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Police Break Up Rally In Support Of Detained Belarusian Opposition Figure Kalesnikava

Supporters of Belarusian opposition figure Maryya Kalesnikava took to the streets of Minsk on September 8 as authorities reportedly tried -- but failed -- to expel her from the country.

Masked officers were seen attacking groups of women at the rally who were protesting against Kalesnikava's detention.

Belarusian authorities had driven her to the border with Ukraine a day after she was snatched from the street in Minsk. But Kalesnikava is said to have torn up her passport to avoid deportation.
Masked officers broke up rallies in Minsk on September 8 that were held in support of Maryya Kalesnikava after the opposition figure was detained by authorities who reportedly tried to expel her from Belarus.
1 Masked officers broke up rallies in Minsk on September 8 that were held in support of Maryya Kalesnikava after the opposition figure was detained by authorities who reportedly tried to expel her from Belarus.
A supporter holds up a photo of Maryya Kalesnikava saying, "Bring back our Masha!!!" on a march to Independence Avenue in central Minsk. The woman beside her is holding a sign that says: "We want to live another way."
2 A supporter holds up a photo of Maryya Kalesnikava saying, "Bring back our Masha!!!" on a march to Independence Avenue in central Minsk. The woman beside her is holding a sign that says: "We want to live another way."
Masked police officers detained several of Kalesnikava​'s supporters.
3 Masked police officers detained several of Kalesnikava​'s supporters.
Many protesters were forced to the ground and restrained by police.
4 Many protesters were forced to the ground and restrained by police.
Dozens of Kalesnikava's supporters were detained.
5 Dozens of Kalesnikava's supporters were detained.
Police detain a woman following the rally in Minsk on September 8.
6 Police detain a woman following the rally in Minsk on September 8.
Police used force to disperse a group of women rallying in support of Maryya Kalesnikava. Kalesnikava is a member of the opposition's Coordination Council. It has pressed for a peaceful transition of power since election officials declared Belarusian leader Ayaksandr Lukashenka the runaway winner of an August 9 presidential vote, which the council says was fraudulent.
7 Police used force to disperse a group of women rallying in support of Maryya Kalesnikava. Kalesnikava is a member of the opposition's Coordination Council. It has pressed for a peaceful transition of power since election officials declared Belarusian leader Ayaksandr Lukashenka the runaway winner of an August 9 presidential vote, which the council says was fraudulent.
Protestors march through the Belarusian capital on September 8. 
8 Protestors march through the Belarusian capital on September 8. 
A woman protestor talks to police officers.
9 A woman protestor talks to police officers.
RFE/RL’s Belarus Service reported that more than 50 people were detained at the Minsk rally on September 8. 
10 RFE/RL’s Belarus Service reported that more than 50 people were detained at the Minsk rally on September 8. 
Protesters link arms in front of a wall where the word "SHAME!" has been written. 
11 Protesters link arms in front of a wall where the word "SHAME!" has been written. 
Police officers detained several women. 
12 Police officers detained several women. 
Masked officers carry away one of Kalesnikava's supporters.
13 Masked officers carry away one of Kalesnikava's supporters.
Police also used batons to forcibly break up the rally.
14 Police also used batons to forcibly break up the rally.
A woman shouts at police during the September 8 rally.
15 A woman shouts at police during the September 8 rally.
An image of Maryya Kalesnikava is projected onto a building in Minsk's Druzhba district on September 8. Playing on a famous Soviet slogan from World War II, it says, "Motherland, Masha Is Calling!"
16 An image of Maryya Kalesnikava is projected onto a building in Minsk's Druzhba district on September 8. Playing on a famous Soviet slogan from World War II, it says, "Motherland, Masha Is Calling!"
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RFE/RL's Belarus Service is one of the leading providers of news and analysis to Belarusian audiences in their own language. It is a bulwark against pervasive Russian propaganda and defies the government’s virtual monopoly on domestic broadcast media.

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