Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko launched a crackdown in August 2020 on mass protests following his disputed re-election, which the opposition and the West denounced as rigged.

More than 35,000 people were detained, thousands were severely beaten in custody, dozens of independent news outlets and human rights groups were shut down, and journalists were jailed.

Some 500,000 people, including key opposition figures, have since fled the country of 9.5 million, and the authorities have stepped up a campaign this year against Belarusians abroad who call for tougher sanctions on Lukashenko’s government.

State television on Monday showed armed security agents breaking down the doors of apartments of opposition activists, searching them and putting seals on them.

One of the apartments belonged to Yana Latushka, the daughter of Pavel Latushka, a former Belarusian culture minister who became an opposition figure.

Belarus’ Investigative Committee said it has opened a criminal case against 257 activists seeking seats in the exiled Coordination Council, which was set up by opposition politicians as an alternative parliament in 2020.

An “online” election for 80 council seats was announced and is set to be held from May 25-27.

The activists, most of whom have left the country, are being charged with “conspiracy to seize power,” “appealing for sanctions” and “forming an extremist group.” Those convicted on the charges could face up to 12 years in prison.

Committee spokesman Sergei Kabakovich said “detentions, searches and seizures of property” were taking place across Belarus, adding that they were part of a large-scale investigation into the Coordination Council.

Pavel Latushka told The Associated Press that the authorities were stepping up repression against Belarusians at home and abroad out of fear that mass protests could erupt again.

The opposition has set Tuesday, May 21, as a day to show solidarity with political prisoners in Belarus.

According to Viasna, the country’s leading human rights group, which refers to 1,400 political prisoners in Belarus, including its Nobel Peace Prize-winning founder Ales Bialiatski, there are currently 1,392 political prisoners in Belarus, with new arrests taking place every day.

The non-governmental organization said at least five political prisoners have died in custody.

Last week, the authorities raided and searched the property of 104 Belarusians living abroad who have been critical of the government.

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