Much as you might expect, the number of arrests of opposition supporters and activists in Belarus has been increasing dramatically as election day draws ever closer. By the count of br23 blog, 35-40 activists have been arrested in the past couple of days:
Virtually all of the arrested people were top members of Milinkevich’s team. If you imagine our united opposition as an army, it essentially means all of its generals and best officers are now taken prisoners. Milinkevich’s headquarters have been destroyed.
The Belarus government is also getting its retaliation in first when it comes to discrediting any post-election demonstrations. RFE/RL reports:
Belarusian guards at the Lithuanian border said they have seized tents, sleeping bags, and warm clothes sent from the United States. The authorities say the items could be used to help protestors at postelection rallies.
Would-be election monitors from the EU have also been denied visas for entry into Belarus (and, just for good measure, banned from entering the country for the next two years).
Meanwhile, for some excellent analysis of the situation in Belarus, check out Sean Guillory’s guest post over at Publius Pundit – Zubr and the Denim Revolution.