Belarus rounds up 80 protesters

25 Mar, 2008 19:31 / Updated 16 years ago

Around eighty opposition supporters have been detained in the Belarus capital Minsk for taking part in an unauthorised rally. The authorities agreed to the rally, but did not allow protesters into the city centre.

When several hundred tried to reach a central square, they were stopped by police. Several news agencies report a number of injuries in the clashes. A local journalist is said to be among the injured. Demonstrators timed their protest to coincide with a national anniversary – the forming of the Belarusian People’s Republic ninety years ago.