The United States strongly condemns all election day violence in Belarus

The Embassy of the United States stated the following: 
The United States strongly condemns all election day violence in Belarus. We are especially concerned over excessive use of force by the authorities, including the beating and detention of several presidential candidates and violence against journalists and civil society activists.  We are alarmed  that candidate Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu was forcibly taken from a Minsk hospital by unknown individuals and we urge his safe and immediate return.  We call on the Government of Belarus to exercise restraint during the remainder of the electoral process, which should be free of further intimidation and violence.