alexander lukashenko has not buckled.ther day, fundamentally we will never go back to the way things were. he said a massive transformation is taking place, it is just not clear how long it will take. how can you be so sure of that, given you are not getting what you want from europe? how can you want from europe? how can you be so sure you are on the winning side? people of belarus have made their choice. it is not possible to put back that idea of freedom anymore. there is no way back for people. it is no way back for people. it is not possible for people to continue to live in the country led by the person who they hate, who tortured them, who raped them, who killed their relatives. there is simply no way back. unless he forces out the leaders of the protest movement, people such as yourself. you left almost a decade ago. there are maybe young people in belarus today who in the end give up, decide they have to do what you did and leave. then it will be very simple, europe open your doors, 10 million are coming. are you

i support alexander lukashenko i wasn't forced to come here this is my personal choice. and in the stories that shaped the week russia begins mass production of it's a new vaccine claiming it's a world 1st but many scientists around the globe express alarm fear and huge corners. of broadcasting live coverage from our studios in moscow this is our g international i'm certainly glad to have you with us right now a week after the hugely contested presidential election still seeing massive demonstrations throughout the country both pro and anti-government rallies have taken to the streets on sunday in some cases gathering just meters apart. opposition protesters are holding a march for freedom through the capital minsk they are demanding of the a long time president alexander lukashenko resign citing concerns that he is clinging to power by force and ignoring the voice of people similar marches are being held throughout the country our correspondent sent this report from the city . through the desert for 45 this is how the protests unfolding the independence square people ha

i support alexander lukashenko i was asked to come here this is my personal choice. and in the stories that shaped the week russia begins mass production of its new covert vaccine claiming it is a world 1st but many scientists around the globe do express a lot thiering that huge corners have been kept. well can you watch a new weekly here in r.t. international issue sconce 6 o'clock here in the russian capital a week after the hugely contested presidential election bellary still seeing massive demonstrations throughout the country both pro and anti-government rallies have taken to the streets today in some cases gathering just meters apart opposition protestors are holding a march for freedom through the capital minsk and they are demanding that the long time president alexander lukashenko resigns citing concerns he's clinging to power by force and ignoring the voice of his people similar marches being held throughout the country. this person has been in power for 26 years he's clung to eat with his teeth and doesn't want to let go and when we are against violence we

they're not giving up. 3 women taking on veteran leader alexander lukashenko. is the one on the ballot this weekend but maria and veronica's appollo her support behind her together they have been drawing tens of thousands belorussians desperate for something me. people have put all their hopes in me all their desires for change. they've joined forces are the candidates they were backing were forced out to carlos husband fled the country with their children. working for risk arrested on charges of bribery. husband was jailed and disqualified from running. she knew. my husband is in prison he lives in very cramped conditions and of course there's tremendous pressure on him. and this is the man determined to stop the opposition alexander lukashenko he's been in power for 26 years and he's made it clear he and the officials here back him aren't going anywhere. not give you up. we have found a way to bring these extremists to justice. system. has almost no chance of forcing out luka shanker but she and the other campaigners have still managed to help russians imagin

council not to recognize what she called fraudulent elections which saw president alexander lukashenko return to power for a 6th term the e.u. emergency talks come as lucas said go faces growing rebellion from sectors of society that he could once reliably count on for support. more work has joined the walkout in the past president alexander lukashenko could count on state employees to support him but he had to order manages to threaten them with disciplinary action if they joined a nationwide strike. some ignored those threats. even with the presidential challenger as with lana chicken off sky is still in exile the opposition is growing more confident they set up a coordination council in bella ruse to organize a peaceful transfer of power. we pull commission i am up we are only beginning to rebuild mechanisms to feel like a strong and independent nation yes of course it will be very difficult but we have taken a step and we are setting an example for all to see how we can unite how we can work together and speak with one voice. but bellary says authoritarian leader is not ready to ta

