About 300 people arrested in anti-Lukashenko protests in BelarusJuly 4, 2011 - 13:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Belarus arrested almost 300 people in a massive nationwide crackdown on Independence Day protests against the regime of President Alexander Lukashenko, a rights group said. The Vyasna rights group said that 200 people were arrested in the capital Minsk during the July 3 protests while another 80 were arrested in other parts of the country including the regional centers of Grodno, Gomel and Mogilev. The protesters sought to show their dissatisfaction with Lukashenko by clapping their hands but police arrested anyone who joined in the applause, beating activists and firing tear gas, AFP reported. Vyasna said in a statement on its website that the arrested included 17 journalists although most of the reporters were freed overnight. Local media reports said that some 140 people would appear in court in Minsk on July 4 on charges of hooliganism over the protests. The police have yet to give an official figure of the number arrested or how many people were freed overnight. Lukashenko launched a crackdown on the opposition - unprecedented even in his 17 years of authoritarian rule - after mass protests on the evening of his landslide re-election victory in December. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |