Thousands have been detained in mass protests sweeping Belarus after longtime President Alexander Lukashenko claimed a landslide election victory in questionable circumstances.
Those taking to the streets claim the vote was rigged, and despite the fierce police crackdown, protesters don't appear to be backing down.
Belarusians in Australia have been watching on in both horror and awe.
"It’s hard to describe how I feel. I’m very angry, I am very sad,'' Adelaide-based Eugene Rogalewicz told SBS.
Mr Rogalewicz moved to Australia in 1991, just before the collapse of the Soviet Union.
"I have my sister living there, my wife's relatives [are] there. It's very, very scary," he said.
"The people are very brave."
Melbourne-based Mikolaj Subocz, who moved to Australia from Belarus in 1949, also pointed to the bravery shown by demonstrators in the face of a brutal crack-down.
"[They are] so courageous.You have to admire their courage," he told SBS.
The 83-year-old said women and young people were leading the calls for change.
"The young people, they’re very intelligent and they see the way things are in the west, you know, free countries and they want that for themselves. They’re tired of being held back."
Sonia Rubacha is the President of South Australia's Belarusian Orthodox Church. She said the youth in Belarus are more exposed the outside world than previous generations.
Last year, Mikolaj Subocz celebrated 70 years of living in Australia after immigrating from Belarus. Source: Supplied
"This generation are better educated with the internet and access to global events. They are more aware, and they’ve found courage," she said.
Alexander Lukashenko, often referred to as Europe's last dictator, was elected President in 1994.
"It’s been awful times under this dictatorship," Mr Rogalewicz said.
"Since Lukashenko came to power, there were never fair elections so people are used to it. But this time it was different."
Mr Lukashenko claimed 80 per cent of the vote in Sunday's election - an almost impossibly wide margin of victory, critics say.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, often referred to as Europe's last dictator, has ruled the country since 1994. Source: AAP
"80 per cent seems highly unlikely. It’s just not realistic," said Mr Subocz.
Mr Rogalewicz agrees.
"People did not vote for him. People wanted change and they voted for change. I was also hoping there would be change."
He, and many others view Svetlana Tikhanovskaya as the real winner. The 37-year-old, who ran for president in place of her jailed husband, pulled off a remarkable campaign. Her rallies attracted thousands as she galvanised Belarusians across the country.
But official results gave her just 10 per cent of the vote. After contesting the election, she fled to neighbouring Lithuania.
Former candidate in the 2020 Belarusian presidential election, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya. Source: AAP
'Attacked, suppressed and detained'
Sonia Rubacha says the Belarusian community in Australia is extremely concerned about the unfolding situation.
"In the so-called democratic country of Belarus, peoples voices have just not been heard. [They] have found courage to peacefully demonstrate but they are being attacked, suppressed and detained."
Since the protests erupted, Mikolaj Subocz has been receiving updates from friends and family in Belarus.
Sonia Rubacha is the President of the Belarusian Orthodox Church in South Australia. Source: Supplied
"What I saw and what I felt on Belarusian streets in the last couple of days, with my own eyes, is beyond description other than the slaughtering of peaceful protesters,” a friend told them in an email.
Authorities have begun releasing people, with some sharing accounts of beatings and even torture while detained.
"I take responsibility and apologise for injuries of random people at the protests who got it in the neck," said Minister of Internal Affairs Yuri Karayev.
It's been 70 years since Mr Subocz left Belarus, yet he is still deeply affected by the violent scenes coming out of his home country.
"I feel very concerned and very devastated that people are still so violent to each other, their own countrymen. It’s just abhorrent."
Mr Subocz said he was doubtful the protest movement would lead to immediate change, but was hopeful reform was slowly on its way.
"But it’s the beginning, it’s just the beginning. Hopefully they will make difference and show the world what is going on."
