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France's Macron To Meet Belarus Opposition Leader Tsikhanouskaya In Lithuania

The peaceful march on September 27 was declared the "people's inauguration for Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya," after Alyaksandr Lukashenka secretly held a presidential inauguration ceremony on September 23.
1/21 The peaceful march on September 27 was declared the "people's inauguration for Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya," after Alyaksandr Lukashenka secretly held a presidential inauguration ceremony on September 23.
More than 100,000 people marched peacefully in Minsk on September 27, while large-scale protests also took place in Homel, Hrodna, and other cities across Belarus. According to the Interior Ministry, about 200 people were detained, while human rights activists say at least 230 people were detained.
Protesters gather in Minsk on September 27.
2/21 Protesters gather in Minsk on September 27.
More than 100,000 people marched peacefully in Minsk on September 27, while large-scale protests also took place in Homel, Hrodna, and other cities across Belarus. According to the Interior Ministry, about 200 people were detained, while human rights activists say at least 230 people were detained.
People attend an opposition rally to reject the presidential election results and to protest against the inauguration of Lukashenka in Minsk on September 27.
3/21 People attend an opposition rally to reject the presidential election results and to protest against the inauguration of Lukashenka in Minsk on September 27.
More than 100,000 people marched peacefully in Minsk on September 27, while large-scale protests also took place in Homel, Hrodna, and other cities across Belarus. According to the Interior Ministry, about 200 people were detained, while human rights activists say at least 230 people were detained.
Military equipment is seen on the streets of Minsk during the protest. Participants of the march shouted "Long live Belarus!" over it.
4/21 Military equipment is seen on the streets of Minsk during the protest. Participants of the march shouted "Long live Belarus!" over it.
More than 100,000 people marched peacefully in Minsk on September 27, while large-scale protests also took place in Homel, Hrodna, and other cities across Belarus. According to the Interior Ministry, about 200 people were detained, while human rights activists say at least 230 people were detained.
People started to be detained shortly after the peaceful march started.
5/21 People started to be detained shortly after the peaceful march started.
More than 100,000 people marched peacefully in Minsk on September 27, while large-scale protests also took place in Homel, Hrodna, and other cities across Belarus. According to the Interior Ministry, about 200 people were detained, while human rights activists say at least 230 people were detained.
According to the Interior Ministry, about 200 people were detained at the rallies on September 27 around the country.
6/21 According to the Interior Ministry, about 200 people were detained at the rallies on September 27 around the country.
More than 100,000 people marched peacefully in Minsk on September 27, while large-scale protests also took place in Homel, Hrodna, and other cities across Belarus. According to the Interior Ministry, about 200 people were detained, while human rights activists say at least 230 people were detained.
Despite the arrests, more than 100,000 people took part in the march in Minsk, according to independent media estimates.
7/21 Despite the arrests, more than 100,000 people took part in the march in Minsk, according to independent media estimates.
More than 100,000 people marched peacefully in Minsk on September 27, while large-scale protests also took place in Homel, Hrodna, and other cities across Belarus. According to the Interior Ministry, about 200 people were detained, while human rights activists say at least 230 people were detained.
Belarusian opposition supporters attend a rally in Minsk.
8/21 Belarusian opposition supporters attend a rally in Minsk.
More than 100,000 people marched peacefully in Minsk on September 27, while large-scale protests also took place in Homel, Hrodna, and other cities across Belarus. According to the Interior Ministry, about 200 people were detained, while human rights activists say at least 230 people were detained.
Protesters dressed as Lukashenka and a security officer attend a rally in Minsk.
9/21 Protesters dressed as Lukashenka and a security officer attend a rally in Minsk.
More than 100,000 people marched peacefully in Minsk on September 27, while large-scale protests also took place in Homel, Hrodna, and other cities across Belarus. According to the Interior Ministry, about 200 people were detained, while human rights activists say at least 230 people were detained.
10/21
More than 100,000 people marched peacefully in Minsk on September 27, while large-scale protests also took place in Homel, Hrodna, and other cities across Belarus. According to the Interior Ministry, about 200 people were detained, while human rights activists say at least 230 people were detained.
A protester holds up a sign that reads, "Bring back my vote."
11/21 A protester holds up a sign that reads, "Bring back my vote."
More than 100,000 people marched peacefully in Minsk on September 27, while large-scale protests also took place in Homel, Hrodna, and other cities across Belarus. According to the Interior Ministry, about 200 people were detained, while human rights activists say at least 230 people were detained.
12/21
More than 100,000 people marched peacefully in Minsk on September 27, while large-scale protests also took place in Homel, Hrodna, and other cities across Belarus. According to the Interior Ministry, about 200 people were detained, while human rights activists say at least 230 people were detained.
