Since the election on August 9 this year, there have been major protests in the capital Minsk.

President Alexander Lukashenko claims he won a landslide victory, but critics say the election was rigged.

According to the opposition's news channel Nexta, 10,000 people took part in Sunday's protests, but official figures are usually lower.

Protesters gathered outside the Okrestina prison in Minsk, chanting the release of all political prisoners.

During the two-month protests, 13,000 people have been arrested, some have been released, but many are believed to be locked up in Ukraine, Reuters reports.

Water cannons and limited internet access

On Sunday, several protesters were arrested by heavily armed police, who are also said to have used water cannons to stop the protests.

Some metro stations must also have been closed.

Authorities in Belarus have ordered a slowdown on Internet and telephone networks, and residents of Minsk were urged to unlock their protesters' wireless networks, according to Reuters.

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Belarusians have been protesting against President Alexander Lukashenko since the August 9 election.

Photo: SVT Archive