clashes between police and protesters right gotten better rooms after state media say president alexander lukashenko is set to win another election by a landslide police deployed water cannon tear gas and stun grenades in the heart of minsk. lebanon's government times in the bottoms after several ministers quit thousands of people have been taking to the streets near the parliament in the capital beirut calling on their leaders to step down protesters say negligence led to choose days devastating explosion which killed more than $150.00 people and injured facts. and a council of afghan leaders agrees to free 400 taliban prisoners clearing the way for peace talks to begin the taleban made the release of the prisoners a condition for the toll. on public foley yes welcome to the program protesters and police in batteries have clashed after president alexander lukashenko emerged the likely winner of elections police used water cannon tear gas and stun grenades on thousands of opposition supporters gathered in the sand. sure of the capital minsk the violence broke out after state media and i was startled

demonstrators up demanding new elections they have europe's course bottle sora tarion president alexander lukashenko who says russia is backing him. and sealing the deal the u.s. and poland sign a defense agreement months in the making it will see a 1000 u.s. troops move from germany to poland warsaw calls it and guarantee all of us of course in the event all the foreign traders. i'm sorry very welcome to the show are thousands of protesters have again rallied in bella ruse demanding the resignation of authoritarian president alexander lukashenko after last weekend's disputed elections the european union is set to impose sanctions over the government's violent crackdown on the protests on saturday luka shanker reached out to russia's president vladimir putin's i've begun wrist. long well over a state chant it was a day of mixed emotions on the streets of minsk. thousands gathered for the funeral of a man who died on monday in clashes with police at this demonstration the news really security forces were nowhere to be seen since last sunday's election calls to president alexander lukashenko to stand

oh it's very hard to say a few days ago donna who was a main challenger to alexander lukashenko said that he that she went. she's not actually can start negotiating with the glorious new government and she can start working on. governance in the country but it's very hard to say well the research there are tests will not accept it as any i think imagined here as we guessed here so there are. plenty of how to transition. the power from the change that to anyone else and i think that is not willing to do so i well i mean from what you're saying how is dot affecting the atmosphere there where you are in minsk i mean we saw those images of people out on the streets for a 7th day. well if people now really want. and yes process has half been happening where the past weeks but also all this rally spring action rallies what that sometimes you can also have where weeks before the elections race and even for months because there were some protests been in court so these discontents and has been under rice recently it's not like it started just on sunday when when the election results were ann

clashes between police and protesters break out in better rooms after state media say president alexander lukashenko is set to win another election by a landslide police deployed water cannon tear gas and stun grenades in the heart of me school. lebanon's government times in the bottoms after several ministers quit thousands of people have been taking to the streets near parliament near the country's parliament calling on their leaders to step down protesters have mexicans fled to choose days devastating explosion which killed more than $150.00 people and injured saxons. a council of afghan leaders agrees to free 400 taliban prisoners caring the way for peace talks to get the taliban which made the release of the prisoners a condition for the 2 oaks. on pablo foley s welcome to the program we'll have more on those stories but 1st a prominent hong kong pro-democracy figure jimmy lie has been arrested a top aide said the media tycoon is accused of collusion with foreign forces under the national security law recently a poll imposed by beijing jimmy law is now the most prominent member of hong kong's p

sending mixed signals about new elections within 24 hours alexander lukashenko from total defiance to conditional acceptance of new elections he now says he's ready to share power after a constitutional referendum and what about russia will it come to his aid also coming up tonight here in germany the trial begins in an unprecedented online case alongside the defendant more than $150.00 suspects have been identified and prosecutors say they're investigating thousands of leads plus the virtual convention us democrats kick off a week long political party nominee joe barton to take on in november but the pandemic means this year's convention is an almost entirely virtual affair. to our viewers on p.b.s. in the united states and all around the world welcome we start in bellerose where president alexander lukashenko is sending mixed messages about new elections on sunday he said protesters would have to kill him before any new vote is allowed to day the president said that he may be open to new elections but only after a constitutional referendum now this would mark a reversal for lucas fo