Protesters march in Minsk.
13/21 Protesters march in Minsk.
More than 100,000 people marched peacefully in Minsk on September 27, while large-scale protests also took place in Homel, Hrodna, and other cities across Belarus. According to the Interior Ministry, about 200 people were detained, while human rights activists say at least 230 people were detained.
At about 5 p.m., according to Google Maps, traffic in Minsk was almost completely blocked.
14/21 At about 5 p.m., according to Google Maps, traffic in Minsk was almost completely blocked.
More than 100,000 people marched peacefully in Minsk on September 27, while large-scale protests also took place in Homel, Hrodna, and other cities across Belarus. According to the Interior Ministry, about 200 people were detained, while human rights activists say at least 230 people were detained.
Mass protests took place in other cities of Belarus as well. In Homel the security forces used tear gas and a flash-noise flare gun against participants of the peaceful march. People were violently detained. The sign reads "Crazy cockroach king."
15/21 Mass protests took place in other cities of Belarus as well. In Homel the security forces used tear gas and a flash-noise flare gun against participants of the peaceful march. People were violently detained. The sign reads "Crazy cockroach king."
More than 100,000 people marched peacefully in Minsk on September 27, while large-scale protests also took place in Homel, Hrodna, and other cities across Belarus. According to the Interior Ministry, about 200 people were detained, while human rights activists say at least 230 people were detained.
A protester in Homel holds a sign that reads, "Our president is Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya."
16/21 A protester in Homel holds a sign that reads, "Our president is Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya."
More than 100,000 people marched peacefully in Minsk on September 27, while large-scale protests also took place in Homel, Hrodna, and other cities across Belarus. According to the Interior Ministry, about 200 people were detained, while human rights activists say at least 230 people were detained.
Special forces brutally detain a protester in Hrodna.
17/21 Special forces brutally detain a protester in Hrodna.
More than 100,000 people marched peacefully in Minsk on September 27, while large-scale protests also took place in Homel, Hrodna, and other cities across Belarus. According to the Interior Ministry, about 200 people were detained, while human rights activists say at least 230 people were detained.
The protest rally in Mahilyou was also dispersed by security forces.
18/21 The protest rally in Mahilyou was also dispersed by security forces.
More than 100,000 people marched peacefully in Minsk on September 27, while large-scale protests also took place in Homel, Hrodna, and other cities across Belarus. According to the Interior Ministry, about 200 people were detained, while human rights activists say at least 230 people were detained.
19/21
More than 100,000 people marched peacefully in Minsk on September 27, while large-scale protests also took place in Homel, Hrodna, and other cities across Belarus. According to the Interior Ministry, about 200 people were detained, while human rights activists say at least 230 people were detained.
When people started to leave the rally in small groups, arrests began. Protesters reported that riot policemen and people in civilian clothes detained Minsk residents in courtyards.
20/21 When people started to leave the rally in small groups, arrests began. Protesters reported that riot policemen and people in civilian clothes detained Minsk residents in courtyards.
More than 100,000 people marched peacefully in Minsk on September 27, while large-scale protests also took place in Homel, Hrodna, and other cities across Belarus. According to the Interior Ministry, about 200 people were detained, while human rights activists say at least 230 people were detained.
21/21
More than 100,000 people marched peacefully in Minsk on September 27, while large-scale protests also took place in Homel, Hrodna, and other cities across Belarus. According to the Interior Ministry, about 200 people were detained, while human rights activists say at least 230 people were detained.
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French President Emmanuel Macron will meet with Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya during a visit to Lithuania on September 29.

Tsikhanouskaya claims she won the August 9 presidential election in Belarus, defeating long-ruling strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

She fled to Lithuania amid a crackdown on protesters by Lukashenka, who has refused to admit defeat.

Crisis In Belarus

Read our coverage as Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka continues his brutal crackdown on NGOs, activists, and independent media following the August 2020 presidential election.

Lukashenka had himself secretly sworn in on September 23, sparking outrage at home and abroad.

Western countries have refused to recognize Lukashenka as the legitimate leader of Belarus and have called on him to peacefully transfer power.

Protesters have taken to the streets of Belarus for 51 consecutive days to demand Lukashenka step down.

Opposition leaders, including Tsikhanouskaya, have formed a Coordination Council to facilitate the transfer of power.

Tsikahnouskaya ran for president in place of her husband, who had been arrested prior to the election.

She said she would hold a new presidential election upon taking power.

Based on reporting by AFP
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