Image copyright
EPA
As far as the protesters outside the prison are concerned, President Lukashenko got 0% of the vote
Protesters in Belarus have gathered outside a prison to mark the birthday of the jailed husband of the country’s main opposition figure amid anger over a disputed election.
Sergei Tikhanovsky, who has just turned 42, was imprisoned alongside other rivals of President Alexander Lukashenko ahead of the 9 August poll.
His wife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya ran in his place but later fled to Lithuania.
She officially secured about 10% of the vote, and Mr Lukashenko more than 80%.
There were no independent observers. The opposition has held daily protests over the past 10 days, alleging massive vote-rigging.
Hundreds of protesters have been wounded and two have died in clashes with police. Thousands have been arrested, and many have spoken of torture at the hands of security forces.
- What’s happening in Belarus?
- ‘The people will not forgive this’
Mr Lukashenko, who has led Belarus since 1994, insists he has won fairly and has ruled out holding another election.
What happened on Tuesday?
Hundreds of opposition supporters gathered outside the jail in the capital, Minsk, where Mr Tikhanovsky is being detained on charges of inciting violence.
Many held red-and-white balloons, the colours of the opposition, while some chanted “happy birthday Sergei” and sang a song about prison walls coming down.
Ms Tikhanovskaya, 37, said her husband was spending his birthday in prison because of “a crime he did not commit”.
“All of this blatant lawlessness and injustice shows how this rotting system works, in which one person controls everything, one person who has kept the country in fear for 26 years, one person who robbed Belarusians of their choice,” she said in a video message.
Image copyright
EPA
Many protesters regard Svetlana Tikhanovskaya as the legitimately elected president
Ms Tikhanovskaya says that if votes had been counted correctly, she would have won a comfortable majority.
What has Lukashenko said?
The 65-year-old president remains defiant. He has called opposition leaders “rats” and on Tuesday accused them of attempting a coup.
Speaking as opposition leaders formed a co-ordinating council aimed at organising a transfer of power, Mr Lukashenko said: “We definitely consider this as an attempt to seize power.”
- In pictures: Striking images from Belarus protests
- ‘Breathing freedom’ – Belarusians hope for change
Also on Tuesday, he awarded medals “for impeccable service” to security officials who have helped him crack down on protesters.
At the weekend, more than 100,000 people gathered in Minsk – the largest protest held in Belarus since it declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1990 – to express opposition to his rule.
Media playback is unsupported on your device
Strike action is also keeping up the pressure on the president. State TV and key factories have been affected and on Tuesday postal workers reportedly joined the strikes.
- ‘If you croak we don’t care’: brutality in Belarus
- Five things you may not know about the country
On a visit to a tractor plant on Monday, Mr Lukashenko defended the official election tally, telling workers: “We held the election. Until you kill me, there will be no other election.”
But as he spoke, many in the audience booed him and chanted “leave”.
What’s happening internationally?
Mr Lukashenko, who has maintained close ties with neighbouring Russia, has sought Moscow’s help, saying President Vladimir has promised to provide assistance in the event of any external military threat.
On Tuesday Mr Putin had phone calls with both Emmanuel Macron of France and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Both said the Belarusian government must start a dialogue with the opposition. Mr Putin told them that foreign interference would only escalate the crisis, Russian officials say.
EU leaders are to hold an emergency video summit on Wednesday. EU foreign ministers agreed last week to prepare new sanctions against Belarusian officials responsible for “violence, repression and the falsification of election results”.
On Monday, the UK said it did not accept the results of the “fraudulent” election and US President Donald Trump said his administration was following the “terrible situation” in Belarus closely.
More about the protests in Belarus
Media playback is unsupported on your device