 The Chernobyl anniversary is often use for anti-government protests |
Around 5,000 protestors in Belarus have held a rally in the capital Minsk, to mark the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. The protestors accused the authorities of lying about the effects of Chernobyl and chanted anti-government slogans.
Earlier, Alexander Milinkevich, the main opposition leader, was briefly detained and told not to attend.
The world's worst nuclear disaster in neighbouring Ukraine left one quarter of Belarus contaminated with radiation.
The march was prevented from entering October Square - the scene of violent clashes with police after the disputed presidential elections on 19 March.
 |  We are not on our knees...Chernobyl didn't defeat us and neither will Lukashenko |
The square was sealed off with metal barriers and there was a heavy police presence. Vans full of riot police were parked nearby and the nearest metro station was closed to discourage people from turning up.
Mr Milinkevich said the closure of the square showed the authorities were scared.
"If the authorities are afraid of us, that's OK. But if the authorities are afraid to talk with the people, that's a tragedy," he told protesters.
Anti-government protests
 Alexander Milinkevich has been told not to attend the rally |
The Chernobyl anniversary has become a traditional forum for anti-government protesters.
Many Belarussians continue to demand answers about the effects of the disaster and to oppose their government's move to repopulate contaminated land.
This year's anniversary comes a month after elections which brought President Lukashenko a third term and widespread condemnation from the international community. Observers said the polls were neither free nor fair.
The disputed election result led European foreign ministers to extend a visa ban on Belarus officials, to include Mr Lukashenko and 30 others.
The BBC's Emma Simpson in Minsk says opportunities for protest in Belarus are few, and the protestors used the anniversary to make their voices heard.
"We are not on our knees...Chernobyl didn't defeat us and neither will Lukashenko," one party leader said.
The rally was the first real test for the opposition after last month's unprecedented rallies, our correspondent says.
But based on the numbers who turned out on Wednesday night - half of what they expected - the opposition have yet to turn themselves into a united potent political force, she says.
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
