| rev | timestamp | size | words | refs | section | left | right | pertinent |
|---|
| 973925531 |
2020-08-20T02:00:03Z |
153673(153673) |
8706(8706) |
348(348) |
First week |
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|
|
| 973930317 |
2020-08-20T02:42:56Z |
153692(19) |
8706(0) |
348(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 973931162 |
2020-08-20T02:50:01Z |
153850(158) |
8706(0) |
349(1) |
|
|
|
|
| 973931993 |
2020-08-20T02:58:14Z |
153946(96) |
8718(12) |
349(0) |
|
During the presidential campaign, presidential candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya stated that the people of Belarus had to find a way to protect their vote. All the protests against Lukashenko have been "leaderless".
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During the presidential campaign, presidential candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya stated that the people of Belarus had to find a way to protect their vote. According to an interview with Franak Viačorka, son of opposition leader Vincuk Viačorka, the protests against Lukashenko have been "leaderless".
|
|
| 973944919 |
2020-08-20T05:11:51Z |
154269(323) |
8718(0) |
350(1) |
International reactions |
|
|
|
| 973945758 |
2020-08-20T05:21:43Z |
154750(481) |
8752(34) |
351(1) |
Support for victims of repression |
|
On 19 August the EU promised two-million euros to assist the victims of state violence and one-million euros to support independent media as part of a 53 million euro package to support a peaceful transition.
|
|
| 973945820 |
2020-08-20T05:22:22Z |
154772(22) |
8752(0) |
352(1) |
International reactions |
|
|
|
| 973957686 |
2020-08-20T06:59:12Z |
154777(5) |
8752(0) |
352(0) |
|
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus, in a summary of events during protests in the night of 11–12 August, noted that in several cities, "there were facts of open confrontation with the law enforcement agencies". In Brest, they also reported "a group of aggressively minded citizens with fittings in their hands attacked police officers." The ministry also stated that "five deliberate raids with the use of cars" were committed to law enforcement officers during the day. In Zhodino, Minsk Region, after such a collision, a soldier was hospitalized with multiple injuries.
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The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus, in a summary of events during protests in the night of 11–12 August, noted that in several cities, "there were facts of open confrontation with the law enforcement agencies". In Brest, they also reported "a group of aggressively minded citizens with fittings in their hands attacked police officers." The ministry also stated that "five deliberate raids with the use of cars" were committed to law enforcement officers during the day. In Zhodzina, Minsk Region, after such a collision, a soldier was hospitalized with multiple injuries.
|
|
| 973958108 |
2020-08-20T07:03:06Z |
154759(-18) |
8752(0) |
352(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 973958414 |
2020-08-20T07:05:45Z |
155258(499) |
8778(26) |
353(1) |
Second week |
On August 19, the OMON forces dispersed the protesters that had gathered in the morning at the entrance to Minsk Tractor Works; two people were detained. The same day, Alexei Petkevich, endoscopist and employee of the Republican Clinical Medical Center in Minsk, announced that on August 14 he resigned his job in protest of the mass beatings of the detained protesters, stating, "I was shocked by what I saw. Our people were humiliated and torn to pieces". Natalya Volvacheva, headmaster of Polotsk school No. 5, also resigned in protest, saying, "My colleagues have been broken down by threats, turned into criminals, and made hostages of the system". Over 200 Belarusian sportsmen and sportswomen, sport journalists and employees of the sport sphere (Yelena Leuchanka, Nikolai Kozeko, Volha Mazuronak, Maryna Arzamasova, Aliaksandra Ramanouskaya, Stepan Popov, and many others) signed an open letter to Alexander Lukashenko, where, among other things, they demanded that the last presidential election be invalidated, all the persons detained during the protests be released, all the political prisoners be released and rehabilitated, and those responsible of the beatings and "bestial abuses" of the detainees be identified and punished. Human Rights Watch noted most of the protests had been peaceful, and described the police round-ups as “systemically brutal.” Belarusian central election committee said that Mr Lukashenko would be inaugurated as president for a new term within the next two months. Lukashenko has ordered the police to quell all protests in Minsk and has tightened border controls, checks have been introduced on people entering the TV station and all state workers have been told they will lose their jobs if they protest, with workers reportedly being brought in from Russia to replace striking workers. Two pro-Lukashenko rallies were held in the cities of Barysaw and Babruysk, both of which also featured police helicopters with the state flag. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was also held in Minsk, and others were held in the towns of Luninets and Staryya Darohi. Most of the staff of Radio Stalitsa of the state-owned National State Television and Radio Company of the Republic of Belarus resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. There currently are no broadcasts on the station except for sports news. A demonstration of hundreds chanting "resign" and "let them out" in the evening outside the Interior Ministry in Minsk was allowed to continue peacefully with no interference by the police.
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On August 19, the OMON forces dispersed the protesters that had gathered in the morning at the entrance to Minsk Tractor Works; two people were detained. 300 employees at the Minsk Tractor Works reportedly lost their jobs for demonstrating and other workers were locked in the factory to stop them walking out. The same day, Alexei Petkevich, endoscopist and employee of the Republican Clinical Medical Center in Minsk, announced that on August 14 he resigned his job in protest of the mass beatings of the detained protesters, stating, "I was shocked by what I saw. Our people were humiliated and torn to pieces". Natalya Volvacheva, headmaster of Polotsk school No. 5, also resigned in protest, saying, "My colleagues have been broken down by threats, turned into criminals, and made hostages of the system". Over 200 Belarusian sportsmen and sportswomen, sport journalists and employees of the sport sphere (Yelena Leuchanka, Nikolai Kozeko, Volha Mazuronak, Maryna Arzamasova, Aliaksandra Ramanouskaya, Stepan Popov, and many others) signed an open letter to Alexander Lukashenko, where, among other things, they demanded that the last presidential election be invalidated, all the persons detained during the protests be released, all the political prisoners be released and rehabilitated, and those responsible of the beatings and "bestial abuses" of the detainees be identified and punished. Human Rights Watch noted most of the protests had been peaceful, and described the police round-ups as “systemically brutal.” Belarusian central election committee said that Mr Lukashenko would be inaugurated as president for a new term within the next two months. Lukashenko has ordered the police to quell all protests in Minsk and has tightened border controls, checks have been introduced on people entering the TV station and all state workers have been told they will lose their jobs if they protest, with workers reportedly being brought in from Russia to replace striking workers. Two pro-Lukashenko rallies were held in the cities of Barysaw and Babruysk, both of which also featured police helicopters with the state flag. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was also held in Minsk, and others were held in the towns of Luninets and Staryya Darohi. Most of the staff of Radio Stalitsa of the state-owned National State Television and Radio Company of the Republic of Belarus resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. There currently are no broadcasts on the station except for sports news. A demonstration of hundreds chanting "resign" and "let them out" in the evening outside the Interior Ministry in Minsk was allowed to continue peacefully with no interference by the police.
