Candles and Condemnation as Thousands Mourn Death of Belarus Protester

Candles and Condemnation as Thousands Mourn Death of Belarus Protester
People gather to mourn the death of anti-government protester Roman Bondarenko who they say was beaten by Belarusian security forces, in Minsk, on Nov. 12, 2020. BelaPAN via Reuters
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KYIV—Thousands of people carrying candles and flowers gathered in Minsk on Thursday to mourn the death of a 31-year-old anti-government protester who they say was badly beaten by Belarusian security forces and died in hospital.

Witnesses say Roman Bondarenko was detained after scuffling with people in plain clothes who had come to a playground to remove red-and-white ribbons that represent the protest movement against veteran President Alexander Lukashenko.