human chains and marches peaceful, denounced on Thursday the violent crackdown of the protests post-disputed re-election of Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus.
The mobilization against the autocratic Lukashenko takes a new turn in Belarus. In Minsk, thousands of people have trained this Thursday for those strings in multiple locations around the capital, supported by horns of car drivers, and bearing flowers or balloons white. This form of action, launched the previous day by dozens of women dressed in white, has not so far triggered a violent crackdown like the one for evening events.
thousands of protestants formed human chains in Belarus against the police crackdown following the controversial election of Alexander Lukashenko as the head of the country (Photo by Sergei GAPON / AFP)
AFP
“Yesterday, I saw women in white like that. And I realized, I want to do it. It is against the violence, the explosions, one is for fair elections,” says Nastia 26 years old, artist in the digital sector, taking part in a rally in the center of Minsk, street Nemiga.
READ ALSO >> Belarus : a death in new events, the opponent of a refugee in Lithuania
summer Offer : Take advantage of the special offer 2 months for 1€ I subscribe
Elena, a teacher of 41 years said attend to that “stop the torture in prison, that all the prisoners should be released”, after the arrest of about 6.700 people since Sunday.
Voice stolen
medical personnel gathered in front of their establishments. Artists of the Philharmony of Minsk have them singing patriotic songs in front of their building, holding letters forming the words “our voices were stolen”. According to the opposition media and Russian similar actions were held in many cities of the country, as well as in factories, such as BelAZ (trucks), Maz (car), Grodno Azot (chemical) and Grodnozhilstroy (BTP).
These protests come after four nights of protests against the re-election on Sunday, judged fraudulent by the contestaires, the man with the iron fist of Belarus, in power for 26 years, and credited with 80% of the votes. For its supporters it is a novice in politics, Svetlana Tikhanovskaïa, who won, after a campaign that sparked a fervor unheard of in the ex-soviet republic. The mobilization comes at a time when the police considered that the protests are fading, while exposing a high level of “aggression towards the forces of order.”
criticism of all edges
A hundred policemen were injured, of which 28 admitted to hospital. No detailed assessment has been published regarding the protesters, against whom, rubber bullets, batons and stun grenades are used without restraint.
on Wednesday, the belarusian authorities have also confirmed the death of a person in custody, a death that adds to the one of a protester Monday. They have also recognized the use of live ammunition during an incident Tuesday at Brest, making a hurt.
Protest against police violence in Belarus, on Thursday 13 August 2020.(Viktor Tolochko / Sputnik)
Sputnik via AFP
The United States and the EU have denounced the electoral fraud and the repression, the Europeans threatening Minsk with sanctions. Celebrities have also in recent days stepped up criticism of the authorities.
The quadruple olympic champion of the biathlon, Darya Domracheva was sent on his account Instagram to the “leaders of the anti-riot police: STOP THE VIOLENCE!”. Later, she published a second message calling on “both sides” to calm. Several journalists and presenters of State-run media have also announced in recent days their resignations. The writer-belarusian Svetlana Alexievitch, Nobel literature laureate, has accused Alexander Lukashenko to lead his country towards “civil war”.
55 inmates, 10 m2
members Of the military and police in the belarusian retired, or in activity have also anonymously denounced the repression, posting videos where they throw the rank and badges in the trash.
According to testimony, dozens of protesters have been released into the night. The authorities have not indicated how many people remain held.
Released at the dawn of his third day of detention, Kristina Vitoushko says on Facebook: “I was detained in a cell for four of 10 m2. There were two bunk beds, a table, a latrine. We were stuffed at 55 in there, we have not been fed”.
The opponent is Svetlana Tikhanovskaïa is not expressed since his video Tuesday announcing his hurried departure for Lithuania. According to its supporters, it has undergone the threats of the security forces on Monday.
