EU calls for sanctions on Belarus -------------------------------------- The European Union has rejected the result of the disputed Belarus election, which saw longtime president Alexander Lukashenko win 80% of the vote, and announced financial sanctions against his government -------------------------------------- Aug 9, 2020: President Alexander Lukashenko (above) re-elected to sixth consecutive term in office. Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (right) rejects results -------------------------------------- Aug 9-10: Thousands of people flood streets to protest “fraudulent” vote. Belarusian police violently disperse demonstrators. About 3,000 people arrested -------------------------------------- LITHUANIA Grodno Kobrin Brest Aug 9-10 protests LATVIA RUSSIA Vitebsk BELARUS Zhodino Lida POLAND Baranovichi Minsk Mogilev Zhlobin Pinsk Gomel UKRAINE 60 miles 100km -------------------------------------- Aug 11: EU condemns police violence. Tsikhanouskaya forced to leave Belarus for Lithuania -------------------------------------- Aug 12: Protesters rally for fourth straight night. Large groups of women form human chains in capital, Minsk, to urge end to crackdown -------------------------------------- Aug 14: EU foreign ministers say those responsible for vote-rigging and violence should face sanctions -------------------------------------- Aug 15: Authorities free about 2,000 of 7,000 people arrested, amid claims that protesters were tortured. Lukashenko says Russia is willing to help counter mass protests -------------------------------------- Aug 16: Lukashenko rejects calls for new election. Some 200,000 demonstrators gather in Minsk -------------------------------------- Aug 17: Opposition calls for nationwide general strike -------------------------------------- Aug 19: European Council President Charles Michel says EU drawing up sanctions list. Lukashenko warns of tough new steps against protesters -------------------------------------- Sources: Associated Press, BBC Pictures: Associated Press, Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS