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Thousands take to the streets in Belarus to protest against President Alexander Lukashenko.
The capital, Minsk, has been besieged by a large police presence in areas such as Independence Square and the Interior Ministry has reported 125 arrests so far.
Opposition groups chanted “Defamation” and “leave” in a standoff with police.
Belarus has been caught up in mass protests since the August 9 election, believed to have been marred by massive crackdowns.
Mr Lukashenko, who has been in power for 26 years, said he had no intention of stepping down and denied electoral fraud.
What’s the latest on the streets?
It is very tense, with a large number of riot police carrying balloons, flowers and red-and-white window flags of the protesters.
The BBC’s Steve Rosenberg in Minsk says there have been far more police in the past two Sundays than in previous protests. He says some protesters are trying to stop rioting police on the road, while others are “defaming” and chanting “go away”.
Image copyright pyrite
EPA
Much more police were seen on the roads than in previous protests
Some mocked Mr. Lukashenko on his 66th birthday, carrying a cockroach puppet and chanting “Happy Birthday, you mice.”
A large group of protesters marched on Mr Lukashenko’s residence at Independence Palace, heavily guarded by riot police and water cannon vehicles. Armed personnel carriers were seen heading to the area for his rescue.
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Many roads in Minsk were blocked by police in an attempt to prevent people from reaching the main protest areas.
Other small protests have been reported in towns such as Brest and Grodno.
Image copyright pyrite
Reuters
Large crowds gather around the Hero City monument in Minsk to demand an end to President Lukashenko’s rule.
Journalists have faced issues reporting unrest. On Saturday, authorities withdrew the accreditation of 17 journalists, most of them Belarusian nationals who were reporting to foreign media outlets.
Among those affected were two journalists from the BBC’s Russian service. In a statement, the BBC said: “This repression of independent journalism is condemned in the strongest terms.”
Has Lukashenko reacted?
No direct word, although the Interior Ministry has confirmed 125 arrests.
Mr Lukashenko’s press secretary reportedly sent a photo to Russian media of him carrying a machine gun outside his Independence Palace. Last Sunday he was seen wearing a flak jacket and carrying an ault salt rifle.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin telephoned Mr. Lukashenko on his birthday and reported to him to visit Moscow.
It appeared to be the latest sign of Kremlin support for a president who has not always been viewed positively by Russia.
But Mr Putin has said he has formed a police reserve force to intervene in Belarus if necessary, although “it will not be used until the situation is out of control”.
What is the background?
Unrest in Belarus has been fueled by accusations of rigging in favor of Mr Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994.
- Belarus strikes at journalists covering unrest
The leading opposition candidate, Svetlana Tikhnovskaya, was detained on the second day of the vote and flown to Lithuania, where she called for protests.
Belarus has seen unprecedented protests and workers walkout large state industries. Thousands have been arrested and numerous reports of police brutality have been received.
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At least four people have been killed and hundreds injured.
The European Union and the U.S. It is among those who reject elections for free or fair. The European Union (EU) is preparing a resolution against officials in which it accuses Mr Lukashenko of failing to deliver a victory and of trying to break the opposition movement.
Mr. Lukashenko, who has already served as president for 26 years, sued for a sixth term when election officials said he received 80% of the vote. But Ms Tikhnovskaya said she had won 60-70% based on what she considered to be fair results.
The Co-ordination Council has been targeted in criminal cases, since the opposition has set it up. Mr Lukashenko was accused of trying to seize power.
- Two jailed for protesting in Belarus
- What is happening in Belarus?
Maria Kolesnikova, the leader of the opposition inside Belarus, has been interrogated by prosecutors – such as Nobel laureate Svetlana Alekseevich.
