Tue Aug 2, 6:07 PM ET
WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States condemned the arrests of members of a Polish association in Belarus and said they were part of a "continuing pattern of harassment" of the community.
The State Department comment came after Belarus authorities reportedly arrested two more Polish community leaders and warned politicians from Poland against interference in the country's internal affairs.
"The United States condemns the actions taken by the Belarussian government against the Union of Belarussian Poles," acting State Department spokesman Tom Casey said in a statement.
"The arrest of the Union's members, the closure of its newspaper and use of riot police to seize the Union's office are part of a continuing pattern of harassment against those seeking to peacefully express their views."
US officials have called the regime of President Alexander Lukashenko the last remaining dictatorship in Europe.
Casey said Belarus has closed most local offices of three major parties in the last two months, jailed activists and levied massive fines against the few remaining independent newspapers.
"The United States calls on Belarus' leadership to end these abuses and to respect the rights of the Belarussian people," he said.