Protests are under way in Belarus / REUTERS

Protesters in Belarus have announced the largest March of Freedom in that country's history.

The event is expected to begin at 14:00 local time on August 16. The announcement appeared on the Belarusian opposition Telegram channel NEXTA Live, the largest by the number of subscribers.

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The event in Minsk will start from Independence Avenue, participants will walk along the central streets and squares.

The march will simultaneously take place in other cities and towns of the country.

"Sunday is the day of the largest, exceptionally peaceful march in the history of Belarus; we will march along the streets and avenues of our cities, with smiles and dignity. We will go out with families, communities, work collectives. We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who at this turning point was on the side of the people. Let us remember all those who have suffered in the struggle for freedom," the announcement said.

Earlier, the leader of the united opposition, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, called on mayors of the cities and towns to become the organizers of the protests on August 15 and August 16 and to stop bloodshed during peaceful rallies.

The Belarusian authorities, in turn, are preparing a large rally in Minsk in support of incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko, who claimed he had won a landslide victory in the latest presidential election. State employees are being bussed to the rally in Minsk from across the country.