May 24, 1999

MINSK, Belarus (Reuters) -- About 1,000 people marched through the centre of Belarus's capital on Monday, demanding the release of an opposition leader and criticising President Alexander Lukashenko.

The protesters marched to mark the 51st birthday of former Prime Minister Mikhail Chigir, now in prison under charges of granting dubious loans when he was a banker before his premiership in 1994-96. His supporters say the case against him is politically motivated.

The protesters, whose demonstration had been sanctioned by authorities and ended peacefully, carried posters reading "Stop terror" and chanted "Freedom."

The United States, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the European Union have called for the release of Chigir, one of two candidates who took part in an unofficial opposition presidential poll on May 6-16.

The alternative election was held by opposition groups who do not recognise a 1996 referendum which extended Lukashenko's presidential term until 2001. Lukashenko's term was to expire in July this year.