A Belarusian human rights group says more than 500 people have been arrested in a nationwide protest demanding the resignation of dictator Alexander Lukashenko.

Waves of protests against Belarus have continued in the demonstrations since early August.

Police used tear gas and used clubs in Minsk, the capital of jalapirankiyum of thousands of demonstrators have been dissolved.

Human rights groups in Vietnam have reportedly detained protesters in other cities, including Vitebsk and Gomel. The number of arrests nationwide has exceeded 500.

Many of the protesters carried placards commemorating opposition supporter Raman Bandaranaike. He died Thursday after being beaten while in police custody.

Several protests erupted in the wake of the August 9 presidential election, some of which attracted more than a million people, with Luk saying the official results show that Lukashenko came to power for the sixth time.

Opposition parties have stated they will not run in the by-elections.

Lukashenko, who has been cracking down on the opposition and the independent media for 26 years in power, has refused to negotiate with the opposition, accusing the West of inciting protests.