Belarus saw continued protests on Sunday, including a ‘Partisan March’ in Minsk
On Sunday, October 18, another peaceful opposition demonstration took place in Minsk (Belarus has seen ongoing protests across the country since the contested presidential elections on August 9). Sunday’s protest in the capital was dubbed the “Partisan March” as opposition demonstrators marched along Partizansky Avenue. The day before, Belarusian police officials announced plans to “humanely use” firearms against those involved in active resistance. Beginning on Sunday morning, law enforcement officers cordoned off administrative buildings and central squares in Minsk. Units of riot police and internal troops cordoned off the area around the Avtozavodskaya Subway Station on Partizansky Avenue, blocking the road with barbed wire and water cannons. When they reached the cordon, the protesters headed in the opposite direction. Around this time, sounds resembling stun grenade explosions were heard in the area around the Belarus Department Store on Zhilunovicha Street. Police officials stated that they didn’t use special equipment against protesters, but confirmed that officers fired rubber bullets into the air several times after demonstrators started throwing stones at them. According to human rights activists, more than 100 people were arrested for participating in various protests across Belarus on October 18.
AFP / Scanpix / LETA