Minsk Police Detains 200 Women Demanding Resignation of 'Authoritarian' Belarus President
4 years, 3 months ago

Minsk Police Detains 200 Women Demanding Resignation of 'Authoritarian' Belarus President

News 18  

Police in the capital of Belarus cracked down sharply Saturday on a women’s protest march demanding the authoritarian president’s resignation, arresting more than 200 including an elderly woman who has become a symbol of the six weeks of protest that have roiled the country. The human rights group Viasna said more than 200 people were arrested in Saturday’s march. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Lukashenko’s main opponent in the election, praised the women’s march in a video statement from Lithuania, where she took refuge after the election. In a new strategy to stem the huge Sunday rallies, the Belarusian Prosecutor Generals office said it has tracked down parents who took their children to opposition demonstrations.

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History of this topic

Belarusian authorities launch a new wave of repression ahead of presidential vote
2 months ago

Belarusian authorities launch a new wave of repression ahead of presidential vote

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarusian authorities have launched a new wave of arrests, seeking to uproot any sign of dissent ahead of January’s election in which authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko is seeking a seventh term, rights campaigners said. “The new massive wave of arrests and searches is a planned action of intimidation ahead of the election,” said Viasna’s representative Pavel Sapelka. …

Belarus targets opposition activists with raids and property seizures
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Belarus targets opposition activists with raids and property seizures

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Authorities in Belarus on Thursday announced raids and the seizure of property belonging to 104 opposition activists who have fled the country, the latest step in a crackdown on dissent that has continued unabated for nearly four years. Belarus’ Investigative Committee said Thursday the latest raids and seizures targeted activists who criticized Belarusian authorities abroad and rallied …

Belarus hands lengthy prison terms to 18 participants of 2020 protests
1 year, 6 months ago

Belarus hands lengthy prison terms to 18 participants of 2020 protests

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — A court in Belarus on Wednesday handed lengthy prison terms to 18 participants of mass anti-government protests that shook the country in 2020, the latest step in a brutal years-long effort to stifle all and any dissent. According to the authorities, the protesters formed a resistance movement, attacked law enforcement officers, carried out acts of sabotage and …

Belarus court gives opposition activists lengthy sentences
3 years, 4 months ago

Belarus court gives opposition activists lengthy sentences

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — A court in Belarus on Monday sentenced two leading opposition activists to lengthy prison terms, the latest move in the relentless crackdown that Belarusian authorities have unleashed on dissent in the wake of last year’s anti-government protests. “It’s not a verdict, but rather the revenge of the authorities.” Belarus was rocked by months of protests fueled by …

Belarusians abroad protest repression in homeland
3 years, 7 months ago

Belarusians abroad protest repression in homeland

Associated Press  

VILNIUS, Lithuania — Belarus’s exiled opposition leader vowed Saturday to persist fighting the country’s authoritarian regime despite intensifying repression that was thrown into high relief a week ago by the diversion of a commercial airliner and the arrest of a dissident journalist who was aboard. About 100 of them rallied in Kyiv to denounce President Alexander Lukashenko, whose repression of …

Belarus police arrest more than 100, prevent opposition rally
3 years, 9 months ago

Belarus police arrest more than 100, prevent opposition rally

Al Jazeera  

Police arrest more than 100 people as they gathered for fresh protests against President Alexander Lukashenko. Police in Belarus have detained more than 100 people, including five journalists, local media and a rights group have said, as they gathered for fresh rallies against President Alexander Lukashenko Protests erupted in the former Soviet country last August after Lukashenko claimed a sixth …

Hundreds arrested in Belarus ‘Freedom Day’ protest
3 years, 9 months ago

Hundreds arrested in Belarus ‘Freedom Day’ protest

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Protesters calling for the resignation of Belarus’ authoritarian president marched in small groups Thursday throughout the capital of Minsk, the first sizable turnout of demonstrators since weeks of protest rocked the country last year. Videos on social media showed police arresting people holding the red-and-white flags that are an emblem of the opposition to President Alexander Lukashenko. …

Belarus authorities arrest dozens ahead of planned protests
3 years, 9 months ago

Belarus authorities arrest dozens ahead of planned protests

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Authorities intensified their crackdown on dissent in Belarus ahead of planned protests against the nation’s authoritarian president and detained dozens of people Wednesday, according to human rights activists. The chief of Belarus’ security agency, which still goes by the Soviet-era name KGB, warned against “attempts to destabilize the situation in the country.” Police detained at least 42 …

From Exile, Tikhanovskaya Calls For '2nd Wave Of Protests' Against Belarus Regime
3 years, 9 months ago

