Photos: Belarusian protesters hold tokens of resistance, describe fear

A large number of protesters took over the streets and landmarks in Minsk, Belarus, demonstrating against President Alexander Lukashenko’s 26-year rule. Behind each protester in Belarus, is a surprising story of awakening. From an actor using his theatre as backdrop for revolt, ready to sabotage his career to seek a freer nation, to a police officer who quit his job, ashamed of violence by his colleagues and a paramedic who treated victims of that brutality, wielding white roses in response, protester held signs or personal tokens of resistance, and described their fears and hopes to The Associated Press, after nearly two weeks of protests.

Updated on: Aug 25, 2020 10:55 AM IST

News

Share via

• 
• 
• 
• 

Copy link

• 

1/10

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Aug 25, 2020 10:55 AM

Mihail Zui, 39, an actor of the Yanka Kupala National Theatre poses for a photo showing his resignation letter in Minsk on August 18. After the theatre’s director decided to support the protesters against President Alexander Lukashenko’s 26-year rule, he was fired — and Zui and most of the other performers quit in solidarity and anger. (Evgeniy Maloletka / AP)

2/10

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Aug 25, 2020 10:55 AM

Tatyana, 29, an ambulance paramedic poses for a photo holding white roses during an opposition rally near Independence Square in Minsk on August 17. “Despite what they were subjected to, (protesters) didn’t respond with violence,” she told AP, holding her roses and pointing to children mixed in among the protesting crowds as a sign of hope that they will remain peaceful. “They just want justice.” (Evgeniy Maloletka / AP)

3/10

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Aug 25, 2020 10:55 AM

Alexander Ahremchyk, a former policeman poses for a photo showing his medals and officer’s epaulets in Minsk on August 21. Ahremchyk displayed his insignia and medals, which he no longer wears after quitting the service in the wake of the protests. “My resignation is a protest itself,” he told AP. He said he doesn’t object to his bosses, but to “the unjustified violence toward those who were detained. (Evgeniy Maloletka / AP)

4/10

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Aug 25, 2020 10:55 AM

Valeria, 19, a student poses for a photo holding a handmade poster that reads “Peaceful people for the free choice” during an opposition rally in front of a detention centre in Minsk on August 17. (Evgeniy Maloletka / AP)

5/10

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Aug 25, 2020 10:55 AM

Alexander Laubert, 18, a student poses for a photo on crutches due to a broken knee after being beaten by police during a protest, in Minsk on August 18. Laubert endured two days of being beaten, trampled on, nearly suffocated and doused in gasoline before volunteers finally brought him to a hospital for treatment and a leg cast, AP reported. (Evgeniy Maloletka / AP)

6/10

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Aug 25, 2020 10:55 AM

Nikolay, 30, poses for a photo wearing a Batman mask during an opposition rally at Independence Square in Minsk on August 19. The protesters come from various generations and walks of life in this country that forms a buffer between Russia and Europe, and that long seemed frozen in the repressive calm of the Soviet era. Until now. (Evgeniy Maloletka / AP)

7/10

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Aug 25, 2020 10:55 AM

Ales Varhamiev, 62, a pensioner and singer, plays a guitar as he poses for a photo during an opposition rally in Independence Square in Minsk on August 20. Varhamiev brought his guitar to play the protesters’ anti-Lukashenko anthem “Cockroach, Get Out!” (Evgeniy Maloletka / AP)

8/10

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Aug 25, 2020 10:55 AM

Olga Baryshnikova, 24, a student and a singer in a choir, poses for a photo wearing Belarusian national costume in Minsk on August 19. Baryshnikova took a lunch break from the nearby musical academy and came to sing to the protesters, in a gesture of support. She said she can’t sit silent at a time like this. “I hurt for Belarus,” she told AP. (Evgeniy Maloletka / AP)

9/10

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Aug 25, 2020 10:55 AM

Pavel Stavpinskiy, 43, poses for a photo holding up his fingers in a victory sign. Stavpinskiy joined the protests after working as an observer in the presidential election, in which most opposition candidates were jailed or exiled. (Evgeniy Maloletka / AP)

10/10

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on Aug 25, 2020 10:55 AM

Viktoria Bogutenko, an employee at the refrigerator factory “Atlant,” poses for a photo during an opposition rally in front of the factory in Minsk on August 18. At the Atlant refrigerator factory, a rare strike this week prompted even more rare public political debate. Bogutenko, a student and young employee, pushed past a picket line to make her evening shift, holding a historic red-and-white Belarusian flag in her own form of protest, AP reported. (Evgeniy Maloletka / AP)