Tens of thousands have again taken to the streets in Belarus, facing off against riot police to protest against President Alexander Lukashenko. A huge police presence cordoned off areas such as Independence Square in the capital, Minsk, and the interior ministry reported at least 140 arrests. Protesters chanted ”disgrace” and ”leave” in standoffs with police.
It was very tense, with large numbers of riot police facing off against lines of protesters carrying balloons, flowers and red-and-white opposition flags. Reporting at the height of the protests, the BBC’s Steve Rosenberg in Minsk said there were far more police than on the past two Sundays when similar rallies were held. Some protesters lay down on the road to try to prevent riot police from moving, with others chanting ”disgrace” and ”go away”.
Some mocked Mr Lukashenko on his 66th birthday, carrying a cockroach puppet and chanting ”happy birthday, you rat”. Many streets were blocked off by police to try to prevent people reaching the main protest areas. One large group of protesters marched towards Mr Lukashenko’s residence at the Independence Palace, which was heavily protected by riot police and water cannon vehicles.
Armoured personnel carriers were seen moving in the area, although reports later said they were also seen leaving and that the crowds were dispersing largely peacefully.Other smaller protests were reported in towns such as Brest and Grodno. There is no direct word, although the interior ministry confirmed 140 arrests.
Source: BBC
Finnish site 
Global site