From Exile, Tikhanovskaya Calls For '2nd Wave Of Protests' Against Belarus Regime

NPR  

From Exile, Tikhanovskaya Calls For '2nd Wave Of Protests' Against Belarus Regime Enlarge this image toggle caption Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images MOSCOW — Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, the exiled leader of Belarus' pro-democracy movement, is calling on Belarusians to take to the streets this week and revive the mass protests that swept the Eastern European country …

Rights group: Scores detained at retirees’ rally in Belarus
4 years ago

Rights group: Scores detained at retirees’ rally in Belarus

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — A human rights group said that dozens of people were detained in the Belarusian capital on Monday during the traditional weekly rally of retirees against President Alexander Lukashenko, who won his sixth term in office in a disputed election. “Elderly people are being held in unsanitary conditions, large groups of them are being kept in cells and …

Over 300 detained in Belarus during protests against leader
4 years, 1 month ago

Over 300 detained in Belarus during protests against leader

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — More than 300 people were detained in the Belarusian capital on Sunday, where crowds of people took to the streets for the 18th consecutive weekend, demanding the ouster of the country’s authoritarian leader who won a sixth term in office in an election widely seen as rigged. The Viasna human rights group released the names of 215 …

Thousands of protesters march in Belarus, dozens detained
4 years, 1 month ago

Thousands of protesters march in Belarus, dozens detained

Al Jazeera  

Human rights group Viasna-96 says at least 106 people taken into police custody mainly in Minsk. Thousands of demonstrators marched in the Belarusian capital Minsk and elsewhere on Sunday as weekly protests demanding the resignation of veteran President Alexander Lukashenko continued, prompting police to arrest more than 100 people. Belarus, a country of 9.5 million that Russia sees as a …

Retirees protest Belarus leader amid crackdown on protests
4 years, 1 month ago

Retirees protest Belarus leader amid crackdown on protests

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Hundreds of retirees rallied in the Belarusian capital on Monday against the country’s authoritarian leader, as security forces moved in to break up the traditional weekly march. Mass protests have gripped Belarus, a former Soviet republic in eastern Europe, since official results from the Aug. 9 presidential election gave Lukashenko a landslide victory over his widely popular …

Belarus police detain hundreds at ‘march of neighbours’ protests
4 years, 1 month ago

Belarus police detain hundreds at ‘march of neighbours’ protests

Al Jazeera  

Belarusian security forces detained hundreds of protesters at rallies in Minsk the opposition had billed as “the march of neighbours”, local police and a rights group reported. Mass protests have gripped Belarus, a former Soviet republic in Eastern Europe, since official results from the August 9 presidential election gave Lukashenko a landslide victory over his widely popular opponent, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya. …

More than 300 detained by police in Belarus protests
4 years, 1 month ago

More than 300 detained by police in Belarus protests

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — The Belarusian human rights group Viasna says that more than 300 people were arrested and many of them beaten by police during protests calling for the country’s authoritarian president to resign. Protests have gripped Belarus since the Aug. 9 presidential election that official results say gave Lukashenko a sixth term in office, but that the opposition and …

More than 900 people reported arrested in Belarus protests
4 years, 1 month ago

More than 900 people reported arrested in Belarus protests

LA Times  

A human rights group in Belarus said more than 900 people were arrested Sunday in protests around the country calling for authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko to step down. The demonstrations continued the wave of near-daily protests that have gripped Belarus since early August. Many of the demonstrators carried placards in commemoration of Raman Bandarenka, an opposition supporter who died Thursday …

Hundreds arrested as Belarus protesters face violent crackdown
4 years, 1 month ago

Hundreds arrested as Belarus protesters face violent crackdown

Al Jazeera  

Police use rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse crowds as months of protests against President Lukashenko continue. Masked security forces arrested hundreds of people in another day of mass demonstrations against the president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko. Security forces in riot gear and shields on Sunday flooded the square where Bondarenko was arrested, pulling down opposition flags, kicking over …

Club-wielding police in Belarus arrest over 500 protesters
4 years, 2 months ago

Club-wielding police in Belarus arrest over 500 protesters

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Club-swinging police went after demonstrators in Belarus’ capital who were demanding the resignation of the country’s authoritarian president on Sunday, the 90th consecutive day of protests. The human rights organization Viasna said 548 people were arrested in all, including well-known model Olga Khizhinkova, a former Miss Belarus. The wave of protests, unprecedented in their size and duration, …

Dozens arrested at latest Belarus election, police protests
4 years, 2 months ago

