Belarus braces for mass protests as Lukashenko orders army to defend borders

The president denounced mass protests, which he said were receiving support from Western countries, and ordered army to defend the borders

Internet shut down? No matter, in Belarus the revolution is being 'telegrammed'

The app helped coordinate mass protests since the results of the ‘rigged’ election that seeks to extend Alexander Lukashenko's 26-year rule.

The European Union has called an emergency virtual summit on Wednesday, as it explores how to help Belarus

Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus for 26 years, is facing an unprecedented challenge to his leadership

Russia is Belarus's closest ally and the countries have formed a "union state" linking their economies and militaries

A large crowd had formed in the capital in honour of a protester who died there during this week's police crackdown on demonstrators

At least two protesters have died and around 6,700 were detained this week in the crackdown, which followed Lukashenko's re-election win

UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet condemned the detention of 6,000 people, 'including bystanders, as well as minors'

Human rights group says over 100 protesters are detained, who claim the elections are rigged

Thousands of opposition supporters quickly took to the streets of the capital to protest what they saw as official manipulation of the vote