Belarus' Foreign Ministry says the United States and European Union are on the verge of "anti-Belarusian hysteria" after they condemned the violent break-up of an opposition protest.

The ministry issued a statement Sunday urging the West to stop interfering in Belarusian internal affairs.

Minsk Accuses West of 'Anti-Belarusian Hysteria'

Earlier Sunday, the European Union said it is appalled at the violence police used to break up Saturday's opposition protest against President Alexander Lukashenko's re-election.

Minsk Accuses West of 'Anti-Belarusian Hysteria'

Police say they reacted when marchers became violent. But the opposition says police moved in when demonstrators began marching to a detention center, where other protesters are being held.

Minsk Accuses West of 'Anti-Belarusian Hysteria'

Those detained include opposition presidential candidate Alexander Kozulin. His wife says he is facing a long jail term on charges of hooliganism. The EU is demanding his immediate release.

Mr. Lukashenko won a third term last week with 83 percent of the vote in an election the West condemns as a fraud.

Russian election monitors say the vote was free and fair. The opposition is demanding a new election. The United States and European Union have announced new sanctions against Belarus.