Over 1,000 detained in latest Belarus election protests

MINSK, Belarus (AP) — Police detained over 1,000 people in Belarus during the latest protests against the results of the country's presidential election, officials said Wednesday. Rallies took place in 25 Belarusian cities on Tuesday and overnight, Interior Ministry spokeswoman Olga Chemodanova told The...

Protests in Belarus continue despite challenger's departure

MINSK, Belarus (AP) — The top opposition candidate in Belarus' presidential election left for Lithuania Tuesday but anti-government demonstrators still turned out for a third straight night to protest the vote results, despite a massive police crackdown that prompted a warning of possible European Union...

Protester dies in clashes after disputed Belarus vote

MINSK, Belarus (AP) — A protester died amid clashes between police and thousands of people gathered for a second straight night Monday in Belarus after official results from weekend elections — dismissed by the opposition as a sham — gave an overwhelming victory to authoritarian President...

Officials say Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko took 80% of the vote in election that sparked mass protests

Police break up protests after Belarus presidential vote

MINSK, Belarus (AP) — Phalanxes of Belarusian police in full riot gear violently dispersed thousands of demonstrators who poured into the streets to challenge the early count from Sunday's presidential election indicating the longtime authoritarian leader won a sixth term by a landslide. Hundreds of people...

Belarus' leader faces toughest challenge yet in Sunday vote

MINSK, Belarus (AP) — After 26 years in office, the authoritarian leader of Belarus is facing the toughest challenge yet as he runs for a sixth term. Discontent over a worsening economy and the government's dismissive response to the coronavirus pandemic has helped fuel the country's largest opposition...

Europeans urge fair election in Belarus, criticize run-up

BERLIN (AP) — Top European officials urged Belarusian authorities Friday to ensure a free and fair presidential election this weekend and denounced “unacceptable” restrictions ahead of the vote. President Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled the ex-Soviet nation with an iron fist for 26 years,...

Leaders of Russia and Belarus discuss arrested contractors

MOSCOW (AP) — The leaders of Russia and Belarus moved Friday to mend a rift caused by Belarusian authorities' arrest of 33 Russian security contractors on charges of planning to foment unrest ahead of the country's presidential election. Belarusian authorities accused the Russian contractors of planning...

President's virus swagger fuels anger ahead of Belarus vote

MINSK, Belarus (AP) — As Kseniya Milya's grandfather lay dying of COVID-19 at a hospital in Belarus' capital of Minsk, the country's authoritarian leader was blithely dismissing the pandemic as “psychosis,” and recommending an unusual remedy: Have a regular shot of vodka and work hard in the...

Belarus' leader of 26 years warns against election protests

MINSK, Belarus (AP) — The authoritarian leader of Belarus warned political opponents Thursday that authorities won't allow any unsanctioned demonstrations following the weekend election in which he is seeking a sixth consecutive term. President Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled the ex-Soviet nation with...