|
|
| 973968519 |
2020-08-20T09:08:28Z |
155258(0) |
8778(0) |
353(0) |
Second week |
On August 19, the OMON forces dispersed the protesters that had gathered in the morning at the entrance to Minsk Tractor Works; two people were detained. 300 employees at the Minsk Tractor Works reportedly lost their jobs for demonstrating and other workers were locked in the factory to stop them walking out. The same day, Alexei Petkevich, endoscopist and employee of the Republican Clinical Medical Center in Minsk, announced that on August 14 he resigned his job in protest of the mass beatings of the detained protesters, stating, "I was shocked by what I saw. Our people were humiliated and torn to pieces". Natalya Volvacheva, headmaster of Polotsk school No. 5, also resigned in protest, saying, "My colleagues have been broken down by threats, turned into criminals, and made hostages of the system". Over 200 Belarusian sportsmen and sportswomen, sport journalists and employees of the sport sphere (Yelena Leuchanka, Nikolai Kozeko, Volha Mazuronak, Maryna Arzamasova, Aliaksandra Ramanouskaya, Stepan Popov, and many others) signed an open letter to Alexander Lukashenko, where, among other things, they demanded that the last presidential election be invalidated, all the persons detained during the protests be released, all the political prisoners be released and rehabilitated, and those responsible of the beatings and "bestial abuses" of the detainees be identified and punished. Human Rights Watch noted most of the protests had been peaceful, and described the police round-ups as “systemically brutal.” Belarusian central election committee said that Mr Lukashenko would be inaugurated as president for a new term within the next two months. Lukashenko has ordered the police to quell all protests in Minsk and has tightened border controls, checks have been introduced on people entering the TV station and all state workers have been told they will lose their jobs if they protest, with workers reportedly being brought in from Russia to replace striking workers. Two pro-Lukashenko rallies were held in the cities of Barysaw and Babruysk, both of which also featured police helicopters with the state flag. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was also held in Minsk, and others were held in the towns of Luninets and Staryya Darohi. Most of the staff of Radio Stalitsa of the state-owned National State Television and Radio Company of the Republic of Belarus resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. There currently are no broadcasts on the station except for sports news. A demonstration of hundreds chanting "resign" and "let them out" in the evening outside the Interior Ministry in Minsk was allowed to continue peacefully with no interference by the police.
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On 19 August, the OMON forces dispersed the protesters that had gathered in the morning at the entrance to Minsk Tractor Works; two people were detained. 300 employees at the Minsk Tractor Works reportedly lost their jobs for demonstrating and other workers were locked in the factory to stop them walking out. The same day, Alexei Petkevich, endoscopist and employee of the Republican Clinical Medical Center in Minsk, announced that on August 14 he resigned his job in protest of the mass beatings of the detained protesters, stating, "I was shocked by what I saw. Our people were humiliated and torn to pieces". Natalya Volvacheva, headmaster of Polotsk school No. 5, also resigned in protest, saying, "My colleagues have been broken down by threats, turned into criminals, and made hostages of the system". Over 200 Belarusian sportsmen and sportswomen, sport journalists and employees of the sport sphere (Yelena Leuchanka, Nikolai Kozeko, Volha Mazuronak, Maryna Arzamasova, Aliaksandra Ramanouskaya, Stepan Popov, and many others) signed an open letter to Alexander Lukashenko, where, among other things, they demanded that the last presidential election be invalidated, all the persons detained during the protests be released, all the political prisoners be released and rehabilitated, and those responsible of the beatings and "bestial abuses" of the detainees be identified and punished. Human Rights Watch noted most of the protests had been peaceful, and described the police round-ups as “systemically brutal.” Belarusian central election committee said that Mr Lukashenko would be inaugurated as president for a new term within the next two months. Lukashenko has ordered the police to quell all protests in Minsk and has tightened border controls, checks have been introduced on people entering the TV station and all state workers have been told they will lose their jobs if they protest, with workers reportedly being brought in from Russia to replace striking workers. Two pro-Lukashenko rallies were held in the cities of Barysaw and Babruysk, both of which also featured police helicopters with the state flag. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was also held in Minsk, and others were held in the towns of Luninets and Staryya Darohi. Most of the staff of Radio Stalitsa of the state-owned National State Television and Radio Company of the Republic of Belarus resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. There currently are no broadcasts on the station except for sports news. A demonstration of hundreds chanting "resign" and "let them out" in the evening outside the Interior Ministry in Minsk was allowed to continue peacefully with no interference by the police.
|
|
| 973970979 |
2020-08-20T09:36:28Z |
155771(513) |
8820(42) |
354(1) |
Support for victims of repression |
|
The Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus, Mikhail Orda called for the law officers to investigate every case of violence in a detailed and objective manner, adding that the Trade Unions were willing to provide legal assistance to all victims.
|
|
| 973971340 |
2020-08-20T09:40:34Z |
155769(-2) |
8820(0) |
354(0) |
Support for victims of repression |
|
|
|
| 973971643 |
2020-08-20T09:43:55Z |
155709(-60) |
8820(0) |
354(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 973972479 |
2020-08-20T09:52:34Z |
155946(237) |
8821(1) |
355(1) |
Deaths |
On 19 August, 43-year-old Gennady Shutov died in the Minsk military hospital after he had received a gunshot to his head during the August 11 protests in Brest; reportedly, the shot was fired by the police.
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On 19 August, 43-year-old Gennady Shutov died in the Minsk military hospital after he had received a gunshot to his head during the August 11 protests in Brest; reportedly, the shot was fired by the police.
|
|
| 973976498 |
2020-08-20T10:33:59Z |
155606(-340) |
8821(0) |
355(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 973981688 |
2020-08-20T11:28:40Z |
155603(-3) |
8820(-1) |
355(0) |
Support for victims of repression |
The Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus, Mikhail Orda called for the law officers to investigate every case of violence in a detailed and objective manner, adding that the Trade Unions were willing to provide legal assistance to all victims.
