In Pictures

In Pictures: Belarus protesters hold ‘historic’ rally

An estimated 100,000 opposition protesters rallied in Minsk while President Lukashenko rejected calls to step down.

People take part in a protest against the presidential election results demanding the resignation of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and the release of political prisoners, in Minsk, Belarus — People protesting against the election results are demanding the resignation of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and the release of political prisoners. [Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters]

Belarusians chanting “Step down!” filled the centre of the capital Minsk in the biggest protest so far against what they said was the fraudulent re-election a week ago of longtime President Alexander Lukashenko.

An estimated 100,000 opposition protesters rallied in Belarus’s capital on Sunday while Lukashenko rejected calls to step down and hold new polls.

The atmosphere at the rallies was celebratory with people carrying, red-and-white flags used in Belarus after the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union before Lukashenko restored the Soviet version four years later.

“We all want Lukashenko to step down,” said a 31-year-old worker who gave his name as Alexei. “For now we are asking, but we will get sick of asking.”

Other major towns and cities in the country of nine million also saw large rallies, local media reported.

Opponents of Lukashenko, in power for 26 years, say the vote was rigged to disguise the fact that he has lost public support. He denies losing, citing official results that gave him about 80 percent of the vote.

The opposition has called for a general strike on Monday after hundreds of workers at state-run factories downed tools on Friday in a first sign that Lukashenko’s traditional support base was turning against him.

Belarusian opposition supporters rally in the center of Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020. Opposition supporters whose protests have convulsed the country for a week aim to hold a major march in t — An estimated 100,000 opposition protesters rallied in Belarus's capital, Minsk. [Sergei Grits/AP Photo]

Demonstrators take part in a protest against the presidential election results demanding the resignation of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and the release of political prisoners, in Minsk, — Demonstrators hold a banner that reads: "Fair elections. Tribunal. Freedom for political prisoners." [Vasily Fedosenko/Reuters]

Opposition supporters wave a huge old Belarusian national flag as they rally in the center of Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020. Opposition supporters whose protests have convulsed the country for — The protest on Sunday was the biggest demonstration yet against the disputed re-election of President Lukashenko. [Sergei Grits/AP Photo]

Belarusian opposition supporters rally with huge old Belarusian national flags in the center of Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020. Opposition supporters whose protests have convulsed the country f — Belarusian opposition supporters rally with old Belarusian national flags in the centre of Minsk. [Dmitri Lovetsky/AP Photo]

People with old Belarusian national flags shout during opposition rally in front of the government building of Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020. Opposition supporters whose protests have convulse — President Lukashenko rejected calls to step down and hold new polls. [Sergei Grits/AP Photo]

A woman Belarus opposition supporter with a drawing of a former white-red-white flag of Belarus used in opposition to the government punches the air during a demonstration in central Minsk on August 1 — Opponents of Lukashenko, in power for 26 years, say the vote was rigged. [Sergei Gapon/AFP]

MINSK, BELARUS - AUGUST 16, 2020: People take part in a protest against the 2020 Belarusian presidential election results by the Minsk Hero City Obelisk. Since the announcement of the election results — Other major Belarusian towns and cities also saw large rallies. [Valery Sharifulin/TASS via Getty Images]

epa08607635 Thousands of people attend a rally in support of the Belarusian Opposition to demonstrate against police brutality and the presidential election results, in Minsk, Belarus, 16 August 2020. — Demonstrators flashed victory signs and held flowers and balloons with many wearing white, the colour that has come to symbolise the opposition movement. [Tatyana Zenkovich/EPA]