Warsaw rally recalls Belarus' political prisoners

World December 19, 2012

Warsaw rally recalls Belarus' political prisoners

Photo: AP Protesters hold placards with portraits of Belarusian political prisoners during a demonstration in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, marking the second anniversary of presidential elections in Belarus that were deemed flawed by international observers, and which triggered a repressive crackdown on opponents of President Alexander Lukashenko. Flags are a symbol of the opposition.

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WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poles and Belarusians concerned over human rights abuses in authoritarian Belarus filled a fake prison cell in downtown Warsaw, holding up images of democracy activists imprisoned in the neighboring state.

The rally Wednesday, organized by Amnesty International, comes on the second anniversary of elections in Belarus that were deemed flawed by international observers, and which triggered a repressive crackdown on opponents of President Alexander Lukashenko.

Dozens joined the protest, some waving Belarus' flag or holding up sketched portraits of Ales Belyatsky and other prisoners as they packed the fake prison cell in a bitter cold. Daria Korsak, the wife of a former political prisoner, Aliaksandr Atroshchankau, said, "we are asking people to remember that there is a whole country imprisoned just 200 kilometers (125 miles) from here."

Subjects
People
- Alexander Lukashenko
Locations
- Belarus,
- Poland,
- Eastern Europe,
- Europe

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