Belarus: Video shows dramatic moment taxi driver helps fleeing protestor escape armed police

Man seen narrowly escaping armed riot police

A widely circulated video on social media shows the dramatic moment a taxi driver helps a fleeing protestor escape armed riot police in Belarus.

The driver is captured helping the young man flee from at least four policemen in pursuit waving batons.

The footage unfolded during a protest on Wednesday in the country's capital Minsk against leader Alexander Lukashenko, leader of the country for 26 years.

The 16-second clip was filmed by a reporter from Euroradio.fm.

It shows the man fleeing from the police and spontaneously jumping into a taxi, which appears to be waiting at traffic lights.

In a split-second reaction, the taxi swerves the vehicle in front before mounting the curb and speeding away while the police angrily shout after them.

The movie-eseque pursuit and escape took place in a residential area on Wednesday evening.

Crowds were protesting the perceived illegitimate presidency of Lukashenko, who was secretly sworn in on Wednesday morning for another term.

The police detained 364 people at anti-government protests on Wednesday, as reported by the country's interior ministry.

Riot police clashed with protestors and were seen using water cannon’s and stun grenades as several thousand Belarusians took to the streets, many carrying the red and white opposition flag.

olice officers take a protester into custody as Belarusian opposition supporters take part in a rally against presidential election results, in central Minsk, Belarus on September 23, 2020 (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Despite daily protests and huge gatherings on Sundays, Lukashenko still holds the backing of the police and army, as well as support from the Kremlin.

It is widely thought that Lukashenko, 66, rigged the 9 August presidential election against opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

Lukashenko’s claim that he won with 80 per cent of the vote sparked massive outrage and ongoing protests in the country.

Riot police officers detain a man during an opposition rally to protest against the presidential inauguration in Minsk on September 23, 2020 (AFP via Getty Images)

He denies all charges of illegitimacy and was sworn in for a new term in an inauguration that was kept quiet until the final moment.

Several EU countries and the US do not accept the validity of Lukashenko’s claim to the presidency.