Photos: Belarus election protest continues; opposition steps downs

Thousands of protesters rose in anger inMinsk, Belarus, after a state exit poll showed that long-time leader Alexander Lukashenko looked set to declare a sweeping victory by 80% in a presidential poll. The top opposition candidate in Belarus' presidential election, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya entered the race after her husband's jailing in Belarus and accused the elections of being rigged, which catalyzed the protests across cities. The police reportedly deployed to break up the protests and used batons, stun grenades, tear gas as well as rubber bullets. However, protesters continued to turn up for the protest even as it reached the third day on August 12 despite Tsikhanouskaya's stepping down.

Updated on: Aug 12, 2020 8:04 PM IST

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People argue with the police during a rally after the Belarusian presidential election in Minsk, Belarus on August 9. Thousands of protesters rose in anger in the capital Minsk after a state exit poll showed long-time leader Alexander Lukashenko looked set to declare a sweeping victory by 80% in a presidential poll, AP reported. (AP / PTI)

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A woman walks out of a voting booth after casting her ballot during the presidential election in Minsk on August 9. Belarus went to vote for the Presidential elections on August 9. (Sergei Gapon / AFP)

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A demonstrator sits on a trash container during a rally following the presidential election in Minsk, Belarus on August 10. Rallies took place in 25 Belarusian cities on August 10 overnight to contest the election results and demand re-election, AP reported. (Jedrzej Nowicki / Agencja Gazeta via REUTERS)

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Riot police detain a reporter during a rally in Minsk on August 11, 2020. AP wrote that nearly 30 journalists are among those detained, the Belarusian Association of Journalists said Wednesday. Three already were sentenced to 10 to 15 days of administrative arrest and 25 more remain in custody, awaiting their turn to face a court. (Sergei Gapon / AFP)

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An injured man receives help during a rally of opposition supporters in Minsk on August 10. According to AP, police deployed to break up the post-election protests used batons, stun grenades, tear gas and rubber bullets. One protester died Monday amid the crackdown in Minsk, and scores were injured. (Sergei Gapon / AFP)

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A person wearing a white bracelet - a symbol of the opposition - gestures from inside a window as women protest against police violence in Minsk on August 12. The anti-government demonstrators still turned out for a third straight day to protest the vote results, despite Tsikhanouskaya backed out of the elections and left for Lithuania. (Sergei Gapon / AFP)

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A tattoo reading “Flowers are better than bullets” is seen on the leg of a woman attending a demonstration against police violence during the recent rallies in Minsk on August 12. “We worked up the courage and came out to rally,” Ksenia Ilyashevich, a 23-year-old IT specialist, told AP. “Hundreds and thousands of Belarusians express solidarity with us, but are afraid (to come out). We stand here for all,” she added. (Vasily Fedosenko / REUTERS)