right now the world is being reminded that one man alexander lukashenko has ruled belarus for a long 26 years and he intends to add another 5 claiming 80 percent of all the ballots from sunday's presidential election have a tick next to his name but that's not something a considerable amount of belorussians believe taking their frustrations onto the streets it started off with a peaceful protests mass of groups coming out and shining flashlights but the tear gas and rubber bullets started flying and chaos has taken hold. but. there are 2 realities and deloris right now and the 1st there is look shango calling the vote a celebration but one that people are trying to spoil by inciting aggression and spreading misinformation foreign powers media and social media channels are to be blamed as well so look at shingles the reality is that the protestors are bad and the special forces have no choice but to act like this. c 2 around the. around $25.00 police officers have been injured legs broken they were deliberately hit so they responded why are you crying now a response will be adequate w

this group are teachers protesting against the violence and sending alexander lukashenko their own kindage about his supposed landside election win. "80% equals a lie," the teachers tell him. it's no wonder mr lukashenko seems rattled. today, he even had to deny rumours that he'd died. "i'm still alive," he says, "and i haven't fled the country." but the mood has shifted firmly against him. across belarus, crowds are now declaring they voted for svetla na tikhanovskaya. she's in exile for her safety, but today re—emerged to call for the peaceful transition of power. translation: we need to end the violence on the streets of bela rusian cities. i call on the authorities to end it and to enter into dialogue. i ask the mayors of all cities to organise peaceful mass gatherings and every city on august the 15th and 16th. where alexander lukashenko goes from here isn't clear. his security forces have stood firm so far, but the crowds demanding change are growing all the time. sarah rainsford, bbc news, moscow. i'm joined by belarusian journalist fra nak viacorka. he fled the country due to se

she's standing incumbent president alexander lukashenko and has become the face of the opposition here. i don't want to be silent anymore i don't want to be afraid are you also tired of staying silent. but. doesn't want to be president in case she wins she has promised to release political prisoners and then call new elections she's campaigning out of solidarity with her husband is a popular blogger. who wanted to run for the presidency himself but was not authorized. he had traveled across the country revealing abuses of power corruption and poverty and was charged with inciting popular unrest has been in jail since many. critics of the regime see him as a political prisoner who is apparently a threat for president. of the dispute is ill this is completely arbitrary in our country we just eliminate the competition but i look back and such as it is are you that it's unfair it should be allowed he was jailed over nothing here now they're making him into an enemy of the people it's a dictatorship. move. to our navasky isn't alone in challenging local schenkel but 2 other serious contende

i support alexander lukashenko i wasn't forced to come here this is my personal choice. i mean the story of the week russia begins mass production of its new code . claiming it's a world 1st but many scientists around the globe express alarm huge corners have been cut. broadcasting live direct from our studios in moscow this is r.t. international certainly glad to have you with us let's get right back to our top story. week after the hugely contested presidential election. still seeing massive demonstrations throughout the country both pro and anti-government rallies have taken to the streets on sunday in some cases just meters apart. opposition protesters have held a march for freedom rally 3 men are demanding that longtime president alexander lukashenko resign claiming he is clinging to power by force and ignoring people's wishes similar marches are being held across the country our correspondent reports from the capital. thank you all the desert for 45 this is how the protests unfolding now in independence square people have moved from the monument to here in the morn

upping the ante bellum risk as president alexander lukashenko threatens the tally ation sanctions are in polls and says russia is ready to help. i did so today because you and i i made a judgment that i should not continue my job as prime minister. the end of an era japan's shinzo ip resigns straight out of problems. this is the most important election in the history of our country. presidential conventions are now over and the final stretch of the race for the white house is officially underway. the european union has agreed to impose sanctions on senior officials in belarus silver a violent crackdown on protesters it follows a meeting of e.u. foreign ministers in berlin president alexander lukashenko has been under pressure to step down since israel action this month the e.u. says the votes was neither free nor fair. there was a political agreement among ministers to designate selected individuals responsible for their fraudulent elections in their rules and for the subsequent crackdown on that exist in the revolution sanction regime this is a nation shall include individuals at the