Dozens arrested at latest Belarus election, police protests

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Police in the capital of Belarus detained dozens of demonstrators Saturday as medical workers and women held separate marches to denounce violence against anti-government protesters and to call on the country’s authoritarian president to step down.. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko reiterated that he would not give in to the three-month-long wave of daily protests spurred by his …

Tens of thousands protest in Belarus, defying warning shots
4 years, 2 months ago

Tens of thousands protest in Belarus, defying warning shots

Al Jazeera  

Huge demonstrations have flooded the capital, Minsk, for 12 straight weeks since a disputed election. Riot police fired warning shots into the air, used stun grenades and made arrests to deter tens of thousands of Belarusians who marched through Minsk to demand veteran leader Alexander Lukashenko leave power. Despite Lukashenko’s most recent threat to “take no prisoners”, protesters began marching …

Strikers in Belarus press for authoritarian leader’s ouster
4 years, 2 months ago

Strikers in Belarus press for authoritarian leader’s ouster

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Factory workers, students and business owners in Belarus on Monday began a strike to demand that authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko resign after more than two months of continuing mass protests following a disputed election. Near-daily protests were unleashed in the former Soviet country of 9.5 million after officials said the Aug. 9 election gave Lukashenko a landslide …

Over 50,000 march in Belarus against authoritarian leader
4 years, 2 months ago

Over 50,000 march in Belarus against authoritarian leader

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Tens of thousands of people marched through the streets of Belarus’ capital on Sunday, demanding the ouster of the country’s authoritarian leader who won his sixth term in office in an election widely seen as rigged. On Monday, the country’s Interior Ministry threatened to use firearms against the protesters “if need be,” saying that the rallies “have …

Belarus: Video shows dramatic moment taxi driver helps fleeing protestor escape armed police
4 years, 3 months ago

Belarus: Video shows dramatic moment taxi driver helps fleeing protestor escape armed police

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks …

Over 360 more detained in Belarus in protests against leader
4 years, 3 months ago

Over 360 more detained in Belarus in protests against leader

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Over 360 more people have been detained in Belarus during protests against the country’s authoritarian president, who was unexpectedly sworn in to his sixth term in office after an election the opposition says was rigged. Thousands of Belarusians took to the streets of the capital of Minsk and other cities on Wednesday evening to protest President Alexander …

Rights group: Dozens in Belarus investigated amid protests
4 years, 3 months ago

Rights group: Dozens in Belarus investigated amid protests

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Authorities in Belarus, that’s seen six weeks of protests against the country’s authoritarian president after a disputed election, have opened more than 250 criminal cases that target political opponents, activists and protesters, a Belarusian human rights group said Tuesday. Belarus has been engulfed in daily protests since Aug. 9, when President Alexander Lukashenko won his sixth term …

March of 100,000 marks week 7 of Belarus protests
4 years, 3 months ago

March of 100,000 marks week 7 of Belarus protests

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Tens of thousands of Belarusians calling for the authoritarian president to resign marched through the capital Sunday as the country’s wave of protests entered its seventh week. Protests began Aug. 9 after an election that official results say gave President Alexander Lukashenko a sixth term in office; opponents and some poll workers say the results were manipulated. …

March of 100,000 marks week 7 of Belarus protests
4 years, 3 months ago

March of 100,000 marks week 7 of Belarus protests

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Protests began Aug. 9 after an election that official …

Rights group: More than 300 detained at Minsk women’s march
4 years, 3 months ago

Rights group: More than 300 detained at Minsk women’s march

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Police in the capital of Belarus cracked down sharply Saturday on a women’s protest march demanding the authoritarian president’s resignation, arresting more than 300 including an elderly woman who has become a symbol of the six weeks of protest that have roiled the country. The human rights group Viasna said more than 320 people were arrested in …

Rights group: More than 200 women detained at Minsk protest
4 years, 3 months ago

Rights group: More than 200 women detained at Minsk protest

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Police in the capital of …

Belarus leader Lukashenko disparages protests as US plan
4 years, 3 months ago

Belarus leader Lukashenko disparages protests as US plan

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — Belarus’ authoritarian leader on Wednesday sought to disparage protesters demanding his resignation for a sixth straight week following a disputed election by accusing the United States of fomenting the unrest. He said re-establishing a national consensus “is absolutely essential for the harmonious development of the country.” Sergei Naryshkin, director of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, claimed in a statement …

Belarus protests enter 6th week, still demand leader resign
4 years, 3 months ago