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Mikhail Orda, chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus, called for the law officers to investigate every case of violence in a detailed and objective manner, adding that the Trade Unions were willing to provide legal assistance to all victims.
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|
| 973984717 |
2020-08-20T11:58:06Z |
156042(439) |
8864(44) |
357(2) |
Second week |
|
On 20 August, it was reported that the Prosecutor General of Belarus, Alexander Konyuk, had began criminal proceedings against members of the Coordination Council, under article 361 of the Belarusian criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security.
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|
| 973984882 |
2020-08-20T11:59:39Z |
156045(3) |
8862(-2) |
357(0) |
|
Lukashenko decried the creation of the Council as an 'attempt to seize power' and promised "appropriate measures".
According to Russia's press service statement issued on August 19th, 2020, "Russia pointed out that foreign attempts to interfere in the country’s domestic affairs were unacceptable and could further escalate tensions" As Georgy Saralidze , advisor to the director of the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company on program policy, noted in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza that western countries had been striving to isolate Belarus away from Russia for several years. “The main goal is to prevent the expansion of the Union State, and ideally just to destroy it. What Vladimir Putin said to Merkel and Macron is a very symptomatic thing, because now there are attacks that Russia allegedly interferes in the affairs of Belarus. Moreover, there are no statements on the part of Russia, apart from the recognition of the election results. If you call it interference, then those who do not recognize the election also interfere in the affairs of Belarus."
On 19 August the EU promised two-million euros to assist the victims of state violence and one-million euros to support independent media as part of a 53 million euro package to support a peaceful transition.
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Lukashenko decried the creation of the council as an 'attempt to seize power' and promised "appropriate measures".
According to Russia's press service statement issued on August 19th, 2020, "Russia pointed out that foreign attempts to interfere in the country’s domestic affairs were unacceptable and could further escalate tensions" As Georgy Saralidze, advisor to the director of the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company on program policy, noted in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza that western countries had been striving to isolate Belarus away from Russia for several years. “The main goal is to prevent the expansion of the Union State, and ideally just to destroy it. What Vladimir Putin said to Merkel and Macron is a very symptomatic thing, because now there are attacks that Russia allegedly interferes in the affairs of Belarus. Moreover, there are no statements on the part of Russia, apart from the recognition of the election results. If you call it interference, then those who do not recognize the election also interfere in the affairs of Belarus."
On 19 August the EU promised two-million euros to assist the victims of state violence and one-million euros to support independent media as part of a 53 million euro package to support a peaceful transition.
|
|
| 973986771 |
2020-08-20T12:19:23Z |
156045(0) |
8862(0) |
357(0) |
Second week |
On 20 August, it was reported that the Prosecutor General of Belarus, Alexander Konyuk, had began criminal proceedings against members of the Coordination Council, under article 361 of the Belarusian criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security.
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On 20 August, it was reported that the Prosecutor General of Belarus, Alexander Konyuk, had began criminal proceedings against members of the Coordination Council, under article 361 of the Belarusian criminal code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security.
|
|
| 973999887 |
2020-08-20T14:07:07Z |
156417(372) |
8862(0) |
358(1) |
|
|
|
|
| 974001041 |
2020-08-20T14:16:46Z |
156695(278) |
8862(0) |
358(0) |
Symbols |
|
|
|
| 974006346 |
2020-08-20T14:57:10Z |
155962(-733) |
8805(-57) |
355(-3) |
Symbols |
Veteran organizations of Belarus reacted negatively to the red-and-white flag because of its use by Belarusian collaborators during the Second World War. Supporters of the white-red-white flag argue that Axis collaborators in Belgium, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, the Netherlands, Russia, Ukraine, France and Estonia also used their national flags during the Second World War. In addition, Klawdziy Duzh-Dushewski, the creator of this flag, refused to cooperate with the Nazi occupation forces. He was arrested by the Nazis for hiding a Jewish family in his house and was sent to the Pravieniškės death camp.
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At demonstrations purported to be in support of Alexander Lukashenko, flags flown include the current flag of Belarus, the current flag of Russia, the historical flag of the Soviet Union and the St. George Ribbon
|
|
| 974006597 |
2020-08-20T14:59:03Z |
156079(117) |
8805(0) |
356(1) |
Symbols used by supporters of Alexander Lukashenko |
At demonstrations purported to be in support of Alexander Lukashenko, flags flown include the current flag of Belarus, the current flag of Russia, the historical flag of the Soviet Union and the St. George Ribbon
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At demonstrations purported to be in support of Alexander Lukashenko, flags flown include the current flag of Belarus, the current flag of Russia, the historical flag of the Soviet Union and the St. George Ribbon.
|
|
| 974006869 |
2020-08-20T15:00:57Z |
155960(-119) |
8787(-18) |
356(0) |
Symbols used by supporters of the opposition |
The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former Coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic and was used by various independence groups including anti-communist in WW2 and when independence was achieved in 1991. A common slogan used by the protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus!.
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The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former Coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic. A common slogan used by the protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus!.
|
|
| 974007130 |
2020-08-20T15:02:54Z |
155956(-4) |
8787(0) |
356(0) |
Crimes against humanity |
|
|
|
| 974007834 |
2020-08-20T15:07:50Z |
155959(3) |
8787(0) |
356(0) |
Symbols used by supporters of the opposition |
|
|
|
| 974008821 |
2020-08-20T15:15:54Z |
156058(99) |
8801(14) |
356(0) |
|
On 10 August, a protester, Alexander Taraikovsky, died near Pushkinskaya metro station. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the protester tried to throw an explosive device at the government troopers and it exploded in his arms. However, some doubts in the circumstances of the death of the 34-year-old man were expressed. It was reported that a massive blood loss due to an open chest wound was recorded in a death certificate. A video was published on 15 August that shows the protester empty handed and getting shot by the policemen. On 15 August, the Associated Press published a single frame from a video made on 10 August. It showed a man in a white shirt that looks similar to Taraikovsky and is staggering unsteadily with a big red spot on his chest (presumably blood). The Belarusian Investigative Committee denied the authenticity of the frame, claiming that the original version was truthful. Elena German, the wife of Taraikovsky, saw the body in the morgue and reported that there were no injuries to his hands, but there was a small hole in his chest, consistent with a bullet hole. On 15 August, thousands of people gathered at the funeral in Minsk.
