Belarus protests: Thousands join opposition march, dozens arrested

situation in Belarus capital, Minsk, is getting grim as tens of thousands joined an opposition rally against re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko, who retained his position with a landslide win. Reportedly, around 125 protestors were detained by police for taking part in opposition rally that took place on August 30. Amid ongoing unrest in Belarus over disputed elections, Independence Square in centre of Minsk h to be sealed with metal barriers and guarded by security forces.

As per several reports, Belarusian interior ministry also warned citizens t to participate in anti-government demonstrations. All protestors who joined anti-government rally h just one objective and it was to show Lukashenko that people of Belarus are against him. Lukashenko, who won a sixth term in elections with 80.23 percent of vote, celebrated his 66th birthday on August 30.

As per reports, pro-democracy protestors rallying against leer said that his time in power was up. In order to send a strong mess to leer, protestors waved opposition's red and white flag and all of m were seen chanting "Leave” despite presence of a heavy security force.

On August 23 and 30, hundreds of thousands of protestors took to streets of Belarus to protest against Lukashenko, who has been labeled as Europe's last dictator. As per Belarusian Association of Journalists, Belarusian authorities also stripped press accreditation of many journalists who were covering anti-government protests. situation in Belarus has become so grim that some foreign journalists have also been deported.

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EU agrees sanctions against 20 Belarus officials

On August 27, EU foreign ministers sought sanctions against Belarus in an attempt to pressurize Lukashenko to hold new elections as country's opposition appealed to German Chancellor Angela Merkel for support and assistance. In an effort to support ongoing mass protests against Lukashenko, EU ministers are considering travel bans and asset freezes on up to 20 people responsible for a clampdown on protestors two weeks after an election y say was rigged.

Belarus presidential election that took place on August 9 sparked mass protests against Lukashenko. leer’s opponents have called him out for rigging votes to extend his rule in country, however, he has denied all accusations levied on him. Lukashenko criticized recent anti-government protests, which as per him are receiving support from Western counties. authoritarian leer ordered army to defend and protect western Belarus which he termed as a pearl.

(Im credit: AP)

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