Opposition Supporters Gather Near Minsk's Kupala Theatre

Opposition supporters have gathered near the Yanka Kupala Theatre in the center of Minsk, following the dismissal of its director, Pavel Latushko, the previous day, reports RIA Novosti.

About 300 people are expected to participate in the protest. On the theatre's Facebook page, an announcement was made on Monday stating that Latushko's employment contract would be terminated and that the theatre's staff is submitting requests to resign. The collective claims that they have faced pressure since expressing their stance on the election results and raising a white-red-white flag on the theatre's building.

Mass protests by the opposition began throughout Belarus on August 9, following the presidential elections, where Alexander Lukashenko was declared the winner with 80.1% of the votes according to the Central Election Commission. The opposition believes that Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, rather than Lukashenko, won the elections.