Belarus’ riot police arrested hundreds of demonstrators and dozens of journalists Saturday in a police crackdown that seemed designed to prevent the spread of public discontent over the declining economy and the autocratic government of President Alexander Lukashenko. The arrests, in which those seized were taken to detention centers in armored police vehicles, came after more than a month of protests across the country. The arrests raise to more than 1,000 the number of those detained since the protest movement started Feb. 17. Saturday was the fiercest crackdown on public dissent since the 2010 postelection demonstrations, when hundreds were beaten and arrested, including many of the country's opposition leaders. That crackdown resulted in Western sanctions against Lukashenko and his government.

Source: Los Angeles Times March 25, 2017 23:26 UTC