MINSK, Belarus (AP) – Police in Belarus have fingerprinted a deceased journalist in an increasing crackdown on dissent following presidential elections that were seen as fraudulent.

Reporter Vitaly Taras, 55, died of cancer overnight Monday. His wife, Yelena, told the Associated Press that police arrived at their apartment hours later and took his fingerprints despite her protests.

Police arrested more than 700 during protests on the night of last month’s vote, including seven of nine opposition candidates.

In the weeks since, police have been searching for anyone who took part in or reported on the protests. Journalists have had their apartments searched and hard drives confiscated. Election officials said President Alexander Lukashenko won 80 percent of the vote.
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