Police escorting Kazulin supporters away from a demonstration in Minsk on December 10 (Bymedia.net)
MINSK, December 10, 2006 -- Police in Belarus today detained about 20 opposition supporters who staged a protest in the capital, Minsk, according to RFE/RL's Belarus Service.
The rally was a demonstration of support for Alyaksandr Kazulin, who challenged longtime incumbent President Alyaksandr Lukashenka in a recent election and is now serving a 5 1/2-year prison term for organizing banned demonstrations.
Belarusian authorities routinely stifle dissent, and critics accuse officials of jailing political opponents of the administration on trumped-up or arcane charges.
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Belarusian authorities routinely stifle dissent, and critics accuse officials of jailing political opponents of the administration on trumped-up or arcane charges.
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."