Protests in Belarus continue despite challenger's departure The top opposition candidate in Belarus’ presidential election has left for Lithuania, but that hasn’t discouraged protesters who continued to challenge the vote results for a third straight night despite a massive police crackdownMINSK, Belarus -- The top opposition candidate in Belarus' presidential election left for Lithuania Tuesday but anti-government demonstrators still turned out for a third straight night to protest the vote results, despite a massive police crackdown that prompted a warning of possible European Union sanctions. Thousands of opposition supporters protesting the election results encountered aggressive police tactics in the capital of Minsk and several other Belarusian cities. Belarus’ health officials said over 200 people have been hospitalized with injuries following the protests, and some underwent surgery. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius said the videos posted by Tsikhanouskaya had been recorded in Belarus before her journey to Vilnius. “Tikhanouskaya’s departure won’t change anything, and the protests will continue,” said 25-year-old protester Sergei Yurkevich.

Source: ABC News August 11, 2020 06:52 UTC