Belarus protests enter 6th week, still demand leader resign

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — More than 100,000 demonstrators calling for the authoritarian president of Belarus to resign marched through the capital of Minsk on Sunday as the daily protests that have gripped the nation entered their sixth week. Many in the crowd, which the human rights group Viasna estimated as numbering more than 150,000, carried placards critical of Russia, reflecting concerns …

At least 100,000 Belarus protesters flood streets to demand end of Lukashenko
4 years, 3 months ago

At least 100,000 Belarus protesters flood streets to demand end of Lukashenko

Live Mint  

At least 100,000 Belarusian protesters took to the streets of Minsk on Sunday in one of the biggest demonstrations yet against President Alexander Lukashenko after he claimed a landslide victory in an election his opponents say was rigged. As public anger continued to build against Lukashenko, who has ruled the former Soviet nation for 26 years, Moscow offered him support …

Massive Protests Continue In Belarus As Demonstrators Demand Lukashenko Resign
4 years, 3 months ago

Massive Protests Continue In Belarus As Demonstrators Demand Lukashenko Resign

NPR  

Massive Protests Continue In Belarus As Demonstrators Demand Lukashenko Resign Enlarge this image toggle caption TUT.BY/AFP via Getty Images TUT.BY/AFP via Getty Images More than 100,000 protesters flooded the streets of the capital Minsk on Sunday in ongoing protests calling for Belarus' authoritarian president to resign. Sunday's protests come on the eve of President Alexander Lukashenko's planned meeting on Monday …

10,000 women march to demand that Belarus president resign
4 years, 3 months ago

10,000 women march to demand that Belarus president resign

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — About 10,000 women marched noisily through the Belarusian capital on Saturday, beating pots and pans and shouting for the resignation of the country’s authoritarian president in the 35th consecutive day of large anti-government protests. Others carried placards reading “ “You painted my heart with blue pain,” referring to President Alexander Lukashenko’s claim that some women previously had …

The opposition in Belarus has faced a campaign of violence and threats from President Alexander Lukashenko. How did it get here?
4 years, 4 months ago

The opposition in Belarus has faced a campaign of violence and threats from President Alexander Lukashenko. How did it get here?

ABC  

Unprecedented protests on the street, a rigged election and an authoritarian leader who refuses to budge. After the initial public violence inflicted against protesters, which stoked international outrage and only swelled the ranks of the opposition, authorities in Belarus have switched to threats and selective arrests of activists and demonstrators. France issued strong condemnation "of arbitrary arrests and the practice …

Opinion: The amazing bravery of three women in Belarus has a message for the US
4 years, 4 months ago

Opinion: The amazing bravery of three women in Belarus has a message for the US

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Frida Ghitis, a former CNN producer and correspondent, is a world affairs columnist. That’s where an unlikely trio of women has led a mass pro-democracy uprising aiming at toppling Alexander Lukashenko, a Soviet-era leader who has held power for more than a quarter-century. Lukashenko’s main rival for the presidency was Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, a former school teacher who emerged …

Belarus: Three women stood up to Alexander Lukashenko, Europe’s longest-serving dictator. Here’s what happened to them
4 years, 4 months ago

Belarus: Three women stood up to Alexander Lukashenko, Europe’s longest-serving dictator. Here’s what happened to them

CNN  

CNN — Five weeks have passed since Belarus learned the results of its presidential election, in which the country’s Central Election Commission announced that President Alexander Lukashenko, often described as Europe’s last dictator, had won with 80.23% of the vote. She told CNN in an interview on August 13 that Lukashenko “has to accept that the Belarusian people don’t like …

Belarus Opposition Activists Go Missing, Colleagues Fear Detention
4 years, 4 months ago

Belarus Opposition Activists Go Missing, Colleagues Fear Detention

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING KYIV, Ukraine — A leading opposition activist in Belarus and two other members of an opposition council went missing Monday, raising fears they were detained as authorities seek to squelch nearly a month of protests against the re-election of the country’s authoritarian leader. Council member Maxim Znak said Kolesnikova’s colleagues fear she was detained and two other …

Belarus protests against President Alexander Lukashenko enter second month
4 years, 4 months ago

Belarus protests against President Alexander Lukashenko enter second month

ABC  

Authorities were filmed beating a man and about 100 people were arrested in the Belarus capital of Minsk as protests against President Alexander Lukashenko enter a second month. Key points: Protesters waved red and white opposition flags Several were injured during a protest at a state-run tractor factory The country has experienced unrest since the August 9 election, which many …

Hundreds detained as security forces crack down on mass protest in Belarus
4 years, 4 months ago

