Belarus opposition leader who challenged poll results flees to Lithuania amid protests

Svetlana Tikhavskaya, main challenger in Belarus's controversial presidential election held on August 9 has left country for Lithuania after second day of violent clashes between police and opposition supporters. Lithuanian foreign minister Linas Linkevicius on August 11 confirmed that Tikhavskaya h arrived in country ding that she is safe. Svetlana Tikhavskaya and or opposition leers refused to accept election result after Belarusian authorities declared it in favour of long-time authoritarian leer Alexander Lukashenko. Tikhavskaya on Tuesday issued a video mess, where she said that she h me "very difficult decision" to leave country to be with her two children. “I h to leave. Take care - life is worth what is happening w. Children are most important thing in our life. I hope to God you never have to face choice I did," she says in video that is going viral on social media. 

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According to reports, Lukashenko won a sixth term with over 80 percent of vote. However, Lukashenko opponents and critics rejected results and claimed that elections were rigged. accusations of poll rigging triggered protests and led to clashes between police and protesters. Media reports suggest that one protester h died during clashes between authorities and demonstrators. disputed election result has garnered a lot of criticism from international community, including European Union and United States. 

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Lukashenko's rule

Belarus, which was part of former Soviet Union is considered one of last surviving dictatorships in Europe because of its leer Alexander Lukashenko, who is infamous for repressing opponents, controlling media, among or things. After latest protests erupted in Belarus, Lukashenko ordered a crackdown on demonstrators saying that y were acting on behalf of foreign powers and that he will t allow his country to be "torn apart". Lukashenko also received congratulatory messs after winning polls, including from Russian President Vlimir Putin. 

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