Up to 10,000 people marched through the country’s snow-bound capital, Minsk, on Sunday, saying the president has rigged the vote and chanting "anti-Lukashenko slogans in one of the most significant challenges yet to his 16-year
Belarus President was re-elected on Sunday for a fourth term, following disputed elections marred by violence.
The state electoral commission said early on Monday that Alexander Lukashenko had won 79.7 per cent with 100 per cent of votes counted in the former Soviet republic. It put voter turnout in sub-zero temperatures at more than 90 per cent.
Up to 10,000 people marched through the country's snow-bound capital, Minsk, on Sunday, saying the president has rigged the vote and chanting "anti-Lukashenko slogans in one of the most significant challenges yet to his 16-year rule.
Riot police then waded in, beating people with batons on Independence Square. Some protesters threw stones and snowballs at policemen who detained opposition challengers.
For his part, the head of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, said the incident was unacceptable.
"This cowardly attack on a defenseless candidate for president of Belarus is outrageous and disgraceful," he said in a statement.
On Monday, EU chief diplomat Catherine Ashton condemn the use of violence in the country, demanding the release of detained opposition leaders.
Ashton "condemns the use of violence following yesterday's presidential elections in Belarus, in particular the beating and detention of several opposition leaders including a number of presidential candidates," her office said in a statement.
She calls on the authorities to immediately release those arrested," it said.
The state electoral commission said early on Monday that Alexander Lukashenko had won 79.7 per cent with 100 per cent of votes counted in the former Soviet republic. It put voter turnout in sub-zero temperatures at more than 90 per cent.
Up to 10,000 people marched through the country's snow-bound capital, Minsk, on Sunday, saying the president has rigged the vote and chanting "anti-Lukashenko slogans in one of the most significant challenges yet to his 16-year rule.
Riot police then waded in, beating people with batons on Independence Square. Some protesters threw stones and snowballs at policemen who detained opposition challengers.
For his part, the head of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, said the incident was unacceptable.
"This cowardly attack on a defenseless candidate for president of Belarus is outrageous and disgraceful," he said in a statement.
On Monday, EU chief diplomat Catherine Ashton condemn the use of violence in the country, demanding the release of detained opposition leaders.
Ashton "condemns the use of violence following yesterday's presidential elections in Belarus, in particular the beating and detention of several opposition leaders including a number of presidential candidates," her office said in a statement.
She calls on the authorities to immediately release those arrested," it said.
