Rights groups, activists and independent media in Russia and Belarus endured increased government scrutiny, repressive laws and even were shut down and forced to operate from exile abroad.

(AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov) A woman covers herself with an old Belarusian national flag while shouting at police during a ...

Belarusian opposition activists wearing the old Belarusian national flag take part in a protest against the Belarusian ...

Belarusians began voting Sunday, with President Alexander Lukashenko expected to cruise to victory unchallenged for a seventh ...