Students rallied in front of Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics in Minsk on September 30 in support of classmates who have been detained during protests against the government of Alyaksandr Lukashenka. According to the human rights group Vyasna, more than 12,000 people have been detained since the country's August 9 presidential election. The vote, widely seen as rigged, sparked outrage across Belarus and condemnation from around the world.
Students In Belarus Hold A Sit-In To Protest Detentions Of Classmates
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Students sit and sing songs near the entrance of their university in Minsk to show their solidarity with classmates who have been detained by state security forces.
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A student holds a sign that reads, "We are Dima Mazuro." Mazuro made a short but powerful speech in front of his faculty on September 16, saying, "There is no other trouble for the people," referring to the anger over the presidential election results that are seen as fraudulent. On September 25, the authorities ordered that Mazuro be detained for 23 days.
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The sign says, "23 days for an opinion. Law?" The message is in reference to the detention of Dima Mazuro for his speech.
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Belarusian policemen watch as students stage a sit-in protest near the entrance of their university.
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A poster at the back says, "Dima was kidnapped, who is next?" A poster in front reads, "By abducting students, you steal your future."
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Students display the red and white colors of the opposition -- adopted from a flag flown during Belarus's short-lived bid for democratic independence more than a century ago.
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Students display victory signs in front of their university.
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A protester holds a sign that says: "Graduates are with Dzmitry Mazuro. We are counting on people like you."
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