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Crisis in Belarus

Updated at:

Riot police block protesters in downtown Minsk

According to reports, the security forces have been ordered to start moving towards the demonstrators

© Nataliya Fedosenko/TASS

MINSK, August 30. /TASS/. Riot police blocked several thousand people on Independence Avenue in downtown Minsk, where an anti-government protest is underway, a TASS correspondent reported on Sunday.

According to reports, the security forces have been ordered to start moving towards the demonstrators. Water cannons have been directed at the protesters and the military hardware is on the way. The forces are surrounding the groups of protesters, detaining them and taking them to police vehicles.

So far, several dozen protesters have been detained. Meanwhile, police are releasing women and are asking them to leave the avenue.

Another several thousand people have gathered on October Square near the republic’s Palace and nearby streets. The demonstrators have formed a convoy and are heading to the Victors’ Avenue towards Victory Park and Minsk Hero City Obelisk. The presidential residence is located two kilometers away from the avenue. Police are not interfering in this situation.

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