Belarus Clashes Stretches Over Disputed Election Polls
Minsk: Police in Minsk that is Belarus’s capital have fired rubber bullets for a second night to quash protests following Sunday's disputed presidential elections.
Officials say one demonstrator died when an explosive device went off in his hands - the first confirmed fatality since the clashes began.
Autocratic President Alexander Lukashenko won 80% of the vote.
His main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya refused to accept the results, saying she was the real winner.
A lack of scrutiny - no observers were present - has led to allegations of widespread vote-rigging in the poll.
The election was held amid growing frustration at Mr Lukashenko's leadership, with opposition rallies attracting large crowds. The preceding days saw a crackdown on activists and journalists.
Mr Lukashenko, in power since 1994, has described opposition supporters as "sheep" controlled from abroad, and vowed not to allow the country to be torn apart.
He won 80.23% of the vote, according to election officials, with Ms Tikhanovskaya receiving 9.9%.
Ms Tikhanovskaya entered the election in place of her jailed husband and went on to lead large opposition rallies. The opposition candidate said that the authorities should think about how to peacefully hand over power.
Riot police fired rubber bullets, tear gas and stun grenades to disperse thousands of demonstrators rallying in the capital.
Reports say some of the demonstrators fought back, throwing petrol bombs. Protesters also tried to build barricades.
A number of people were arrested. One journalist was injured, her colleagues and eyewitnesses said.
Later on Monday, the interior ministry said a protester died when he "tried to throw an unidentified explosive device at members of law enforcement".
"It exploded in his hand," the ministry said in a statement.
Polish-based broadcaster Belsat TV aired footage of the police charging into the crowds. Protests were also being held in other Belarusian cities.