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On 10 August, a protester, Alexander Taraikovsky, died near Pushkinskaya metro station. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the protester tried to throw an explosive device at the government troopers and it exploded in his arms. However, some doubts in the circumstances of the death of the 34-year-old man were expressed. It was reported that a massive blood loss due to an open chest wound was recorded in a death certificate. A video was published on 15 August that shows the protester empty handed and getting shot by the policemen. On 15 August, the Associated Press published a single frame from a video made on 10 August. It showed a man in a white shirt that looks similar to Taraikovsky and is staggering unsteadily with a big red spot on his chest (presumably blood). No further commentary from the Ministry of Internal affairs followed, however, according to the Belarusian Investigative Committee, as of 15 August 2020, the circumstances of the Taraikovsky's death were under investigation. Elena German, the wife of Taraikovsky, saw the body in the morgue and reported that there were no injuries to his hands, but there was a small hole in his chest, consistent with a bullet hole. On 15 August, thousands of people gathered at the funeral in Minsk.
|
|
| 974012209 |
2020-08-20T15:41:51Z |
156068(10) |
8802(1) |
356(0) |
Second week |
Also on 17 August, Ukraine recalled its ambassador from Minsk and members of the European Parliament issued a joint statement, stating that they did not recognise Alexander Lukashenko as the president of Belarus and considered him a persona non grata in the European Union. The joint statement also proclaimed that reliable information shows that Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya won the election. Pavel Latushko, director of the Janka Kupala National Theatre in Minsk and former minister of culture, who had previsouly condemned the violence and cautiously supported the protests, was fired by the Belarusian Ministry of Culture. Miners of the Belaruskaly (ru) potash company in Salihorsk went on strike, refusing to go down the mines, and BMZ Steel Works in Zhlobin suspended work of the steel furnaces. BMZ workers announced to start an indefinite strike if their requirements are not met. Thousands of workers of Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ), Minsk Automobile Works (MAZ), Minsk Motor Works (MMZ; ru), Minsk electrotechnical factory (METZ; ru) and other factories marched through the city to the headquarters of the biggest state TV company and other locations. BelAZ workers in Zhodzina were intimidated by the company management, and their protest rally was postponed. A number of other factories suspended work temporarily (warning strike) or organized rallies with political demands (including Naftan (ru) oil refinery and "Polimir" chemical factory in Novapolatsk, glass fiber factory in Polatsk, Grodno-Azot fertilizer factory). It was reported that 76 people disappeared during the protests in Belarus as of 17 August, because they are not on the lists of arrested and convicted. Igor Leshchenya, the Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia who sided with the protesters and the first official to do so, said that he does not think there is a threat of a Russian military intervention, stating that it was in the interests of Russia to "to support new free and fair elections". He also said that a new election was inevitable.
On 18 August, it was reported that international companies in retail, banks, mobile and food sectors have started pulling their advertising campaigns from Belarusian TV channels, including the state TV. German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke to Vladimir Putin saying that the Belarusian government must avoid using force against peaceful protesters, immediately release political prisoners and start a national dialogue. In response, Putin warned Merkel that foreign interference in the ex-Soviet state would be unacceptable. The Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia, Igor Leshchenya, resigned, along with four other diplomats. The troupe of Janka Kupala National Theater in Minsk resigned en-masse. The Government of the Republic of Estonia confirmed that they did not recognise the election results. An extract of a letter from Maria Kolesnikova (a member of Tikhanovskaya's headquarters) was published by Ekho Moskvy radio station stating that Belarus should respect all of its existing agreements with Russia, that Russia was an important partner (within the Union State of Russia and Belarus), and that recent tensions were because of Lukashenko. Workers from various additional factories and postal workers joined the strikes and the Komsomolskaya Pravda v Belorusi newspaper said it was unable to print its Tuesday edition focusing on historic protests over the weekend, before announcing it had secured another printer that would produce its print edition a day late. The Belarusian Telegraph Agency issued a misleading video purporting to show Belarusian protesters being violent. Pictures from Belarus were mixed with pictures from the 2019 protests in Catalonia. Demonstrations supporting Lukashenko took place in Mogilev, Gomel, and Khotsimsk. During the pro-Lukashenko rally in Mogliev, a helicopter flew over the attendees with the state flag, while a large state flag was blown off the local government building where it was hung. In Mogilev, one of the activists marching near the executive committee building was deliberately injured by a hit-and-run driver, with no medically significant outcome. In a statement made on August 18th, 2020, the Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko stated that, "to date, all enterprises in the real sector of the economy are operating normally, conveyers are not stopped anywhere."
On 19 August, the OMON forces dispersed the protesters that had gathered in the morning at the entrance to Minsk Tractor Works; two people were detained. 300 employees at the Minsk Tractor Works reportedly lost their jobs for demonstrating and other workers were locked in the factory to stop them walking out. The same day, Alexei Petkevich, endoscopist and employee of the Republican Clinical Medical Center in Minsk, announced that on August 14 he resigned his job in protest of the mass beatings of the detained protesters, stating, "I was shocked by what I saw. Our people were humiliated and torn to pieces". Natalya Volvacheva, headmaster of Polotsk school No. 5, also resigned in protest, saying, "My colleagues have been broken down by threats, turned into criminals, and made hostages of the system". Over 200 Belarusian sportsmen and sportswomen, sport journalists and employees of the sport sphere (Yelena Leuchanka, Nikolai Kozeko, Volha Mazuronak, Maryna Arzamasova, Aliaksandra Ramanouskaya, Stepan Popov, and many others) signed an open letter to Alexander Lukashenko, where, among other things, they demanded that the last presidential election be invalidated, all the persons detained during the protests be released, all the political prisoners be released and rehabilitated, and those responsible of the beatings and "bestial abuses" of the detainees be identified and punished. Human Rights Watch noted most of the protests had been peaceful, and described the police round-ups as “systemically brutal.” Belarusian central election committee said that Mr Lukashenko would be inaugurated as president for a new term within the next two months. Lukashenko has ordered the police to quell all protests in Minsk and has tightened border controls, checks have been introduced on people entering the TV station and all state workers have been told they will lose their jobs if they protest, with workers reportedly being brought in from Russia to replace striking workers. Two pro-Lukashenko rallies were held in the cities of Barysaw and Babruysk, both of which also featured police helicopters with the state flag. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was also held in Minsk, and others were held in the towns of Luninets and Staryya Darohi. Most of the staff of Radio Stalitsa of the state-owned National State Television and Radio Company of the Republic of Belarus resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. There currently are no broadcasts on the station except for sports news. A demonstration of hundreds chanting "resign" and "let them out" in the evening outside the Interior Ministry in Minsk was allowed to continue peacefully with no interference by the police.
