Thousands protest after Belarus opposition supporter ‘killed by security forces’

Police block a street during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020. Club-swinging police went after demonstrators in the Belarusian capital who were demanding the resignation of the country’s authoritarian president on Sunday, the 90th consecutive day of protests in the country. Human rights activists said nearly 400 people were arrested. (AP Photo)

Thousands of people have rallied in Belarus following the death of an opposition supporter after he was reportedly beaten by security forces, and the European Union condemned the violent crackdown Belarusian authorities have waged on peaceful protesters.

The death came about three months after mass protests began in Belarus following the August 9 election that official results say gave authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko a sixth term in office.