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GUARDIAN/ Tom Parfitt /At least 4 presidential candidates face up to 15 years in prison charged with "organizing mass disorder" during this month's protests over the disputed re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko.
Another candidate in custody may be charged and as may two who are free but barred from leaving Belarus.
The charged candidates include poet Vladimir Neklyayev, 64, (pictured) and former deputy foreign minister, Andrei Sannikov, 56.
Both were badly beaten by police during the protests.
At least 600 people were sentenced to short jail terms for the protests. About 20, including the jailed candidates, are being investigated for criminal charges that carry longer sentences.
