Belarus police disperse anti-Lukashenko protesters

Belarus police dispersed demonstrators across the capital city Minsk on Sunday in what was the 17th consecutive Sunday protest against the regime of President Alexander Lukashenko.

The Belarusian human rights group Viasna reported some 170 detentions by late afternoon, while local Telegram channels posted videos of police using tear gas and batons against protesters.

Protesters throughout the afternoon marched in rows throughout the city, braving snow and falling temperatures.

As at previous dispersals, police pursued fleeing demonstrators into residential courtyards and buildings before detaining them.

Belarus has been rocked by weekly protests after a presidential election on Aug. 9 gave the sitting president Lukashenko a sixth consecutive term in office, a result that the opposition say was secured by voter fraud.