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Also on 17 August, Ukraine recalled its ambassador from Minsk and members of the European Parliament issued a joint statement, stating that they did not recognise Alexander Lukashenko as the president of Belarus and considered him a persona non grata in the European Union. The joint statement also proclaimed that reliable information shows that Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya won the election. Pavel Latushko, director of the Janka Kupala National Theatre in Minsk and former minister of culture, who had previously condemned the violence and cautiously supported the protests, was fired by the Belarusian Ministry of Culture. Miners of the Belaruskaly (ru) potash company in Salihorsk went on strike, refusing to go down the mines, and BMZ Steel Works in Zhlobin suspended work of the steel furnaces. BMZ workers announced to start an indefinite strike if their requirements are not met. Thousands of workers of Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ), Minsk Automobile Works (MAZ), Minsk Motor Works (MMZ; ru), Minsk electrotechnical factory (METZ; ru) and other factories marched through the city to the headquarters of the biggest state TV company and other locations. BelAZ workers in Zhodzina were intimidated by the company management, and their protest rally was postponed. A number of other factories suspended work temporarily (warning strike) or organized rallies with political demands (including Naftan (ru) oil refinery and "Polimir" chemical factory in Novapolatsk, glass fiber factory in Polatsk, Grodno-Azot fertilizer factory). It was reported that 76 people disappeared during the protests in Belarus as of 17 August, because they are not on the lists of arrested and convicted. Igor Leshchenya, the Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia who sided with the protesters and the first official to do so, said that he does not think there is a threat of Russian military intervention, stating that it was in the interests of Russia to "to support new free and fair elections". He also said that a new election was inevitable.
On 18 August, it was reported that international companies in retail, banks, mobile, and food sectors have started pulling their advertising campaigns from Belarusian TV channels, including the state TV. German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke to Vladimir Putin saying that the Belarusian government must avoid using force against peaceful protesters, immediately release political prisoners and start a national dialogue. In response, Putin warned Merkel that foreign interference in the ex-Soviet state would be unacceptable. The Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia, Igor Leshchenya, resigned, along with four other diplomats. The troupe of Janka Kupala National Theater in Minsk resigned en-masse. The Government of the Republic of Estonia confirmed that they did not recognise the election results. An extract of a letter from Maria Kolesnikova (a member of Tikhanovskaya's headquarters) was published by Ekho Moskvy radio station stating that Belarus should respect all of its existing agreements with Russia, that Russia was an important partner (within the Union State of Russia and Belarus), and that recent tensions were because of Lukashenko. Workers from various additional factories and postal workers joined the strikes and the Komsomolskaya Pravda v Belorusi newspaper said it was unable to print its Tuesday edition focusing on historic protests over the weekend, before announcing it had secured another printer that would produce its print edition a day late. The Belarusian Telegraph Agency issued a misleading video purporting to show Belarusian protesters being violent. Pictures from Belarus were mixed with pictures from the 2019 protests in Catalonia. Demonstrations supporting Lukashenko took place in Mogilev, Gomel, and Khotsimsk. During the pro-Lukashenko rally in Mogliev, a helicopter flew over the attendees with the state flag, while a large state flag was blown off the local government building where it was hung. In Mogilev, one of the activists marching near the executive committee building was deliberately injured by a hit-and-run driver, with no medically significant outcome. In a statement made on August 18th, 2020, the Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko stated that, "to date, all enterprises in the real sector of the economy are operating normally, conveyers are not stopped anywhere."
On 19 August, the OMON forces dispersed the protesters that had gathered in the morning at the entrance to Minsk Tractor Works; two people were detained. 300 employees at the Minsk Tractor Works reportedly lost their jobs for demonstrating and other workers were locked in the factory to stop them from walking out. The same day, Alexei Petkevich, endoscopist and employee of the Republican Clinical Medical Center in Minsk, announced that on August 14 he resigned his job in protest of the mass beatings of the detained protesters, stating, "I was shocked by what I saw. Our people were humiliated and torn to pieces". Natalya Volvacheva, the headmaster of Polotsk school No. 5, also resigned in protest, saying, "My colleagues have been broken down by threats, turned into criminals, and made hostages of the system". Over 200 Belarusian sportsmen and sportswomen, sports journalists and employees of the sports sphere (Yelena Leuchanka, Nikolai Kozeko, Volha Mazuronak, Maryna Arzamasova, Aliaksandra Ramanouskaya, Stepan Popov, and many others) signed an open letter to Alexander Lukashenko, where, among other things, they demanded that the last presidential election be invalidated, all the persons detained during the protests be released, all the political prisoners be released and rehabilitated, and those responsible of the beatings and "bestial abuses" of the detainees be identified and punished. Human Rights Watch noted most of the protests had been peaceful and described the police round-ups as “systemically brutal.” Belarusian central election committee said that Mr. Lukashenko would be inaugurated as president for a new term within the next two months. Lukashenko has ordered the police to quell all protests in Minsk and has tightened border controls, checks have been introduced on people entering the TV station and all state workers have been told they will lose their jobs if they protest, with workers reportedly being brought in from Russia to replace striking workers. Two pro-Lukashenko rallies were held in the cities of Barysaw and Babruysk, both of which also featured police helicopters with the state flag. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was also held in Minsk, and others were held in the towns of Luninets and Staryya Darohi. Most of the staff of Radio Stalitsa of the state-owned National State Television and Radio Company of the Republic of Belarus resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. There currently are no broadcasts on the station except for sports news. A demonstration of hundreds chanting "resign" and "let them out" in the evening outside the Interior Ministry in Minsk was allowed to continue peacefully with no interference by the police.
|
|
| 974012821 |
2020-08-20T15:46:25Z |
156127(59) |
8802(0) |
356(0) |
Second week |
|
|
|
| 974012861 |
2020-08-20T15:46:42Z |
156122(-5) |
8802(0) |
356(0) |
Symbols used by supporters of Alexander Lukashenko |
|
|
|
| 974014530 |
2020-08-20T15:59:59Z |
156292(170) |
8820(18) |
357(1) |
Second week |
On 20 August, it was reported that the Prosecutor General of Belarus, Alexander Konyuk, had began criminal proceedings against members of the Coordination Council, under article 361 of the Belarusian criminal code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security.
