Remark Or Political Theater? Putin's Announcement Belies Kremlin’s Penchant For Pageantry
8Russian Opposition Leader Navalny Missing For Three Days, Life 'At Risk,' Supporters Say
9Iranian Rapper Tataloo Detained Upon Arrival After Being Deported From Turkey
10Two Russian Officers Sentenced To Four Years For 'Failing To Repulse Ukrainian Attack'
Subscribe