Protesters marched to the Belarusian government building in Minsk on Friday (August 14) after widespread claims that prisoners freed on Friday after days of detention had been tortured in prison.<br /><br />Hundreds have been released from jail after being interned during the violent state crackdown on demonstrations against President Alexander Lukashenko's controversial re-election last Sunday.<br /><br />Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has accused the authorities of creating a "bloodbath" and has called for more rallies this weekend.<br /><br />The Belarusian government announced on Thursday night that 1,000 people arrested during the protests were being let go. <br /><br />However, many people were still waiting for news of missing friends and relatives on Friday morning.<br /><br />Testimony describing serious human rights abuses by police and prison guards is growing. Amnesty International says there is mounting evidence of the widespread torture of peaceful protesters.
