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Police in Minsk violently disrupted an opposition protest rally leaving candidate Vladimir Neklyaev (pictured) seriously injured. Neklyaev suffered head injuries after police used noise grenades and truncheons to break up the rally.
Later, some 10,000 protesters gathered in central Minsk, calling the elections fraudulent, shouting: "For Freedom!" and "Down with Gulag!"
ALSO: A Wikleaks cable from U.S. diplomats claims that President Alexander Lukashenko is an increasingly "bizarre" and "disturbed" ruler who plans to stay in power indefinitely.
Lukashenko has ruled Belarus with an iron fist for 16 years but some have taken to the streets demanding a fair vote before Sunday's election.
Most expect Lukashenko, once a close ally of Russia, to easily win despite criticism of his methods.
In 2006, Lukashenkowon 86% of the vote. Russia was Lukashenko’s benefactor for years, selling Belarus cheap nat gas and oil. But recently Russia has harshly criticized him especially after he refused to recognize the independence of two separatist Georgian enclaves.
He does not tolerate dissent, has locked up opponents and is unapologetic about the violence suffered by demonstrators. Lukashenko is the wealthiest individual in Belarus, with a personal fortune put at $9bn.
“In general, Lukashenko badly needs money, and he knows that money will come from the West,” said candidate Andrei O. Sannikov. “That’s why he has to show some kind of liberalization on the surface.”
FOR MORE WIKILEAKS DETAILS:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/dec/17/wikileaks-belarus-leader-bizarre-disturbed
