This archive report was first published on 23 August 2020.
On August 23, 2020, thousands of opposition followers gathered in Minsk, Belarus, to demand President Alexander Lukashenko's resignation, just two weeks after the disputed presidential election.
The protests, which were held despite a ban, were sparked by allegations of mass rigging during the August 9, 2020, election, in which President Lukashenko was declared the winner with 80% of the votes.
Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who garnered 10% of the votes, dismissed the election results and fled to neighboring Lithuania.
According to reports, 100,000 people participated in the protests, although State television estimated the crowd at 20,000.
Protestors moved towards the 'Her City' war memorial and the presidential palace but were barred by police before being dispersed.
Similar rallies were also held in other Belarusian cities, with Lithuania, Estonia, and the Czech Republic forming human chains in solidarity with the protesting people of Belarus.
President Lukashenko has faced pressure from both local and international bodies to step down, with Pope Francis urging him to respect justice and the fundamental rights of the Belarusian people.
Since the commencement of protests, four people have been killed, and those detained by police have reported being tortured.