alexander lukashenko is already claiming that foreign interference is behind the only rest in the country and in fact he's put the military on standby because of it this. statements have been made very some western countries who don't even know where bill is and have no idea what is happening here but nevertheless they make these statements we have reacted to this and deployed combat army units on our western borders and have brought them to full combat readiness. so what can we expect coming out of the weather stays solid we can expect clarification on who will be targeted by e.u. commission sanctions most likely it's going to be belarusian security forces and election authorities could also expect a statement of support for the opposition however for now at least the e.u. will be looking to tread lightly. with the e.u. focusing its attention on the political crisis and belarus russia is warning that not to meddle in minsk is to methodist affairs later in the program we have to cross to our tears were among closer up to bring us more on last house reaction. the u.s. democrats have offici

maine is the main rival candidates to alexander lukashenko with the latest details on the presidential election that's not he's done for kids . another busy news hour you are right up to date to stay with us updates on our top stories in half an hour. i know no crowds. no shots. actually helps. well it's dry no place to. switch your thirst for action. a short time ago an american air play on hiroshima. standing up kind any. girl can stand. how until you learn your. chin it's. like most americans growing up after the war the bombs were a great thing they ended the war they say hundreds of thousands of lives on both sides.

t government supporters of leader alexander lukashenko held their 1st rally since the disputed presidential election in a peaceful climax the week of protests modified by the. caps they want to return to 117000 people topple the russian empire and civil war this is a celebration of freedom we dump this dictatorship i support alexander lukashenko this is my personal choice yeah we changing history. pushing to make reforms in lebanon the condition for the release of financial support for the country struggles to recover from the deadly blast in beirut. to germany a grim paedophilia case gets underway a 43 year old is accused of abusing his own baby daughter and sharing videos of his crimes. you're watching are to international thanks for joining us. now we will start with bellary square hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets across the country in peaceful demonstrations on sunday the capital minsk 1st so i rally of supporters of the country's leader alexander lukashenko it was the 1st public gathering of his backers since the disputed results of the recent presidential elec

capital of bella ruse demanding new elections rejecting last week's reelection of president alexander lukashenko and lucas chico's reaction and i'm quoting here until you kill me there will not be any more elections tonight defiance and denial the leader known as europe's last dictator could these be his last days in power are burnt off in berlin this is the day. through. the fall the whole world knows that we won't stop that's been our rules will be a free and independent country. up the up the north the knockers this is a protest against the current government. because we do not agree with the election results and with the current regime will use new and different formulas. from which the more people realize the inevitability of regime change in our country the faster this will happen i'll. also coming up to 9 inches no was skipping the summer a heat wave in the arctic has siberians hot under the collar everyone bought electric fans they were totally sold out here people had ice cream and cold drinks we aren't prepared for these conditions in the clear new couple cars. to our viewers on p.b.s.

opposition protesters in belarus have been on the streets again calling on the president, alexander lukashenko they've dismissed his offer of a constitutional referendum, followed by a possible fresh election, as a ploy. earlier in the day, mr lukashenko addressed a group of workers in the capital minsk, from where our correspondent, jonah fisher reports. car horns toot. this was the day the workers turned on alexander lukashenko. thousands downing tools and marching to a tractor factory. while the strikers rallied outside, belarus's beleaguered president arrived by helicopter to address those who'd stayed at work. he was no doubt hoping for a friendly crowd. what he got was a public relations disaster. outside the plant was maria kalesnikava, pretty much the only opposition leader who hasn't been arrested or fled the country. translation: for 26 years the authorities have humiliated us. thank you for not being afraid. we are not the little people, we are the nation. are you worried about your own safety? no, i'm not worried. i feel very safe here with my people in belarus. what is your messag

