Leading members of the Belarusian opposition went on trial on August 4, part of a multi-pronged crackdown on dissent in the ex-Soviet nation that was rocked by months of protests over a disputed presidential election.
Protests in Belarus
Associated Press: Belarus activists on trial
A member of Belarusian diaspora holds a plastic goose as he takes part in the rally called "Goose for Belarus!" outside the Belarus embassy in Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on July 23, 2021. - Protesters sat with plastic gooses as the chatter of gooses "Ga-ga-ga" resembles the name of Holland city of Hague in Slavic languages and hints to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko for his liability for the persecution and crimes against the opposition in Hague Tribunal.
The exiled leader of the Belarusian opposition said on July 20 that she asked the United States for tighter sanctions on some companies, hoping to force them away from veteran strongman Alexander Lukashenko.