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s sport j2 money culture scene video subscription BELARUS Lukashenko's showdown with opponents: At least 80 people arrested in Minsk on the eve of the election At a protest rally, people demanded the release of dissidents detained ahead of the Belarusian elections Author: HinaPosted: June 20, 2020 1:25 pm 8040305Gallery Sergei Gapon / AFP Facebook Twitter Messenger E-mail RELATED NEWS Viktar Babaryka VIKTOR BABARIKO Opposition leader, Lukashenko's potential rival in elections, arrested in Belarus DOES LUKASHENKO FALL? The last European dictator has real opponents for the first time, Belarus is shaken by the 'slipper revolution' At least 80 people were arrested in Minsk at a protest rally demanding the release of dissidents detained ahead of Belarus' elections, human rights groups reported. The Viasna Human Rights Center reported that protesters at a rally on Friday night formed a human chain and demanded the release of dozens of opposition supporters detained in protests in recent weeks, including prominent politician Mikola Statkeville, who has been in custody for 15 days. image Sergei Gapon / AFP image Sergei Gapon / AFP More than 20 people have been arrested at rallies in several other cities, and some have already been released, the Viasna Center added on Saturday. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has been settling accounts with political opponents for weeks, despite criticism from the European Union. image Sergei Gapon / AFP image Sergei Gapon / AFP Friday was the last day to collect signatures to run in the August 9th Belarusian elections. Lukashenko has led the former Soviet republic for more than a quarter of a century without much tolerance from the opposition, and is seeking a sixth term in the election. image Sergei Gapon / AFP Lukashenko's opponent Viktor Babariko, who has strong financial support, was arrested on Thursday . The former banker, who wanted to run against Lukashenko in the election, was arrested last week on charges of corruption, which his supporters strongly reject. The European Union on Friday demanded Babarik's release.