i support alexander lukashenko i wasn't forced to come here this is my personal choice. and in the stories that shaped the week of russia begins mass production of its new covert vaccine claiming it's the world 1st but many scientists around the globe express alarm fearing huge chorus of been. a very warm welcome you're watching the weekly with all the latest headlines and a roundup of the week's top stories thanks for joining us and we come to the hugely contested presidential election but the worst is still seeing massive demonstrations throughout the country both pro and anti-government rallies have taken to the streets today in some cases gathering just meters apart. opposition protestors are holding a march for freedom through the capital minsk but demanding the long time president alexander lukashenko resigns fighting concerns he's clinging to power by force and ignoring the voice of his people some of the marches are being held throughout the country our correspondent said this report from the city. through the desert for 45 this is how the protests unfolding now

seeks to quell a growing resistance to his rule and demonstrations head into a 1998 after alexander lukashenko says new elections could be possible but only after a referendum on the constitution citizens saying they want change now. also coming up the u.s. democrats launch their national convention with some straight talking from some high profile figures. if we have any hope of ending this chaos we have got to vote for joe biden like our lives depended on. the 1st ever virtual convention culminates thursday with biden's nomination as donald trump's main challenger in november plus alcohol and tobacco go back on sale in south africa as the government uses coronavirus restrictions that saw curbs on most economic life. i'm sorry kelly welcome to the program there has been a 9th night of protests and the ballot who seemed capital calling for president alexander lukashenko to step down that is despite signs from go that he may be prepared to hold fresh elections under certain conditions but following his controversial re-election last weekend after 26 years under his rule many ballo racine's want

like long live bellows and go go leave calling on the incumbent president of this republic alexander lukashenko to leave office because they do not recognize the protesters here they do not recognize the results of the election we will like to with the election results i did not vote for the opinions of my friends were not taken into account of the person who is to crowd. president is not the one who has been elected in one fairly actions political prisoners to be released and in the end to violence our country has never seen anything like what is happening now right now you can see that behind me this towering structure and the museum behind it are being guarded by the security forces they are not letting people come close but they aren't trying to the road between the security forces and the protesters has become sort of an improvised border very very large telegram channels with lots of followers are being used to coordinate these protests because the it's not like people it's not it hasn't been spontaneous it has been organized it has been coordinated through internet for instance the reaso

going away they chanted directly to president alexander lukashenko who had come to win them over. a period unconcerned just 6 thought the new portrait that if someone doesn't want to work and wants to leave nobody will bully anyone nobody will push anyone please go ahead the doors are open to see what those the sewage national water or the of. the protests have been fueled by new promises from the opposition leader. i'm prepared to take responsibility and act as the nation's leader during this period so the country settles down and gets back to normality so that we can release all political prisoners and prepare the legal framework and conditions to hold another round of presidential elections in the shortest time possible. although. the exiled opposition leader made her address from lithuania just one day after calling for the biggest protests in belarus yet estimated 200000 people called on the president to step down on sunday claiming the national election he won was great but. as the internal pressure grows so does international concern. the e.u. has announced it will hold an

demonstrators are demanding new elections they have europe's of course and bought into president alexander lukashenko says russia is backing him also coming up. sealing the deal to us and poland sign a defense agreement months in the making it will see a 1000 u.s. troops move from germany to poland albums calls it a guarantee of u.s. support in the face of a foreign threat. japan's am for expresses deep remorse for his country's aggression 75 years after its surrender at the end of world war 2 for. the prime minister sorry is still too hard to say. yes welcome to the program thousands of protesters again taken to the streets of batteries demanding the resignation of president alexander lukashenko after last week's disputed elections the european union is set to impose sanctions over the government's violent crackdown on the protests on saturday shango reached out to russia's president putin over the on rest. long live bellow verse they chant it was a day of mixed emotions on the streets of minsk. thousands gathered for the funeral of a man who died on monday in clashes with police. at this demonstrat

