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Thousands Take to Streets of Minsk in Ongoing Protests

VOA News

   Police in Minsk, Belarus used water cannon to disperse crowds as
   protests against President Alexander Lukashenko continued for the ninth
   straight Sunday. An estimated 100,000 people took to the streets of the
   capital Sunday.

   Since the longtime president claimed victory in a contested election
   August 9, protesters have regularly taken to the streets demanding his
   resignation and the release of political prisoners.

   Lukashenko maintains he won the poll in a landslide -- garnering 80% of
   all ballots -- despite widespread claims at home and abroad the vote
   was heavily rigged to keep him in power.

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