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On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, member of the council's presidium, Maxim Znak, was summoned for police questioning on 20 August.
|
|
| 974014618 |
2020-08-20T16:00:34Z |
156288(-4) |
8819(-1) |
357(0) |
Second week |
On 18 August, it was reported that international companies in retail, banks, mobile, and food sectors have started pulling their advertising campaigns from Belarusian TV channels, including the state TV. German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke to Vladimir Putin saying that the Belarusian government must avoid using force against peaceful protesters, immediately release political prisoners and start a national dialogue. In response, Putin warned Merkel that foreign interference in the ex-Soviet state would be unacceptable. The Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia, Igor Leshchenya, resigned, along with four other diplomats. The troupe of Janka Kupala National Theater in Minsk resigned en-masse. The Government of the Republic of Estonia confirmed that they did not recognise the election results. An extract of a letter from Maria Kolesnikova (a member of Tikhanovskaya's headquarters) was published by Ekho Moskvy radio station stating that Belarus should respect all of its existing agreements with Russia, that Russia was an important partner (within the Union State of Russia and Belarus), and that recent tensions were because of Lukashenko. Workers from various additional factories and postal workers joined the strikes and the Komsomolskaya Pravda v Belorusi newspaper said it was unable to print its Tuesday edition focusing on historic protests over the weekend, before announcing it had secured another printer that would produce its print edition a day late. The Belarusian Telegraph Agency issued a misleading video purporting to show Belarusian protesters being violent. Pictures from Belarus were mixed with pictures from the 2019 protests in Catalonia. Demonstrations supporting Lukashenko took place in Mogilev, Gomel, and Khotsimsk. During the pro-Lukashenko rally in Mogliev, a helicopter flew over the attendees with the state flag, while a large state flag was blown off the local government building where it was hung. In Mogilev, one of the activists marching near the executive committee building was deliberately injured by a hit-and-run driver, with no medically significant outcome. In a statement made on August 18th, 2020, the Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko stated that, "to date, all enterprises in the real sector of the economy are operating normally, conveyers are not stopped anywhere."
On 19 August, the OMON forces dispersed the protesters that had gathered in the morning at the entrance to Minsk Tractor Works; two people were detained. 300 employees at the Minsk Tractor Works reportedly lost their jobs for demonstrating and other workers were locked in the factory to stop them from walking out. The same day, Alexei Petkevich, endoscopist and employee of the Republican Clinical Medical Center in Minsk, announced that on August 14 he resigned his job in protest of the mass beatings of the detained protesters, stating, "I was shocked by what I saw. Our people were humiliated and torn to pieces". Natalya Volvacheva, the headmaster of Polotsk school No. 5, also resigned in protest, saying, "My colleagues have been broken down by threats, turned into criminals, and made hostages of the system". Over 200 Belarusian sportsmen and sportswomen, sports journalists and employees of the sports sphere (Yelena Leuchanka, Nikolai Kozeko, Volha Mazuronak, Maryna Arzamasova, Aliaksandra Ramanouskaya, Stepan Popov, and many others) signed an open letter to Alexander Lukashenko, where, among other things, they demanded that the last presidential election be invalidated, all the persons detained during the protests be released, all the political prisoners be released and rehabilitated, and those responsible of the beatings and "bestial abuses" of the detainees be identified and punished. Human Rights Watch noted most of the protests had been peaceful and described the police round-ups as “systemically brutal.” Belarusian central election committee said that Mr. Lukashenko would be inaugurated as president for a new term within the next two months. Lukashenko has ordered the police to quell all protests in Minsk and has tightened border controls, checks have been introduced on people entering the TV station and all state workers have been told they will lose their jobs if they protest, with workers reportedly being brought in from Russia to replace striking workers. Two pro-Lukashenko rallies were held in the cities of Barysaw and Babruysk, both of which also featured police helicopters with the state flag. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was also held in Minsk, and others were held in the towns of Luninets and Staryya Darohi. Most of the staff of Radio Stalitsa of the state-owned National State Television and Radio Company of the Republic of Belarus resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. There currently are no broadcasts on the station except for sports news. A demonstration of hundreds chanting "resign" and "let them out" in the evening outside the Interior Ministry in Minsk was allowed to continue peacefully with no interference by the police.
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On 18 August, it was reported that international companies in retail, banks, mobile, and food sectors have started pulling their advertising campaigns from Belarusian TV channels, including the state TV. German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke to Vladimir Putin saying that the Belarusian government must avoid using force against peaceful protesters, immediately release political prisoners and start a national dialogue. In response, Putin warned Merkel that foreign interference in the ex-Soviet state would be unacceptable. The Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia, Igor Leshchenya, resigned, along with four other diplomats. The troupe of Janka Kupala National Theater in Minsk resigned en-masse. The Government of the Republic of Estonia confirmed that they did not recognise the election results. An extract of a letter from Maria Kolesnikova (a member of Tikhanovskaya's headquarters) was published by Ekho Moskvy radio station stating that Belarus should respect all of its existing agreements with Russia, that Russia was an important partner (within the Union State of Russia and Belarus), and that recent tensions were because of Lukashenko. Workers from various additional factories and postal workers joined the strikes and the Komsomolskaya Pravda v Belorusi newspaper said it was unable to print its Tuesday edition focusing on historic protests over the weekend, before announcing it had secured another printer that would produce its print edition a day late. The Belarusian Telegraph Agency issued a misleading video purporting to show Belarusian protesters being violent. Pictures from Belarus were mixed with pictures from the 2019 protests in Catalonia. Demonstrations supporting Lukashenko took place in Mogilev, Gomel, and Khotsimsk. During the pro-Lukashenko rally in Mogliev, a helicopter flew over the attendees with the state flag, while a large state flag was blown off the local government building where it was hung. In Mogilev, one of the activists marching near the executive committee building was deliberately injured by a hit-and-run driver, with no medically significant outcome. In a statement made on18 August 2020, the Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko stated that, "to date, all enterprises in the real sector of the economy are operating normally, conveyers are not stopped anywhere."
