Belarus: Tens of thousands defy threats and march in Minsk

Tens of thousands of people rallied in the Belarusian capital, Minsk, on Sunday despite warnings of a heavy-handed response by authorities.

Carrying red-and-white flags and chanting slogans against strongman President Alexander Lukashenko, protesters gathered as police deployed armored personnel carriers and water cannons.

According to DW correspondents at the scene, heavy vehicles have been rolling through Minsk since the early morning. Security forces, some heavily armed, were seen taking up positions and surrounding the centrally located Independence Square.

By late afternoon, Tut.by reported at least 100,000 people had gathered outside the Independence Palace, on Victors Avenue, where clashes broke out with police.

Read more: Masked men drag student protesters off the street in Minsk

Video footage showed armored vehicles on the streets and riot police out in force

The Interior Ministry had earlier warned: “We turn to the citizens and guests of our country! Do not take part in the non-sanctioned mass events. This is against the law! The police will take necessary actions to prevent such actions being carried out and will not allow violations of public order.”

Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya called on her fellow Belarusians not to be intimidated.

“Remember, together we are strong,” she said in a video message from Lithuania, where she fled
to after losing to Lukashenko in the elections. 

Arrests in several cities

Dozens of protesters were arrested, with Viasna rights group putting the figure at over 100.

However, the Interior Ministry told Russia’s Interfax news agency that “about 10 people” had been detained in Minsk. 

“This sea of people cannot be stopped by military equipment, water cannons, propaganda and arrests,” said Maria Kolesnikova, a leader of the Coordination Council set up by the opposition to try to convince Lukashenko to resign.

“Most Belarusians want a peaceful change of power and we will not get tired of demanding this,” she told The Associated Press.

Read more: Under threat from authorities, Belarusians go into exile

Local media reported widespread problems with mobile internet in Minsk, with one of the largest mobile operators of the country, A1 announcing that restrictions were put in place on the order of “authorized state bodies.”

Clashes in Hrodno

Video shared by Tut.by showed protesters in the city of Grodno hit with what appeared to be tear gas, followed by scuffles with police.

Several thousand people were reportedly protesting in the western city. Similar protests were seen other cities such as Brest, Mogilev, Gomel and Vitebsk.

Lukashenko claims to have won the August 9 elections with an 80% margin after ruling the former Soviet country for 26 years.

His disputed victory has brought thousands of people onto the streets for weeks, demanding his resignation, despite a massive police crackdown.

Thousands of people have been arrested, with accusations of beatings and torture.

Journalists, including foreign media, have been caught up in the crackdown with frequent arbitrary arrests and harassment.

aw/mm (AFP, dpa, Reuters)

Article source: https://www.dw.com/en/belarus-tens-of-thousands-defy-threats-and-march-in-minsk/a-54832305?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf