University students walked out of class on the first day of term to protest against the disputed re-election of Belarus’ authoritarian president Alexander Lukashenko. Belarusian police confirmed that a number of people were detained as they marched towards the Education Ministry building in the capital Minsk. Social media videos verified by Euronews show students breaking through police cordons as authorities attempted to force the crowd to change route. Some held banners demanding freedom for political prisoners, as passing vehicles sounded their horns in support.
The demonstrations marked a fourth week of mass protests that have rocked the country since the disputed election result on August 9.The Viasna human rights centre reported that at least 62 people were detained, including eight journalists. Euronews has seen images of injured protestors who say they were assaulted by police. Michaś, a student at the Belarusian State Medical University, did not strike from classes, but later joined an estimated 200 students on the university’s steps after his studies. “It has to change,” he told Euronews on Tuesday. “By this protest, we want to show that…all kinds of people here in our country are against Lukashenko’s government, many strains of people are participating”.
Students taking part in the walkouts told Euronews they were prepared to risk arrest to get their message across.”We want to live in this country, but we have to build our dream on our own,” another student, Anastasia, told Euronews. “I’m not afraid of being arrested but I am afraid to live in this violence and dictatorship that I see.”
Source: Euronews
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