Belarus Opposition Leader Milinkevich Reported Detained

Milinkevich was briefly jailed in April for his role in the post-election protests (Bymedia.net) November 24, 2006 -- A spokesman for Belarusian opposition leader Alyaksandr Milinkevich says Milinkevich has been detained by police in the Vitebsk region.

According to the statement, Milinkevich he had been in the region gathering signatures in support of candidates for local elections.

Spokesman Pavel Mazheika is quoted by the Associated Press as saying Milinkevich was detained along with a local opposition activist. He said police accused the activist of involvement in an earlier car accident.

Milinkevich ran for president against President Alyaksandr Lukashenka in an election in March, and he led public protests following the vote.

(AP)