Opposition parties are urging people to support Alyaksandr Milinkevich in March's election (file photo) (RFE/RL)
16 February 2006 -- Opposition activists say police in Minsk today detained two dozen protesters who were rallying against President Alyaksandr Lukashenka and calling for a fair vote in next month's presidential election.
The detentions could not be independently confirmed.
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The activists say about 200 people defied a government ban and gathered to remember leading opposition figures who disappeared several years ago.
Lukashenka, who is accused by the West of crushing dissent, is seeking a third term in office in the 19 March election. Opposition parties are trying to mount a challenge by urging people to unite behind independent candidate Alyaksandr Milinkevich.
(Reuters)
RFE/RL Belarus, Ukraine, And Moldova Report
RFE/RL Belarus, Ukraine, And Moldova Report
SUBSCRIBE For weekly news and analysis on Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova by e-mail, subscribe to "RFE/RL Belarus, Ukraine, And Moldova Report."