BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

26/03/2007

Belarussian security forces block opposition protesters

By Karim Talbi, Minsk

SECURITY forces yesterday prevented up to 1,500 opponents of Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko from protesting in the same square where unprecedented rallies shook the former Soviet republic a year ago.

Lines of police and paratroopers blocked the opposition activists as they attempted to enter Oktyabrskaya Square in central Minsk, the site of a four-day rally following the controversial re-election of Mr Lukashenko in 2006.

Security forces punched dozens of the activists, who had called their rally for 9am Irish time, forcing them along Independence Avenue in the city centre.

Forcibly removed by the security forces and regrouped in the afternoon in front of the Academy of Sciences, Mr Lukashenko's opponents were ordered not to demonstrate and to move further from the city centre.

Protesters ignored warnings not to display the red and white stripes of Belarus's pre-Soviet banner, as well as the EU blue and gold-starred flag.

Opposition leaders addressed the protesters, as authorities repeatedly warned over a loudspeaker that the demonstration was illegal and force would be used to disperse the gathering.

"It is very symbolic that we are gathering today for the anniversary of our independence while in Berlin Europe celebrates 50 years," Vintsuk Viacherka, leader of the Popular Front of Belarus, told the crowd.

Opposition leader Alexander Milinkevich addressing protesters said: "We want freedom" and "Belarus will join the European Union."

The opposition has accused Belarussian authorities of making a series of pre- emptive arrests over the past few days, with nearly 50 activists put behind bars in what appeared to be a bid to cripple yesterday's demonstration.

Police officials could not be contacted to confirm these reports.

Source:

http://www.irishexaminer.com/irishexaminer/pages/story.aspx-qqqg=world-qqqm=world-qqqa=world-qqqid=28719-qqqx=1.asp