Arrests as women hold anti-Lukashenko demo in Minsk

Police officers in Minsk detained several protesters as women in Belarus' capital rallied for a third consecutive week against the recent re-election of the country's authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko.

Among those detained during Saturday's demonstration was prominent 74-year-old protester Nina Bahinskaya.

Local media reported that she was released from custody upon arriving at a police station.

It was also reported that at least one member of the media was detained.

During the weekend protest, police officers blocked demonstrators in several locations.

The demonstrations first began after the country's presidential election on 9 August that officials say handed Lukashenko a sixth term in office with an overwhelming 80% support.

Opponents of the longtime leader have claimed that the election results were rigged.

During a ferocious protest crackdown in the first few days after the election, nearly 7,000 people were arrested and hundreds were injured.

Belarusian authorities have since changed tactics and tried to squash protests with the selective detentions of demonstrators and the jailing of opposition leaders.

(Image Credit Pixabay)