Syarhei Antonchyk was sentenced Friday - one day after several other opposition figures were given similar sentences, all of which will keep them imprisoned until after the presidential election, set for March 19

Thursday, a Minsk court sentenced Vintsuk Vyachorka, leader of the Belarus Popular Front, for taking part in what it called an unsanctioned demonstration.

Police detained him and other campaign staff members of opposition presidential candidate Alexander Milinkevich Wednesday after an opposition rally in the Belarusian capital.

President Alexander Lukashenko has ruled the former Soviet republic since 1994, and is seeking a third term.

The West has criticized his human rights record and quashing of political opposition. The United States has called Mr. Lukashenko Europe's last dictator.