Demonstrators took to the streets in spite of long-ruling leader Alexander Lukashenko's warning that "the toughest measures" would be employed to crack down on "illegal protests."
Many of those who took part in the Sunday rally, billed as "March for the New Belarus," were waving red-and-white opposition flags and chanting "freedom."
On Saturday, Lukashenko made comments suggesting that Poland intended to violate Belarus's territorial integrity, a claim strongly rebutted by the Polish President’s top aide.
Meanwhile, public broadcaster Polish Radio has launched a special news service for listeners in neighbouring Belarus.
The Sunday demonstration in Minsk was the latest in a series of mass gatherings held to protest President Alexander Lukashenko's claim to a sixth term in an election widely dismissed as rigged.
The rally marks the beginning of the third week of unrest in the country.
(ał)
Source: IAR, PAP