Hundreds in Warsaw Protest Political Repression in Belarus
Voice of America
WARSAW, POLAND - Hundreds of people, among them many Belarusians living in exile in Poland, marched Sunday in Warsaw to protest political repression in neighboring Belarus — a demonstration held on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the Belarus presidential election that they consider rigged.
Many carried the Belarusian opposition's red-and-white flag, which is banned in Belarus, and chanted "Long live Belarus!" The protest focused on the Aug. 9, 2020, presidential election in Belarus in which President Alexander Lukashenko was awarded a sixth term in a vote that the opposition and many in the West view as fraudulent. A belief that the vote was stolen triggered mass protests in Belarus that led to increased repressions by Lukashenko's regime on protesters, dissidents and independent media. More than 35,000 people were arrested and thousands were beaten and jailed.A man takes a photograph of the election results at the National Results Operation Centre of the IEC in Midrand, South Africa, June 2, 2024. African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, briefs the media on results of the elections at the Results Operation Centre in Midland, Johannesburg, June 2, 2024.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue summit at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore, June 2, 2024. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, shakes hand with Malaysian Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin, left, and Singaporean Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen at the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue summit at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore, June 2, 2024.
Supporters of the ruling Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) hold cutouts of India's Prime Minister and their leader, Narendra Modi, as they shout slogans during an election campaign rally in Amritsar on May 30, 2024. A man watching television waits for the release of exit polls published after voting concludes during its seventh and final phase amid India's general election, at an appliance store in Ajmer on June 1, 2024.
FILE - In this photo provided by Jeonbuk Fire Headquarters, balloons with trash presumably sent by North Korea hang on electric wires as South Korean army soldiers stand guard in Muju, South Korea, May 29, 2024. This photo provided by Incheon Fire Headquarters shows balloons with trash presumably sent by North Korea, in Incheon, South Korea, June 2, 2024.
FILE - A target is hit with artillery fire as U.S and Moroccan military forces take part in the 20th edition of the African Lion military exercise, in Tantan, south of Agadir, Morocco, May 31, 2024 FILE - Members of the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces stand guard as they take part in the 20th edition of the African Lion military exercise, in Tantan, south of Agadir, Morocco, May 31, 2024. FILE - Gen. Michael Langley, USMC, Commander, U.S. Africa Command, center, and Major Gen. Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of Moroccan Royal Armed Forces, attend the African Lion military exercise, in Tantan, Morocco, May 31, 2024. FILE - Members of the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces take part in the 20th edition of the African Lion military exercise, in Tantan, south of Agadir, Morocco, May 31, 2024. FILE - F16 fighter jets perform a maneuver as part of the African Lion military exercise, over Tantan, south of Agadir, Morocco, May 31, 2024.
People march during a rally in support of Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his party in Budapest, Hungary, June 1, 2024. Orbán with 14 years in power is the European Union's longest serving leader. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán addresses people as they gather to support him and his party during a 'peace march' in Budapest, Hungary, June 1, 2024. People march during a rally in support of Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his party in Budapest, Hungary, June 1, 2024.