On 19 August, the OMON forces dispersed the protesters that had gathered in the morning at the entrance to Minsk Tractor Works; two people were detained. 300 employees at the Minsk Tractor Works reportedly lost their jobs for demonstrating and other workers were locked in the factory to stop them from walking out. The same day, Alexei Petkevich, endoscopist and employee of the Republican Clinical Medical Center in Minsk, announced that on 14 August he resigned his job in protest of the mass beatings of the detained protesters, stating, "I was shocked by what I saw. Our people were humiliated and torn to pieces". Natalya Volvacheva, the headmaster of Polotsk school No. 5, also resigned in protest, saying, "My colleagues have been broken down by threats, turned into criminals, and made hostages of the system". Over 200 Belarusian sportsmen and sportswomen, sports journalists and employees of the sports sphere (Yelena Leuchanka, Nikolai Kozeko, Volha Mazuronak, Maryna Arzamasova, Aliaksandra Ramanouskaya, Stepan Popov, and many others) signed an open letter to Alexander Lukashenko, where, among other things, they demanded that the last presidential election be invalidated, all the persons detained during the protests be released, all the political prisoners be released and rehabilitated, and those responsible of the beatings and "bestial abuses" of the detainees be identified and punished. Human Rights Watch noted most of the protests had been peaceful and described the police round-ups as “systemically brutal.” Belarusian central election committee said that Mr. Lukashenko would be inaugurated as president for a new term within the next two months. Lukashenko has ordered the police to quell all protests in Minsk and has tightened border controls, checks have been introduced on people entering the TV station and all state workers have been told they will lose their jobs if they protest, with workers reportedly being brought in from Russia to replace striking workers. Two pro-Lukashenko rallies were held in the cities of Barysaw and Babruysk, both of which also featured police helicopters with the state flag. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was also held in Minsk, and others were held in the towns of Luninets and Staryya Darohi. Most of the staff of Radio Stalitsa of the state-owned National State Television and Radio Company of the Republic of Belarus resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. There currently are no broadcasts on the station except for sports news. A demonstration of hundreds chanting "resign" and "let them out" in the evening outside the Interior Ministry in Minsk was allowed to continue peacefully with no interference by the police.
|
|
| 974015522 |
2020-08-20T16:07:19Z |
156274(-14) |
8815(-4) |
357(0) |
Second week |
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, member of the council's presidium, Maxim Znak, was summoned for police questioning on 20 August.
|
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, member of the council's presidium, Maxim Znak, was summoned for police questioning.
|
|
| 974015809 |
2020-08-20T16:09:44Z |
156270(-4) |
8815(0) |
357(0) |
Second week |
On 19 August, the OMON forces dispersed the protesters that had gathered in the morning at the entrance to Minsk Tractor Works; two people were detained. 300 employees at the Minsk Tractor Works reportedly lost their jobs for demonstrating and other workers were locked in the factory to stop them from walking out. The same day, Alexei Petkevich, endoscopist and employee of the Republican Clinical Medical Center in Minsk, announced that on 14 August he resigned his job in protest of the mass beatings of the detained protesters, stating, "I was shocked by what I saw. Our people were humiliated and torn to pieces". Natalya Volvacheva, the headmaster of Polotsk school No. 5, also resigned in protest, saying, "My colleagues have been broken down by threats, turned into criminals, and made hostages of the system". Over 200 Belarusian sportsmen and sportswomen, sports journalists and employees of the sports sphere (Yelena Leuchanka, Nikolai Kozeko, Volha Mazuronak, Maryna Arzamasova, Aliaksandra Ramanouskaya, Stepan Popov, and many others) signed an open letter to Alexander Lukashenko, where, among other things, they demanded that the last presidential election be invalidated, all the persons detained during the protests be released, all the political prisoners be released and rehabilitated, and those responsible of the beatings and "bestial abuses" of the detainees be identified and punished. Human Rights Watch noted most of the protests had been peaceful and described the police round-ups as “systemically brutal.” Belarusian central election committee said that Mr. Lukashenko would be inaugurated as president for a new term within the next two months. Lukashenko has ordered the police to quell all protests in Minsk and has tightened border controls, checks have been introduced on people entering the TV station and all state workers have been told they will lose their jobs if they protest, with workers reportedly being brought in from Russia to replace striking workers. Two pro-Lukashenko rallies were held in the cities of Barysaw and Babruysk, both of which also featured police helicopters with the state flag. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was also held in Minsk, and others were held in the towns of Luninets and Staryya Darohi. Most of the staff of Radio Stalitsa of the state-owned National State Television and Radio Company of the Republic of Belarus resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. There currently are no broadcasts on the station except for sports news. A demonstration of hundreds chanting "resign" and "let them out" in the evening outside the Interior Ministry in Minsk was allowed to continue peacefully with no interference by the police.
|
On 19 August, the OMON forces dispersed the protesters that had gathered in the morning at the entrance to Minsk Tractor Works; two people were detained. 300 employees at the Minsk Tractor Works reportedly lost their jobs for demonstrating and other workers were locked in the factory to stop them from walking out. The same day, Alexei Petkevich, endoscopist and employee of the Republican Clinical Medical Center in Minsk, announced that on 14 August he resigned his job in protest of the mass beatings of the detained protesters, stating, "I was shocked by what I saw. Our people were humiliated and torn to pieces". Natalya Volvacheva, the headmaster of Polotsk school No. 5, also resigned in protest, saying, "My colleagues have been broken down by threats, turned into criminals, and made hostages of the system". Over 200 Belarusian sportsmen and sportswomen, sports journalists and employees of the sports sphere (Yelena Leuchanka, Nikolai Kozeko, Volha Mazuronak, Maryna Arzamasova, Aliaksandra Ramanouskaya, Stepan Popov, and many others) signed an open letter to Alexander Lukashenko, where, among other things, they demanded that the last presidential election be invalidated, all the persons detained during the protests be released, all the political prisoners be released and rehabilitated, and those responsible of the beatings and "bestial abuses" of the detainees be identified and punished. Human Rights Watch noted most of the protests had been peaceful and described the police round-ups as "systemically brutal." Belarusian central election committee said that Mr. Lukashenko would be inaugurated as president for a new term within the next two months. Lukashenko has ordered the police to quell all protests in Minsk and has tightened border controls, checks have been introduced on people entering the TV station and all state workers have been told they will lose their jobs if they protest, with workers reportedly being brought in from Russia to replace striking workers. Two pro-Lukashenko rallies were held in the cities of Barysaw and Babruysk, both of which also featured police helicopters with the state flag. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was also held in Minsk, and others were held in the towns of Luninets and Staryya Darohi. Most of the staff of Radio Stalitsa of the state-owned National State Television and Radio Company of the Republic of Belarus resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. There currently are no broadcasts on the station except for sports news. A demonstration of hundreds chanting "resign" and "let them out" in the evening outside the Interior Ministry in Minsk was allowed to continue peacefully with no interference by the police.