people of color to the polls president alexander lukashenko has been in power since the 1900 but this time around he's facing a challenge from this full. time the government of the richest declares an environmental emergency and so far the scramble to contain tons of fuel leaking from the ground and ship france are sending teams and equipment to help deal with that there's. a math anyhow when we stopped in lebanon with protests against the political establishment of left one police officer dead and more than 100 people injured demonstrators stormed a government ministries and the headquarters of the national banking association she's days massive explosions in by bridgeport a widely seen as a consequence of political corruption and incompetence the blasts killed 160 people and injured thousands more. another day and night of rage in beirut. protesters stormed government buildings and banks as their fury reached boiling point. choose days massive explosion reignited their disdain for authorities in power. to many a deepened already existing distrust for the leaders who they say are inc

russian capital after last week's contested presidential election which store longtime president alexander lukashenko secured a 6th term in office. this person has been in power for 26 years. with you steve and doesn't want to make. any more prolific shanker rallies have also taken to the streets today in support of the beleaguered president. i support an exam to look a shame cause i wasn't forced to come here this is my personal choice. and of the stories that shaped the week russia begins mass production of its new covert vaccine claiming it's a world 1st but many scientists around the globe express the law on fear in huge quantities have been hurt. very well welcome you're watching the weekly with all the latest headlines and a round of of the week's top stories thanks for joining us. now a week after the hugely contested presidential election bella bruce is still seeing massive demonstrations throughout the country both pro and anti-government rallies have taken to the streets today in some cases gathering just meters apart opposition protesters. opposition protestors are holding a march for free

president alexander lukashenko has rejected calls to hold a new election. with russia on sunday offering him military help. also accuse nato of deploying military forces near the country's border the alliance has dismissed that claim but says it's closely monitoring the situation opposition protests have been growing in strength since bellerose is disputed election a week ago and people to talk to the streets in the biggest numbers yet on sunday. opposing demonstrations in the streets of central minsk. with this man at the heart of both embattled politician president alexander lukashenko. dear friends i didn't just call you here to defend me you came here to defend your country your independence your families for the 1st time in a quarter of a century. look at shankar dressed thousands of loyal supporters on sunday after days of protest put belorussian domestic politics in the international spotlight he accused foreign powers of organizing the opposition against him forever the opposition is all paid off the provocateurs who went into the crowd where are th

thousands defied a ban on demonstrations in bellerose to demand the resignation of president alexander lukashenko he warns he could use the military to break up the protests also coming up a court in new zealand hears testimony from the families of the victims of the white supremacist who killed $51.00 people in mosques in the country as sentencing hearings began plus. i. fire munich are crowned football kings of europe for that fixed time to bury inside defeat french rivals p.s.g. to win the champions league and yet again. i'm sorry kelly walked into the program huge crowds and took to the streets in bellaver of saw another day of demonstrations calling for the resignation of president alexander lukashenko opponents accuse him of rigging last month's elections the authoritarian leader responded with a show of defiance and threatened further crackdowns to restore order. by. the card team go away a rallying cry sustained for over 2 weeks amplified by one of the biggest crowds. minsk has ever seen. demonstrators repeated their demand for new elections angry at thousands of arrests many bloody beati

news live from berlin to belarus and president alexander lukashenko rallies his supporters out there a week of protests in the wake of last weekend's contested election feel far tarion laydown strange name loyalist to fan the country and its independence but the opposition is keeping up the pressure gathering for the biggest demonstration yet in the capital meant also coming up. the rainbow flag is being raised on statues and buildings across poland as the l g b t community there steps up its campaign in support of child activist we'll have the story of poland's new rainbow resistance. i'm rebecca ritter's welcome to the program and president alexander lukashenko has rejected calls to hold a new election and says moscow is ready to step in to save his country speaking to supporters any means clucas shanker said the opposition protests of being steered from abroad and climbed to nato is deploying military forces near the country's border the alliance has dismissed that claim but says it's closely monitoring the situation in belarus undeterred tens of thousands of opposition protesters

