"The European Union deplores the arrest and imprisonment by Belarussian authorities of a number of participants in the recent peaceful demonstrations in Minsk," a statement issued by the EU's Greek presidency said.

The European Union "expresses its deep concern on the deterioration of (the) human rights situation in Belarus," it added.

On March 25, Belarussian police arrested 20 opposition activists who staged an unauthorised demonstration in support of the US-led war on Iraq and against the hardline post-communist Belarus leadership.

Around 1,000 people -- many carrying signs reading "Bush and Blair, you are right!" -- had gathered in central Minsk.

Belarus' authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko is shunned by Western leaders because of his poor human rights record and has recently cracked down on the country's opposition.

He maintains good relations with the regime of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, but has denied US accusations that he sold arms and military equipment to Baghdad in violation of a US embargo.

SPACE.WIRE