Belarus jails 600
Belarus yesterday jailed 600 demonstrators detained during a mass rally against the re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko, defying strong Western condemnation of the bloody crackdown.
Police officials said the protesters would be held for up to 15 days while prosecutors probed their potential involvement in "organising mass disturbances" -- a crime that carries a sentence of up to 15 years.
"It is not a fact that all of them will be released after 15 days," Minsk police spokesman Alexander Lastovsky told AFP.
"All of them will be checked for playing a role in the organisation of mass disturbances. We have enough photo and video evidence," he added.
The official did not specify how many people faced the more serious charges.
Lukashenko vowed Monday to come down hard on all those responsible for taking part in Sunday's unsanctioned rally against his regime.
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