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The protests against Lukashenko have lasted for two months, since the criticized presidential elections in August.
Since then, demonstrations have been held every Sunday and hundreds of thousands of people have expressed their dissatisfaction with the regime in power.
Even before today’s demonstration, several people were arrested both in Minsk and in other cities in Belarus.
On Sunday, police used water cannons to arrest protesters at Nemigagatan in Minsk, Swedish radio reports.
77 political prisoners
Today’s demonstration was called “March for the liberation of political prisoners.” The human rights organization Viasna reports Saturday that a total of 77 political prisoners are incarcerated in Belarus.
According to Swedish Radio, protesters could be seen holding posters with photographs of detainees, such as Maria Kolesnikova from the opposition coordination council.
Last Sunday 53 people who participated in the demonstrations were arrested, and since the elections a total of thousands of arrests have been registered. There have also been reports of torture and inhuman treatment.
EU countries have imposed sanctions
Earlier this week, the European Council decided to impose sanctions on 40 people responsible for oppressing and threatening peaceful protesters, members of the opposition and journalists, following the presidential elections.
EU leaders also called for the release of political detainees and prisoners.
