Nobel Laureate Alexievich Leaves Belarus For Medical Treatment In Germany
Nobel Laureate Alexievich Leaves Belarus For Medical Treatment In Germany
Belarusian writer Svetlana Alexievich speaks to journalists at her home in Minsk on September 9.
Belarusian Nobel Prize-winning writer Svetlana Alexievich has left the country for treatment in Germany, according to an aide and a friend.
The departure of Alexievich, a prominent opposition figure, comes amid mass protests against Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
Alexievich is a member of the Belarusian opposition Coordination Council's presidium that has been targeted by the authorities since protests erupted after Lukashenka was declared winner of the August 9 presidential election, which the opposition and Western countries say was rigged.
Her friend Maria Voiteshonok told AFP that Alexievich had gone to Germany for planned treatment.
"She will return to Belarus in a month. She is not dropping her activities as a Coordination Council member," Voiteshonok said.
She added that Alexievich also planned to visit Italy, where she has been awarded a literary prize.
An aide to Alexievich told Reuters that her departure was not linked to politics and she planned to return.
The aide said Alexievich had traveled to Germany to receive medical treatment and for work reasons.
The 72-year-old Alexievich was the only member of the council presidium to remain free in Belarus after the other six were either arrested or forced to leave the country.
Hundreds of thousands of Belarusians have taken to the streets for seven weeks, calling for Lukashenka to step down and new elections to be held.
Tens Of Thousands March On 50th Day Of Protests In Belarus
1/21The 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.
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.
3/21People 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.
4/21Military 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.
5/21People 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.
6/21According 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.
7/21Despite 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.
8/21Belarusian 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.
9/21Protesters 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.
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.
11/21A 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.
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.
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.
14/21At 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.
15/21Mass 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.
16/21A 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.
17/21Special 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.
18/21The 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.
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.
20/21When 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.
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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Lukashenka has directed a brutal postelection crackdown in response to protests, including thousands of arrests, beatings and other mistreatment of peaceful protesters, and the expulsions of foreign journalists.
He has denied accusations that the presidential election was rigged.
