Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Belarus Continues Crackdown Against Opposition Protesters Charles Maynes MOSCOW, RUSSIA - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko continued a crackdown against opponents to his rule -- as thousands took to the streets Tuesday for a third straight night to protest a highly controversial election that saw him declared the winner despite allegations of vote rigging and violence by state security forces. On Tuesday, Lukashenko's main rival in the race, Svetlana Tikahnovskaya announced she had fled the country -- releasing an [1]emotional video in which she hinted that the decision was done out of concern for the safety of her family. "I thought that this campaign had really steeled me and given me so much strength that I could cope with anything," she said. "But I guess I'm still the same weak woman that I was." "Not one life is worth what is happening now," she added. "Children are the most important things in our lives." References 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DzisJ388Xs&feature=emb_logo .