You're reading: Associated Press: Belarus protest draws 400 despite main organizer’s arrest

Associated Press: Belarus protest draws 400 despite main organizer’s arrest

Published May 1, 2017 at 9:51 pm

An eldery woman walks along a street as riot police officers detain a man during a rally against President Alexander Lukashenko's rule and a controversial new tax on "spongers" - those who work less than six months a year - on March 25, 2017 in Minsk. / AFP PHOTO / Sergei GAPON

Photo by AFP

An opposition protest in Belarus’ capital drew about 400 people on May 1 even though the event was officially banned and its main organizer was arrested over the weekend.

However, police stood by and allowed the protesters to march through the center of Minsk while calling for the government to step down and for free elections to be held.