Police in Belarus detained more than 160 people during demonstrations on January 31 calling for longtime strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka to step down.
Video showed police dressed in black grabbing protesters from the sidewalk and putting them in minibuses. Another video shows police chasing demonstrators across a courtyard.
Luzia Tschirky, a Swiss journalist, was among those arrested. She was released after several hours of detention when the Swiss Embassy intervened.
Belarusians have taken to the streets to protest against Lukahsenka since the nation held presidential elections on August 9 that they say were rigged in his favor.
As many as 100,000 people joined the weekly demonstrations last year in the biggest challenge to Lukashenka’s rule in 26 years.
He has managed to cling to power by unleashing a brutal police crackdown on his own citizens, including detaining tens of thousands.
Related
Editors' Picks
Top Trending
1
What's Stopping NATO Countries From Boosting Defense Spending?
2The Kremlin Shrugs At Trump's New Sanctions Threat. But Should Putin Be Worried?
3Trump Warns Putin For Third Time To End 'Ridiculous' Ukraine War
4Inside Russia, A Snapshot Into Hopes, Fears, And Gripes Of A Society At War
5Could Trump Cut A Deal With Putin And Leave Ukraine In The Cold?
6Under Fire In Pokrovsk: Ukrainian City Burns As Attack Drones Stalk Residents
7Belarus Releases Detained U.S. Citizen Anastasia Nuhfer, Says Washington
8Ukrainian Military Shoots Down 65 Shahed Drones Amid Russian Onslaught
9Russian Refinery In Flames After Largest Ukrainian Air Attack This Year
10Ukraine Live Briefing: Kyiv Targets Over A Dozen Russian Regions
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.