BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

21/03/2006

Belarus shivers in election protest

Source: ITN

Hundreds of Belarus demonstrators have shivered and cheered through the night demanding their general election result be overturned.

President Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in office for 12 years, claimed another victory after the weekend's poll with over 80 per cent of the vote.

But international observers say the result falls short of democratic standards. The US has called for the country to go to the ballot again and the EU has threatened sanctions.

Milinkevich, the main opposition candidate denounced the vote as a farce and joined the demonstrators on the streets of Minsk.

Supporters brought sleeping bags, food, hot drinks and blankets.

Witnesses said riot police were stationed in sidestreets near the square but there was no sign of any action against the unsanctioned rally

"We must stay here permanently. We must stay here until the victory. It is our square. It is our country," Milinkevich told the crowd to chants of "Freedom" and "Long Live Belarus".

Source:

http://www.channel4.com/news/content/news-storypage.jsp?id=910