this is deja news live from berlin delarue syrian president alexander lukashenko hits back after a week of protests in the wake of last weekend's contested elections go far terry i'm going to ask supporters at a rally in central minsk to defend the country and its independence but even though he says moscow is willing to get involved to quell the protests the opposition is keeping up the pressure. also coming up a pro-democracy media tycoon tells dana the news will continue to resist she needs my undeterred by his 40 hour detention under a new security able to impose 5 ancient. practice on 3 scared arms. plus an international emergency in the pristine waters off malicious where a stranded oil tanker has broken into we ask a maritime expert to assess the impact. on record his welcome to the program bella rusian president alexander lukashenko has rejected calls to hold a new election and says moscow is ready to step in to save his country as pro and anti-government protesters gather in the capital speaking to. lucas said the opposition was to blame for violence that protests after last we

but i support alexander lukashenko i wasn't forced to come here this is my personal choice. i've heard so many threats but they won't break me i bought the still shirt with my own money no one paid me. i support discipline what's happening now reminds me of ukraine in 2014 everything started in exactly the same way the young people with flowers now just don't understand what was happening here 990 s. perhaps they want to return to 117 when people toppled the russian empire in a similar way and civil war but we want peace a protest is also being held outside the by the russian embassy in moscow has been going on every day this week around kozyrev reports from the russian capital. this is the 8th day where we're covering the protests here outside the embassy a bill or is let me just to give you a hand self what's going on this is a live picture you can see people lining up with the white ribbon the with flowers with red and white flags once again this has been happening here for 8 days straight on saturday with still the largest search out here as the line of protesters extend

alexander lukashenko has made it quite clear he has no intention of stepping down.e has every intention of raising the stakes. today, mr lu kashenko donned military garb and watched the protesters from his helicopter. "they're running away like rats," he could be heard saying. back on the ground, kalashnikov in hand, he set off to find supporters. and he found them. a round of applause from the riot police. "you're doing a great job," he says. but the president's critics painting a different picture. as he was preparing for today's protest, roman zakaria told me about the culture of fear mr lukashenko and his security forces have created. a few days ago, roman was beaten up by the police. the people i fear the most are the police. no—one can protect us, and i cannot live beside these people any more. we need to change something in our country, quickly. his sign says "long live belarus" but roman sees no future for himself here if there'll be no change of president. steve rosenberg, bbc news, minsk. whilst opposition groups are demonstrating in belarus, sympathisers

and this is the man determined to stop the opposition alexander lukashenko he has been in power for 26 years and he's made it clear he and the officials here back him aren't going anywhere. the states will not give you up it will protect you we have found a way to bring these extremists to justice. system. has almost no chance of forcing out lucas shanker but she and the other campaigners have still managed to hope belorussians imagine a country without its long term leader. from the german marshall fund in berlin is here to talk with us about this potentially historic day in belarus marina tell us more how real is the pressure that look i was facing from this opposition candidate oh this pressure is very real this is an extraordinary situation that this election takes place basically in this and it's not that much about the alternative or the simple is atlantic an oscar that was meant who was mentioned in the report. basically is and thesis is the current president and she is she is very mild and in theory all this and all it isn't it comes from that is only peace and love. well we ha

go away they chanted directly at president alexander lukashenko who had come to win them over. the heckling continued and the president walked off the stage and into the crowd in a bid to pacify protests lucas shanker said he would stand down but only after the country holds a referendum. president should not make decisions as a result of pressure the president must find a compromise which is acceptable to everyone exactly that's how it will be with we need to approve a new constitution so the opposition won't be against it it needs to be approved in a referendum because a previous constitution was approved in a referendum and based on the new constitution and if you want it will hold new elections for the palm and presidency and local government bodies. protests and now being fueled by new promises from the exiled opposition leader. i'm prepared to take responsibility and act as the nation's leader cheering this period so the country settles down and gets back to normality so that we can release all political prisoners and prepare a legal framework and conditions to hold anoth