30 days: Protests in Belarus do not subside despite brutal crackdown and mass arrests

(Patria) – Belarusian police on Sunday arrested 633 people in protests that have been held across the country for 30 days.

Authorities continue their crackdown on mass protests against the continued rule of Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, which is claimed to be the result of rigged elections.

Police in Minsk attempted to disperse protesters gathered around the presidential palace, not shying away from using tear gas and batons. However, this did not prevent tens of thousands of citizens demanding Lukashenko's resignation from continuing their protests.

At least four people have lost their lives since the start of the mass protests, while hundreds have been injured in government attempts to suppress the demonstrations.

Several prominent opposition figures have left the country, including Olga Kovalkova, who reported from neighboring Poland on Saturday, where she fled to avoid arrest.

Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994, accuses Western powers of interference, writes the BBC.

At the same time, protesters, human rights activists, and observers claim that security forces and police are using excessive force to suppress peaceful protests.