More than 360 more people have been detained in Belarus during protests against the country's authoritarian president who was unexpectedly sworn in to his sixth term in office after an election the opposition says was rigged.
Thousands of Belarusians took to the streets of the capital of Minsk and other cities on Wednesday evening to protest President Alexander Lukashenko's morning inauguration, which took place without advance public notice.
Police fiercely dispersed the crowds of protesters; in Minsk, officers used truncheons and water cannons, leaving dozens injured.
Belarus' Interior Ministry said on Thursday that 364 people were detained, including 252 in the capital.
The vast majority remained in custody, awaiting court hearings.
Anti-government rallies continued on Thursday morning despite the previous night's crackdown.
Hundreds of people in Minsk formed human chains of solidarity in different parts of the city and obstructed vehicle traffic by driving slowly or stopping altogether, honking in protest.
Lukashenko's inauguration before an audience of government officials, politicians and other dignitaries hadn't been announced in advance and came as a surprise for many after nearly seven weeks of mass protests against his disputed re-election.
The opposition's Coordination Council, which several leading activists formed to push for a transition of power, said on Thursday that "the secret inauguration of Alexander Lukashenko brought thousands of peaceful citizens onto the streets of our country's cities".
Lukashenko on Thursday argued that the inauguration wasn't prepared in secret and bristled at foreign criticism.
"You know, about 2000 people, together with the military, were invited to the inauguration. It is practically impossible to keep it secret," he was quoted by the state news agency Belta as saying.
"You know, we didn't ask anyone to recognise or not recognise our election, the legitimacy of the newly elected president... the important thing is that it's in accordance with the constitution," Lukashenko said.
Australian Associated Press
