Belarusian police search Minsk offices of Russian internet firm Yandex

Belarusian law enforcement on Thursday searched the Minsk offices of Russian internet giant Yandex, the company said, amid protests in the Belarus capital following a disputed presidential election at the weekend. Yandex said that the people carrying out the search had presented themselves as representatives of a unit of Belarus' Interior Ministry.

Belarusian law enforcement on Thursday searched the Minsk offices of Russian internet giant Yandex, the company said, amid protests in the Belarus capital following a disputed presidential election at the weekend.

Yandex said that the people carrying out the search had presented themselves as representatives of a unit of Belarus' Interior Ministry. The company said that the motive for the search had not been disclosed and that no equipment or documents had been seized at its two Minsk offices.

Yandex said earlier in the day that armed individuals had entered its offices and were barring employees inside from leaving the building. Security forces have clashed with protesters in Minsk and other Belarusian cities in recent days after President Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory in Sunday's election, which his opponents allege was rigged.