Minsk, Belarus (CNN) At least 50 Belarus security personnel in riot gear dropped their shields and were embraced by anti-government protesters in Minsk, as demonstrators chanted "brothers" at the police.
The scene unfolded in front of several government buildings in the of the capital. Protesters also shouted, "Sveta -- President," referring to opposition politician Svetlana Tikhanovskaya who says she won the majority in Sunday's highly contested presidential election.
Belarus authorities say longtime President Alexander Lukashenko won 80.1% of the vote, in a poll which many believe was rigged.
A crowd estimated by CNN's team in Minsk to be tens of thousands of people marched through the capital on Friday in revolt against the strongman leader Lukashenko, who has ruled the country for 26 years.
Scenes at the Central Elections Committee pic.twitter.com/IHgFt5D4Xy — Mary Ilyushina (@maryilyushina) August 14, 2020
Protests have flared up across Belarus this week, sometimes erupting into violence, with some protesters alleging they have been beaten and humiliated by security services.
VichelleMassage on August 14th, 2020 at 21:01 UTC »
I always wonder what goes through LEOs' minds when they're facing off against crowds of angry people. I mean, yes, it must be scary, and you're allegedly preserving law and order. But if people of your community are reasonably pissed off at your bosses and your bosses are hiding behind you, why wouldn't you ultimately side with your neighbors and friends and family? (unless you're shipped in from elsewhere)
Bind_Moggled on August 14th, 2020 at 18:21 UTC »
> At least 50 Belarus security personnel in riot gear dropped their shields and were embraced by anti-government protesters in Minsk
Ooooh, this is when things start to turn around.
> as demonstrators chanted "brothers" at the police.
That's how it's done.
DoctorBocker on August 14th, 2020 at 17:09 UTC »
Getting to the good parts of V for Vendetta now.