Police in Belarus block rally marking Chernobyl anniversary

Belarusian authorities have enforced tight security measures to prevent an opposition rally marking the anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe

KYIV, Ukraine -- Belarusian authorities on Monday enforced tight security measures to prevent an opposition rally marking the anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe. The military and police flooded the center of the Belarusian capital, Minsk, blocking central avenues to thwart a planned march. Police arrested about 20 people, according to the Viasna human rights group. Earlier in the day, several dozen women dressed in black and wearing black masks staged a demonstration on the outskirts of the capital. The tough police action is part of the authorities' relentless crackdown on protests were triggered by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's re-election to a sixth term in an August election that the opposition saw as rigged.