Belarus releases 100 detained during election protests

Belarus releases 100 detained during election protests

2010-12-24 16:40:01 GMT+7 (ICT)

MINSK, BELARUS (BNO NEWS) -- Belarus authorities have released 100 jailed activists who were detained in Minsk after participating in an unauthorized rally following Sunday's presidential elections, the RIA Novosti news agency reported on Friday.

Around 500 protesters are still serving short jail terms of up to 15 days. However, among at least nineteen other detainees are five presidential candidates, whose detention have led to international condemnation.

Over 600 people - mostly supporters of the opposition - were detained after rallying against the presidential elections, which ended with Alexander Lukashenko winning unanimously with almost 80 percent of the votes. Protests and election observers are alleging fraud.

Authorities are still continuing their investigations into the detained protesters, which could end up with some of the detainees facing up to 15 years in prison on charges of organizing mass riots.

The 56-year-old Lukashenko has remained in power since 1994.

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