Hundreds detained in Belarus protests
MINSK: The Belarusian Interior Ministry said on Monday that police had detained 633 people on Sunday during the latest mass protests calling for an end to the rule of strongman Alexander Lukashenko.
Opposition supporters held a huge demonstration in Minsk on Sunday with more than 100,000 people attending, maintaining pressure on Lukashenko and disputing his claim to have won re-election in August 9 presidential polls.
“In total 633 people were detained in the republic for violations of legislation on mass events,” the Interior Ministry’s spokeswoman Olga Chemodanova said.
She added that 363 had been sent to detention centers pending court hearings.
Belarusian authorities sent troops, water cannon, armored personnel carriers and armored reconnaissance vehicles into central Minsk during the protest.
As demonstrators gradually dispersed on Sunday evening, local media reported that hooded men in civilian clothes with batons were chasing and beating demonstrators.
Lukashenko’s security forces have detained thousands of protesters, many of whom accused police of beatings and torture.
Several people have died during the crackdown.
Many protesters held red-andwhite flags and placards while a band beat drums and played other instruments.
“Despite rain and pressure from the authorities, despite repression, many more people turned up in Minsk than last Sunday,” top opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova told reporters.
“I am convinced that protests will continue until we win.”
Unprecedented demonstrations broke out after Lukashenko, who has ruled the ex-Soviet state for 26 years, claimed re-election with 80 percent of the vote on August 9.
Opposition challenger Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who claims she won the presidential election, left Belarus under pressure from authorities and has taken shelter in neighboring Lithuania, an EU member.
Belarusians have been demonstrating across the country for nearly a month even though the protest movement lacks a clear leader, with many activists jailed or forced out of the country.
On Sunday, the protesters marched towards Lukashenko’s residence at the Independence Palace where they chanted “Tribunal” and “How much are you getting paid?”
One protester held a portrait of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny who Germany says has been poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent
“Please only live,” said the placard, referring to President Vladimir Putin’s main political rival. Navalny has been in a coma for the past two weeks after he drank what his aides suspect was a cup of poisoned tea in Siberia.
“Sasha, have some tea. It’s Putin’s treat,” some protesters chanted, referring to Lukashenko by his
diminutive name.
Many say they will keep taking to the streets until Lukashenko quits.
“Lukashenko must go,” said Nikolai Dyatlov, a 32- year- old protester.
Another protester, 40- yearold Anastasia Bazarevich, said: “Half of the village where my grandma lives comes out and
protests every night.”
Russia has said it will respond to any Western attempts to “sway the situation” and Putin has raised the possibility of sending military support.
As demonstrators gradually dispersed later Sunday, images showed hooded men in civilian clothes with batons chasing and beating demonstrators.