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Belarusian Opposition Leader Flees to Lithuania

VOA News

   Protests erupted Tuesday for a third straight night in Belarus after
   the top opposition candidate in Sunday's presidential election fled the
   country for her children's safety.

   Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya sent a video message to her supporters asking
   them to forgive her going to Lithuania at this time.

   "It was a very hard decision to make. I know that many of you will
   understand me, many others will condemn me, and some will even hate me.
   But God forbid you ever face the choice that I faced. Children are the
   main thing in life," she said.

   Her supporters say they believe she was forced to read from a prepared
   text when she told protesters not to confront police and show "respect
   for the law."

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