MINSK — Belarussian police detained some 40 protesters late Wednesday for clapping their hands and stomping their feet during a demonstration against the authoritarian policies of President Alexander Lukashenko on the 17th anniversary of his rule.
An Associated Press reporter and photographer saw police beating some of those who were rounded up.
This was the ninth Wednesday in a row that protesters held a rally. Authorities have banned the demonstrations that feature novel forms of non-vocal protest. More than 1,500 protesters have been detained since the start of the "silent protests."
(AP)