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Belarus Protesters Attack Government HQ

Minsk erupts after Lukashenko re-election

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 20, 2010 3:57 AM CST

(Newser) – Tens of thousands of protesters tried to storm government buildings in Minsk after the leader sometimes called "Europe's last dictator" won a landslide victory in Belarus' presidential election. Alexander Lukashenko won a fourth term with 80% of the vote, according to election officials, but the election has been widely denounced as rigged, the BBC reports.

Police used stun grenades to clear Minsk's main square and flooded another square in the city to discourage protests. Nine candidates stood against Lukashenko but none got more than 2.5% of the vote, according to official figures. One opposition candidate was beaten and seriously injured as police broke up a rally staged by supporters. Aides say he was later forcibly taken from hospital by men in civilian clothing.

Opposition protesters light flares and shout slogans as they rally in downtown Minsk, Berlarus, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010.
Opposition protesters light flares and shout slogans as they rally in downtown Minsk, Berlarus, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010.   (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
Riot police officers move to form a line to block the road near the government building during a rally in Minsk, Belarus, early Monday, Dec. 20, 2010.
Riot police officers move to form a line to block the road near the government building during a rally in Minsk, Belarus, early Monday, Dec. 20, 2010.   (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev)
An opposition demonstrator walks in front of the riot police officers during a rally in Minsk, Berlarus, early Monday, Dec. 20, 2010.
An opposition demonstrator walks in front of the riot police officers during a rally in Minsk, Berlarus, early Monday, Dec. 20, 2010.   (AP Photo/Dmitry Brushko)
Opposition candidate Vitaly Rymashevsky, bottom, takes part in a rally in Minsk, Berlarus, early Monday, Dec. 20, 2010.
Opposition candidate Vitaly Rymashevsky, bottom, takes part in a rally in Minsk, Berlarus, early Monday, Dec. 20, 2010.   (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev)
Riot police block demonstrators trying to storm the government building in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010.
Riot police block demonstrators trying to storm the government building in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2010.   (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
anothernewsjunkie
Dec 20, 2010 6:04 AM CST
you could be more stoned than timothy leary and still know this vote was rigged.
 

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