Minsk, Nov. 29, LETA – AFP / REUTERS / DOŽDJ. Opposition supporters took to the streets of Minsk again on Sunday to protest the authoritarian regime of Alexander Lukashenko and the rigging of the presidential election.
The protests in Belarus have been going on for more than three months, but in recent weeks the authorities have returned to a determined discussion of the demonstrations.
Hundreds of people have been detained and militias are trying to prevent opponents from gathering in central Minsk.
This has led the opposition to change tactics, calling on its supporters to hold smaller rallies in each of the capital’s districts, in each of the neighborhoods.
The online publication Nash Niva reports that a total of about 60 protests, called “neighborhood marches”, took place in Minsk on Sunday.
“Large crowds have gathered in all districts of Minsk without exception. Lukashenko’s militia is desperately disturbing from district to district,” Nexta Live, the Telegram channel, is helping to coordinate the demonstrations.
As on previous weekends, several metro stations in the center of the capital have been closed and mobile communications have been disrupted.
There is a massive militia presence, and the web publication Tut.by reports that the regime’s security forces are once again using sticks, noise grenades and tear gas to disperse demonstrators.
The human rights defenders’ organization Vjasna reports that at least 159 people have been detained by 17.00 (16.00 Latvian time).
Among those detained is economist Sergei Kruk, a member of the Coordination Council set up by the opposition.
Protests against the Lukashenko regime in Belarus have continued since the August 9 presidential election. Former President Lukashenko has been declared the winner, but the opposition accuses the regime of widespread falsification of the election results and demands his resignation.
The European Union has imposed sanctions on those responsible for falsifying the results of the presidential election in Belarus and suppressing protests, and has stated that it does not consider Lukashenko a legitimate president.
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