Belarus protests: Three leading opposition activists detained as demonstrations continue
Move follows potentially largest protest ever in Minsk
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Your support makes all the difference.Belarusian authorities have detained three leading opposition activists who helped to spearhead the wave of protests calling for the resignation of authoritarian president Alexander Lukashenko.
The opposition's Coordination Council said its members Sergei Dylevsky and Olga Kovalkova were detained in Minsk on Monday. Later in the day, the opposition reported that Alexander Larinovich, leader of striking workers at a major industrial plant, had also been detained.
The detentions signal Mr Lukashenko's determination to stifle the huge protest movement sparked by his return to power three weeks ago on the mandate of an election which the Belarusian opposition and international critics believe was rigged.
Last week, Mr Lukashenko warned the council created to negotiate a transition of power that it could face criminal accusations for creating what he described as a parallel government. Belarusian prosecutors then opened a criminal inquiry into the council members on charges of undermining national security. Council members rejected these claims.
The three opposition figures were detained following Sunday's demonstration in Minsk which drew an estimated 200,000 people calling for Mr Lukashenko to step down following the election on 9 August, where the incumbent, often referred to as Europe's last dictator, claimed 80.23 per cent of ballots.
The previous Sunday saw a similar number of protesters, which was the largest ever in the ex-Soviet nation of 9.5 million people.
Mr Lukashenko was seen on Sunday disembarking his helicopter while holding a Kalashnikov rifle in what was seen to be a show of aggression towards demonstrators.
"We will deal with them," he said referring to demonstrators after arriving at the presidential residence in Minsk.
Protesters were subject to a brutal crackdown in the early days of the movement. Nearly 7,000 people were detained and hundreds injured after police dispersed peaceful protesters with rubber bullets, stun grenades and clubs.
Authorities have since backed off following widespread outrage although police cordons have been increased around Minsk in the past week and opposition activists have been threatened with criminal charges.
Additional reporting by Associated Press
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