Security forces deployed in Minsk, capital of Belarus, September 6, 2020. -

Natalia Fedosenko / TASS / Sipa USA / SIPA

Belarusian police on Monday reported 633 arrests during the massive opposition demonstration on Sunday, which aimed to protest the controversial re-election in early August of President Alexander Lukashenko.

They were arrested "for breach of the law on mass events," the Belarusian interior ministry said in a statement.

In addition, witnesses reported the arrest on Monday of Maria Kolesnikova, a prominent Belarusian opposition figure and one of the few who chose not to go into exile abroad.

She was reportedly taken in a vehicle Monday morning by strangers and no longer answers her phone.

According to the ministry, 363 people remained in pre-trial detention on Monday pending the examination of their cases by the courts.

This is the highest number of arrests at an opposition demonstration since the first protests following the presidential election of August 9, severely repressed by the police.

Fourth weekend of mobilizations

More than 100,000 people marched in central Minsk on Sunday at the call of the opposition for the fourth consecutive weekend of mass mobilization, despite an impressive deployment of the police and the army in the capital.

Images showed hooded men in civilian clothes and armed with batons driving around the city center chasing protesters.

Other protest actions took place in many cities across the country, notably in Grodno (west) or Brest (west).

Alexandre Loukachenko, 66, including 26 at the head of Belarus, continues to exclude any dialogue and seeks support from Moscow.

Far from backing down, the authorities last week stepped up arrests in response to the mobilization of students.

The repression had been particularly brutal in the first days following the August 9 election.

At least three people were killed, dozens injured and more than 7,000 arrested during the first demonstrations.

Numerous cases of torture and ill-treatment had also been documented.

World

Belarus: Mobilization against Alexander Lukashenko intensifies despite repression

World

Belarus: Students march against Alexander Lukashenko for their return

  • Alexander Lukashenko

  • World

  • Demonstration

  • Belarus