Belarus police detain dozens at weekly protest in Minsk

Belarusian police detained on Wednesday several dozen people at the internet-driven weekly protest against the Belarusian government's economic policies in the capital, Minsk. The rally, organized by the Revolution through Social Networks online campaign, brought together, according to various estimates, as many as several hundred protesters near Oktyabrskaya Square in the center of the Belarusian capital. Rather than chanting slogans and carrying posters, the protesters only applaud. The well-known Belrausian human rights activist Valentin Stefanovich told Russia's News Agency (RIA Novosti) that "just in Minsk, on the order of 120 people were detained." He added that a number of foreigners were detained, including a radio journalist from Latvia and a citizen of Estonia. A similar protest took place in Minsk a week ago involving up to several thousand people. Police then detained about 200 people, including journalists.