Hundreds detained as security forces crack down on mass protest in Belarus

Hindustan Times  

Security forces in Belarus detained scores of protesters and were filmed beating a man as he lay on the street, as the authorities launched a crackdown on mass demonstrations against President Alexander Lukashenko. Belarusian opposition supporters try to speak to riot policemen as they gather in front of a police line toward the Independence Palace, residence of the President Alexander …

100,000 march in Minsk to demand Belarus leader resigns
4 years, 4 months ago

100,000 march in Minsk to demand Belarus leader resigns

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched Sunday to the outskirts of the presidential residence in the capital of Belarus, calling for the country’s authoritarian leader to resign as protests against President Alexander Lukashenko entered their fifth week. Protests also took place in major cities throughout Belarus, said Interior Ministry spokeswoman Olga Chemodanova. Police and army troops blocked …

Thousands of women in Belarus continue protest pressure against President Alexander Lukashenko
4 years, 4 months ago

Thousands of women in Belarus continue protest pressure against President Alexander Lukashenko

ABC  

Thousands of women have marched through the capital of Belarus calling for the resignation of the authoritarian president, and university students have demonstrated against the detention of classmates. Key points: Police followed the marching women but no arrests have been reported People also protested against the detention of 20 students of the State Linguistics University A leading protest organiser has …

Belarus protesters continue pressure on Lukashenko with new march
4 years, 4 months ago

Belarus protesters continue pressure on Lukashenko with new march

Al Jazeera  

Protests against strongman Lukashenko intensify as 100,000 take to the streets of Minsk following disputed re-election. Video footage shown by local media outlet TUT.BY showed women shouting “shame” at masked members of the security forces who dragged people away into detention. No matter how many riot police he’s deployed to the streets, it just hasn’t stopped people from continuing to …

Belarus protests: Scores detained as students march against President
4 years, 4 months ago

Belarus protests: Scores detained as students march against President

The Hindu  

Authorities in Belarus detained scores of university students who took to the streets Tuesday to demand that authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko resign after an election the opposition has denounced as rigged. “The new party agenda is constitutional changes and I think this should be done after the elections.” She warned that Lukashenko’s government shouldn’t hope the protests will lose steam. …

Students detained in Belarus after thousands protest against government
4 years, 4 months ago

Students detained in Belarus after thousands protest against government

CNN  

Minsk, Belarus CNN — Authorities in Belarus have instigated a harsh crackdown on student protesters after thousands demonstrated against the government Tuesday, according to a local human rights group. The detentions followed major protests by the young in the Belarusian capital, with around 3,000 to 5,000 students marching to the city’s Independence Square on Tuesday, according to Human Rights watchdog …

Belarusian police disperse Minsk protesters, detain dozens
4 years, 4 months ago

Belarusian police disperse Minsk protesters, detain dozens

Associated Press  

MINSK, Belarus — Police in Belarus dispersed protesters who gathered on the capital’s central square Wednesday, detaining dozens in an effort to end weeks of demonstrations challenging the re-election of the country’s authoritarian ruler. Shortly after several hundred protesters gathered on the Independence Square for an evening protest that has become a daily occurrence, waving their red-and-white flags and chanting …

Belarus protesters flood into Minsk, briefly approach Lukashenko residence
4 years, 4 months ago

Belarus protesters flood into Minsk, briefly approach Lukashenko residence

The Hindu  

Tens of thousands of protesters demanding President Alexander Lukashenko step down flooded into Minsk on Sunday, at one point staging a brief demonstration near his residence, as the Belarus army warned the crowd it would respond to any unrest. The crowd marched towards Mr. Lukashenko’s residence at the Independence Palace, on the northern edge of the capital, the majority gathering …

Video shows armed Belarus president as protests roil capital
4 years, 4 months ago

Video shows armed Belarus president as protests roil capital

Associated Press  

MINSK, Belarus — The authoritarian president of Belarus made a dramatic show of defiance Sunday against the massive protests demanding his resignation, toting a rifle and wearing a bulletproof vest as he strode off a helicopter that landed at his residence while demonstrators massed nearby. In the 15th day of the largest and most determined protests ever in independent Belarus, …

Armed Belarus president seen on video as protests roil capital
4 years, 4 months ago

Armed Belarus president seen on video as protests roil capital

LA Times  

Demonstrators fill the streets of Minsk, Belarus, on Sunday. Demonstrators are in the streets of the Belarusian capital and other cities, keeping up their push for the resignation of the nation’s authoritarian leader, President Alexander Lukashenko. In the 15th day of the largest and most determined protests in independent Belarus, a crowd of about 200,000 rallied against President Alexander Lukashenko …

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