Police officers, armed with clubs, have reportedly arrested more than 500 demonstrators in the Belarus capital.
The protesters who gathered on the streets Sunday were demanding the resignation of the country's authoritarian president. The gathering was the 90th consecutive day of protests in the city.
Local news reports said that thousands of protesters had attempted to enter the center of Minsk before they were intercepted by police. Authorities had blocked the area. Armored vehicles were used to block streets leading to the city center.
A report published by the Belarusian Association of Journalists said that nine journalists were among those arrested. Human rights group Vyasna said that 548 people were arrested during the day. One of those arrested was former Miss Belarus, Olga Khizhinkova.
Authorities said that the protesters were detained because of their "unsanctioned actions." Vyasna said that about 60 doctors and other health care workers that had joined the protest were also detained. During the protests, access to the internet was restricted and public transport was shut down.
Protests in the country began Aug. 9 after the conclusion of the country's national elections. President Alexander Lukashenko was declared the winner. Lukashenko's opposition protested his win, claiming that the elections were rigged. Poll workers had also come forward, with some saying that the counting of the votes was manipulated.
Lukashenko, who came into power in 1994, has denied the allegations. He has also refused dialogue with his political opponents. Lukashenko has blamed Western countries for inciting the protests.
Lukashenko's opponent during the latest national presidential elections, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, said that she hopes that the U.S., under Biden, can help put pressure on Lukashenko's administration.
"Joe Biden has spoken out more than once and taken a firm position of support for the Belarusian people...We have stood against lawlessness and violence for 90 days already. In these 90 days, Belarusians made the regime understand that they have lost legitimacy and authority," Tsikhanouskaya said during an interview in Lithuania, where she has fled following Lukashenko's win.
