Belarus opposition leader arrested

The Belarus opposition leader, Anatoly Lebedko, has been arrested along with a number of other protesters. He was detained after 3,000 businessmen took to the streets of the capital Minsk in protest against a new business law.

From January 1st, entrepreneurs are not allowed to hire workers other than their relatives.

Otherwise, they need to re-register their businesses as privately-owned enterprises, which would increase their tax burden.

The businessmen marched to the presidential residence but were forced towards the city streets.

The entrepreneurs were later joined by opposition party members and marched to the government building where they blocked Minsk's main street and demanded a meeting with the prime minister.

Police forced the protesters onto the pavements.

The protesters have promised to repeat the rally in the coming weeks.