Belarus Sentences Six Opposition Activists To Jail For Protests

A Belarusian court has sentenced six opposition activists to prison for participating in antigovernment protests late last year.

A Minsk city court found the six men guilty of participating in an illegal gathering and in public disturbances on December 19, during mass demonstrations against President Alyaksandr Lukashenka's reelection to office.

The longest sentence handed down to the activists was three and a half years in jail.

Meanwhile, more than 20 opposition activists are also on trial for their part in the protests, and opposition leaders have been accused of inciting riots and calling for an overthrow of the government.

compiled from agency reports