After elections 19th of March Central Electoral Committee (CEC) of Belarus announced Alexander Lukashenko as the reelected president of the country. Opposition did not accept these results and call its adherents for the termless peaceful protest rally. About 20000 people went out to Minsk streets. Up to date about 250 protesting persons were arrested by police.(22-MARCH-06)
Photoes by http://www.svaboda.org/

Results of ‘democratic’ elections.
4 candidates took a part in presidential elections. According to official data, ruling president Alexander Lukashenko has got record quantity of votes (82.6%). His main opponent, the representative of united opposition, Alexander Milinkevich was supported by 6% of voters. Exit-poll was done by two pro-governmental cervices. There were some hundreds international and about 30000 domestic observers in the country. CIS mission accepted these elections as fair and democratic. OSCE mission has diametrically opposed estimation. European Union also did not accept these results and considers the possibility of imposing economical sanctions.
 Belarusian leaders have the same different estimation of the current situation. Lukashenko declared that “our nation has made its own choice, showing who Belarusian people are and who the master in our house is today. This is a bright and doubtless victory of strength of mind, national dignity and self-esteem of Belarusian people”.
Oppositional leader in his turn regards that “elections were held not by electoral committees but by power structures. We consider elections’ results, announced by CEC, as the illegal seizure of power and state that after announcement of official results of elections, there will be non legitimate president in power in Belarus .”

protest rallyPeaceful protest rally.
Just after the finishing of elections, 20000 of opposition’s   adherents gathered at the central square of Minsk with the demands to not accept the results of elections and to hold new elections. Their main slogan was “Freedom! Freedom!” People held national white-and-red-and-white flags prohibited by Lukashenko in 1995. The last mass action like this one was in 1996 when Belarusian society has no atmosphere of fear.
 “The events at the square show us that our people are rising from knees. This is a small victory of every one of us over our fear and slavery. That is why we have perspectives.”- announced leader of United Civil Party Anatoly Lebedko. 

250 arrested people
tent campThe tent camp was laid out at the square. People are staying there  day and night. Police does not  direct  any measures against people  gathering at the square.
However during this peaceful protest rally about 250 participants were arrested. People were detained when they were leaving the square or while they were trying to bring food to the square, or trying to come to Minsk from the regions to take a part in the action. All the detained activists were accused in participation in illegal mass action and have got 10-15 days of prison, some of them were even  cruelly bitten by policemen. Belarusian Human Rights organizations try to help these people in different ways.

However people all around the country have a hope and optimistic views about the result of this difficult situation.