Demonstrators return to October Square (updating)
22:10 Some 200 demonstrators remain in front of the Palace of the Republic on October Square. Alexander Kozulin made a speech.
22:00 The column of demonstrators -- some 400 people -- is nearing October Square. Police are not seen, so oppositionists are walking freely along Independence Avenue.
21:53 The column is moving back to October Square.
21:35 The opposition candidates who hoped to win parliamentary seats are reportedly losing this election. Ales Mikhalevich told the European Radio for Belarus that he is trailing the second or even thу third. He says that falsifications took place during early voting. Volga Kozulina says she is taking the third position. "I have not been even given those 1000 votes of people that I gathered during the nomination campaign", she said.
21:30 Anatol Lyabedzka said that most of trustees, including his deputy Alexander Dobrovolski, were detained and being held in the Sovietski district police department.
21:25 Demonstrators have reached Independence Square. The leaders of the opposition delayed on October Square where Milinkevich and Kozulin were arguing where to go further.
21:15 Some 300-400 demonstrators have reached the building of KGB and are shouting: "Shame!" and "Long Live Belarus!" Opposition members plan to reach Independence Square and demand a fair vote count. Zmitser Dashkevich told the European Radio for Belarus that demonstrators would stay overnight.
21:00 Danila Stryzhak reports: "There are posters, saying "Lukashenka: Europe's Last Dictator", "Long Live Independent Belarus !" and others. Volha Kozulina appeared on the square.
Yulia Kozulin: We are here, because we support this action. We came over in order to get protection. I oppose to a boycott of elections.
Danila Stryzhak: People have no plans what to do later. Some want to remain on the square. I am asking people what they are going to do.
- Are you going to sleep in tents here?
Boy: I will see if more people are coming. I know that people are coming from the regions, from polling stations.
- How many are they?
Boy: I don't know exactly. I know that people are coming from the Minsk, Hrodna and Brest regions. I am not from Minsk, either. There was one check of the bus on the way, but I passed it.
- Good luck!
20:55 Most of the demonstrators have left October Square and are now moving towards the Independence Square. They have lit torches. The column is led by Zmitser Dashkevich and Pavel Sevyarynets. Two tents and some 30 people have remained on October Square.
20:50 A press conference began on October Square. It is being held by Siarhei Kalyaking, a co-chairman of the UDF's Political Council, and Valiantsina Sviatskaya, a Popular Front candidate. Meanwhile, a contact was lost with Anatol Lybedzka who was expected to arrive at the square as well.
20:45 Mikola Statkevich has described the elections as farce. Lyavon Barscheuski expressed hope that more people are yet to come to the square. Ales Mikhalich said he wants a fair victory and he came to the square, because observers at his polling station have no access to the vote count. There are no police cordons, but police buses were spotted in nearby backyards. Many plainclothed security agents can also be seen on the square.
20:30 Around 300 people, including politicians Alexander Bukhvostov, Pavel Sevyarynets, Lyavon Barscheuski, Mikola Statkevich, Vintsuk and Franak Vyachorka. People remain in small groups, and no clear center of the action can be observed yet. Former political prisoners Tsimafei Dranchuk and Artur Finkevich have put two tents on the square. They said the tents would stay the whole night until the election results are announced. The former political prisoners have called on EU and OSCE not to recognize the election results. People have raised several white-red-white and EU flags. Even orange flagsm held by a group of youngsters, can be seen.
20:50 A press conference began on October Square. It is being held by Siarhei Kalyaking, a co-chairman of the UDF's Political Council, and Valiantsina Sviatskaya, a Popular Front candidate. Meanwhile, a contact was lost with Anatol Lybedzka who was expected to arrive at the square as well.
20:45 Mikola Statkevich has described the elections as farce. Lyavon Barscheuski expressed hope that more people are yet to come to the square. Ales Mikhalich said he wants a fair victory and he came to the square, because observers at his polling station have no access to the vote count. There are no police cordons, but police buses were spotted in nearby backyards. Many plainclothed security agents can also be seen on the square.
20:30 Around 300 people, including politicians Alexander Bukhvostov, Pavel Sevyarynets, Lyavon Barscheuski, Mikola Statkevich, Vintsuk and Franak Vyachorka. People remain in small groups, and no clear center of the action can be observed yet. Former political prisoners Tsimafei Dranchuk and Artur Finkevich have put two tents on the square. They said the tents would stay the whole night until the election results are announced. The former political prisoners have called on EU and OSCE not to recognize the election results. People have raised several white-red-white and EU flags. Even orange flagsm held by a group of youngsters, can be seen.
Photo: photo.bymedia.net
