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In Pictures: Belarus protesters hold ‘historic’ rally

An estimated 100,000 opposition protesters rallied in Minsk while President Lukashenko rejected calls to step down.

People protesting against the election results are demanding the resignation of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and the release of political prisoners. [Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters]
People protesting against the election results are demanding the resignation of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and the release of political prisoners. [Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters]
17 Aug 2020
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Belarusians chanting “Step down!” filled the centre of the capital Minsk in the biggest protest so far against what they said was the fraudulent re-election a week ago of longtime President Alexander Lukashenko.

An estimated 100,000 opposition protesters rallied in Belarus’s capital on Sunday while Lukashenko rejected calls to step down and hold new polls.

The atmosphere at the rallies was celebratory with people carrying, red-and-white flags used in Belarus after the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union before Lukashenko restored the Soviet version four years later.

“We all want Lukashenko to step down,” said a 31-year-old worker who gave his name as Alexei. “For now we are asking, but we will get sick of asking.”

Other major towns and cities in the country of nine million also saw large rallies, local media reported.

Opponents of Lukashenko, in power for 26 years, say the vote was rigged to disguise the fact that he has lost public support. He denies losing, citing official results that gave him about 80 percent of the vote.

The opposition has called for a general strike on Monday after hundreds of workers at state-run factories downed tools on Friday in a first sign that Lukashenko’s traditional support base was turning against him.

An estimated 100,000 opposition protesters rallied in Belarus's capital, Minsk. [Sergei Grits/AP Photo]
An estimated 100,000 opposition protesters rallied in Belarus's capital, Minsk. [Sergei Grits/AP Photo]
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Demonstrators hold a banner that reads: "Fair elections. Tribunal. Freedom for political prisoners." [Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters]
Demonstrators hold a banner that reads: "Fair elections. Tribunal. Freedom for political prisoners." [Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters]
The protest on Sunday was the biggest demonstration yet against the disputed re-election of President Lukashenko. [Sergei Grits/AP Photo]
The protest on Sunday was the biggest demonstration yet against the disputed re-election of President Lukashenko. [Sergei Grits/AP Photo]
Belarusian opposition supporters rally with old Belarusian national flags in the centre of Minsk. [Dmitri Lovetsky/AP Photo]
Belarusian opposition supporters rally with old Belarusian national flags in the centre of Minsk. [Dmitri Lovetsky/AP Photo]
President Lukashenko rejected calls to step down and hold new polls. [Sergei Grits/AP Photo]
President Lukashenko rejected calls to step down and hold new polls. [Sergei Grits/AP Photo]
Opponents of Lukashenko, in power for 26 years, say the vote was rigged. [Sergei Gapon/AFP]
Opponents of Lukashenko, in power for 26 years, say the vote was rigged. [Sergei Gapon/AFP]
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Other major Belarusian towns and cities also saw large rallies. [Valery Sharifulin/TASS via Getty Images]
Other major Belarusian towns and cities also saw large rallies. [Valery Sharifulin/TASS via Getty Images]
Demonstrators flashed victory signs and held flowers and balloons with many wearing white, the colour that has come to symbolise the opposition movement. [Tatyana Zenkovich/EPA]
Demonstrators flashed victory signs and held flowers and balloons with many wearing white, the colour that has come to symbolise the opposition movement. [Tatyana Zenkovich/EPA]
Belarusian opposition supporters gather in the centre of Minsk. [Dmitri Lovetsky/AP Photo]
Belarusian opposition supporters gather in the centre of Minsk. [Dmitri Lovetsky/AP Photo]

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