
MINSK, Belarus — The Belarusan capital is striking for its absence of litter, a testament to the harsh punishments that await violators and the orange-vested cleaning crews that prowl the sidewalks around the clock. But in recent weeks, the authoritarian government here has been at a loss to stop a growing number of young activists from filling the streets to protest the country's worst economic crisis since the fall of the Soviet Union and the ruthless leader they say is responsible. With opposition figures in prison or exile, they have taken a page from the Arab Spring playbook, using social networking sites to circumvent rules that outlaw public gatherings in what has been called Europe's last dictatorship. For the fifth week in a row, several thousand met in Minsk's October Square on Wednesday to clap hands, a gesture of solidarity against Alexander Lukashenko, the former collective farm manager in power for 17 years. This time, authorities were waiting for them. Dozens of protesters were arrested by police with help from plainclothesmen. Witnesses said they cornered people, punching and kicking them before packing them into police vehicles. Smaller protests were reported in 10 towns and cities outside the capital. "It's become a little scary, but we are not going to walk away from this. Enough of Lukashenko!" said Vitaly, 22, an accountant who has been taking part in the rallies and did not want his last name used, out of fear for his safety. The latest crackdown <b>...</b>
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