Belarusian riot police arrested hundreds of people on Saturday (September 19) during a women's march in Minsk against President Alexander Lukashenko.
About two thousand women took part in this rally, waving the white and red flag of the opposition.
Police blocked the parade and made hundreds of arrests, according to an AFP journalist.
The protest is the latest in a series of women's mobilizations in Belarus to demand the departure of Alexander Lukashenko, in power for 26 years, after his re-election, which was deemed fraudulent last month.
"Courageous women", according to Svetlana Tikhanovskaïa
Before the demonstration, the leader of the opposition, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who took refuge in Lithuania, praised the "courageous women of Belarus".
"They are demonstrating despite constant threats and pressure," she said in a statement.
Among the women arrested was Nina Baguinskaya, 73, one of the best-known activists in the protest movement against Alexander Lukashenko.
The opponent was then released from a police station.
Ambulances were also on site to take care of people injured or who felt ill during the arrests.
The opposition is due to lead new massive protests in Belarus on Sunday.
With AFP
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