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In Belarus, Journalists Beaten and Detained, Internet Cut

Danila Galperovich

   WASHINGTON - As Belarus cracked down on protesters contestingthe
   reelection of President Alexander Lukashenko, dozens of journalists
   were detained,beaten, and deported,and internet servicewasblocked as
   authorities triedto stifle opposition tothe Aug. 9vote.

   Mass demonstrations took place in the capital, Minsk, and other cities
   this week with protestersalleging the election was rigged and that
   opposition candidateSvetlanaTikhanovskaya-- and notLukashenko, who has
   been in power for 26 years -- won the vote.Belarus freed about 1,000
   people overnight on Aug. 13 after public outcry at the harsh tactics.

   Tikhanovskayafled to Lithuania after the election and has called on her
   supporters to not oppose the police. She ran for president after
   authorities detained her husband,SergeiTikhanovsky, a popular video
   blogger who was registered as a presidential candidate.

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