Belarus protests against President Lukashenko continue but 250 people detained by police
- Masked agents in uniform and plain clothes snatched people from the streets as they assembled for the March of Heroes demonstration
- Protests began after Lukashenko, who has ruled the former Soviet state for 26 years, claimed re-election with 80 per cent
“Some 250 people were detained in various districts of the capital,” the interior ministry said in a statement, adding that those detained were carrying flags and “offensive” placards.
Access to mobile internet was limited and central metro stations closed, with authorities moving police vans, military vehicles and barbed wire into the centre ahead of the protest.
Despite the violent detentions, tens of thousands of protesters gathered in the city centre for a new massive march.
“I came out for freedom and I am going to protest until we win it through peaceful means,” said Oleg Zimin, a 60-year-old protester who did not vote for Lukashenko.
Belarusians have been demonstrating against Lukashenko’s disputed re-election for a month, with more than 100,000 people flooding the streets of Minsk for four straight weekends.