The Belarusian protests began in August 2020 after the presidential election, where many citizens believed that Alexander Lukashenko, the long-time leader, had manipulated the results to secure victory. The protests were marked by large gatherings in cities like Minsk, where people demanded fair elections and greater political freedoms. The demonstrations were met with a heavy crackdown by security forces, leading to widespread arrests and reports of violence. Despite the government's efforts to suppress dissent, protests continued, fueled by public frustration over issues such as economic hardship and human rights abuses in Belarus.