Belarus opposition holds rally despite police blocks, dozens of activists reportedly arrested

Belarus opposition rallies despite police blocks

MINSK, Belarus — Some 2,000 opposition activists in Belarus held a protest rally Thursday despite police blocks that authorities explained were part of security measures against an alleged bomb threat.

Some two dozen activists were arrested while making their way to the Belarusian capital for the protest, said Valentin Stefanovich of the Vyasna opposition movement. Police could not immediately be reached for comment.

In downtown Minsk, hundreds of club-wielding police blocked the Independence Avenue as the demonstrators gathered to protest the policies of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko — who has dubbed “Europe’s last dictator” by the United States and some European countries for his government’s efforts to quash opposition groups and independent media.

Police spokesman Alexander Lastovsky told the protesters that the blocks were necessary after foreigners had arrived in Belarus to plant a bomb on Independence Avenue. He gave no further details, saying only that “Our holy duty is to protect all.”

Authorities had sanctioned the rally in a remote park, but the activists defied a ban to march in central Minsk.

“Freedom is no holiday for Belarusian authorities,” said Alexey Yanukevich, leader of the Belarusian Popular Front. “Clubs, intimidation and riot police are the tools the government uses to communicate with us.”

Some protesters draped European Union flags over their heads.

“Belarus should get back to Europe; its farewell to its Communist past is taking too long,” said Irina Gulevich, a 19-year-old university student.

March 25 has long been a traditional day of opposition demonstration, marking what they call Freedom Day — the anniversary of the 1918 declaration of the first, short-lived independent Belarusian state.