Belarus holds tense vote, leader vows to quash any protests

MINSK, Belarus (AP) — Tensions are high in Belarus as the country holds a presidential election. Police are setting up checkpoints outside the capital to quash potential protests and have detaining at least eight opposition campaign workers. One leading opposition figure fled the country.The election pits authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, in office since 1994, against four others in an atmosphere charged with wide dismay over the country’s deteriorating economy, political repression and Lukashenko’s brushoff of the coronavirus threat. Opposition supporters suspect that election officials will manipulate the results to give Lukashenko a sixth term in office. Protests are expected once the polls close but Lukashenko has vowed to shut them down.