|
|
| 974016840 |
2020-08-20T16:18:20Z |
156271(1) |
8814(-1) |
357(0) |
Second week |
Also on 17 August, Ukraine recalled its ambassador from Minsk and members of the European Parliament issued a joint statement, stating that they did not recognise Alexander Lukashenko as the president of Belarus and considered him a persona non grata in the European Union. The joint statement also proclaimed that reliable information shows that Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya won the election. Pavel Latushko, director of the Janka Kupala National Theatre in Minsk and former minister of culture, who had previously condemned the violence and cautiously supported the protests, was fired by the Belarusian Ministry of Culture. Miners of the Belaruskaly (ru) potash company in Salihorsk went on strike, refusing to go down the mines, and BMZ Steel Works in Zhlobin suspended work of the steel furnaces. BMZ workers announced to start an indefinite strike if their requirements are not met. Thousands of workers of Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ), Minsk Automobile Works (MAZ), Minsk Motor Works (MMZ; ru), Minsk electrotechnical factory (METZ; ru) and other factories marched through the city to the headquarters of the biggest state TV company and other locations. BelAZ workers in Zhodzina were intimidated by the company management, and their protest rally was postponed. A number of other factories suspended work temporarily (warning strike) or organized rallies with political demands (including Naftan (ru) oil refinery and "Polimir" chemical factory in Novapolatsk, glass fiber factory in Polatsk, Grodno-Azot fertilizer factory). It was reported that 76 people disappeared during the protests in Belarus as of 17 August, because they are not on the lists of arrested and convicted. Igor Leshchenya, the Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia who sided with the protesters and the first official to do so, said that he does not think there is a threat of Russian military intervention, stating that it was in the interests of Russia to "to support new free and fair elections". He also said that a new election was inevitable.
On 18 August, it was reported that international companies in retail, banks, mobile, and food sectors have started pulling their advertising campaigns from Belarusian TV channels, including the state TV. German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke to Vladimir Putin saying that the Belarusian government must avoid using force against peaceful protesters, immediately release political prisoners and start a national dialogue. In response, Putin warned Merkel that foreign interference in the ex-Soviet state would be unacceptable. The Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia, Igor Leshchenya, resigned, along with four other diplomats. The troupe of Janka Kupala National Theater in Minsk resigned en-masse. The Government of the Republic of Estonia confirmed that they did not recognise the election results. An extract of a letter from Maria Kolesnikova (a member of Tikhanovskaya's headquarters) was published by Ekho Moskvy radio station stating that Belarus should respect all of its existing agreements with Russia, that Russia was an important partner (within the Union State of Russia and Belarus), and that recent tensions were because of Lukashenko. Workers from various additional factories and postal workers joined the strikes and the Komsomolskaya Pravda v Belorusi newspaper said it was unable to print its Tuesday edition focusing on historic protests over the weekend, before announcing it had secured another printer that would produce its print edition a day late. The Belarusian Telegraph Agency issued a misleading video purporting to show Belarusian protesters being violent. Pictures from Belarus were mixed with pictures from the 2019 protests in Catalonia. Demonstrations supporting Lukashenko took place in Mogilev, Gomel, and Khotsimsk. During the pro-Lukashenko rally in Mogliev, a helicopter flew over the attendees with the state flag, while a large state flag was blown off the local government building where it was hung. In Mogilev, one of the activists marching near the executive committee building was deliberately injured by a hit-and-run driver, with no medically significant outcome. In a statement made on18 August 2020, the Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko stated that, "to date, all enterprises in the real sector of the economy are operating normally, conveyers are not stopped anywhere."
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Also, on 17 August, Ukraine recalled its ambassador from Minsk and members of the European Parliament issued a joint statement, stating that they did not recognise Alexander Lukashenko as the president of Belarus and considered him a persona non grata in the European Union. The joint statement also proclaimed that reliable information shows that Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya won the election. Pavel Latushko, director of the Janka Kupala National Theatre in Minsk and former minister of culture, who had previously condemned the violence and cautiously supported the protests, was fired by the Belarusian Ministry of Culture. Miners of the Belaruskaly (ru) potash company in Salihorsk went on strike, refusing to go down the mines, and BMZ Steel Works in Zhlobin suspended work of the steel furnaces. BMZ workers announced to start an indefinite strike if their requirements are not met. Thousands of workers of Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ), Minsk Automobile Works (MAZ), Minsk Motor Works (MMZ; ru), Minsk electrotechnical factory (METZ; ru) and other factories marched through the city to the headquarters of the biggest state TV company and other locations. BelAZ workers in Zhodzina were intimidated by the company management, and their protest rally was postponed. A number of other factories suspended work temporarily (warning strike) or organized rallies with political demands (including Naftan (ru) oil refinery and "Polimir" chemical factory in Novapolatsk, glass fiber factory in Polatsk, Grodno-Azot fertilizer factory). It was reported that 76 people disappeared during the protests in Belarus as of 17 August, because they are not on the lists of arrested and convicted. Igor Leshchenya, the Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia who sided with the protesters and the first official to do so, said that he does not think there is a threat of Russian military intervention, stating that it was in the interests of Russia to "to support new free and fair elections". He also said that a new election was inevitable.
On 18 August, it was reported that international companies in retail, banks, mobile, and food sectors have started pulling their advertising campaigns from Belarusian TV channels, including the state TV. German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke to Vladimir Putin, saying that the Belarusian government must avoid using force against peaceful protesters, immediately release political prisoners and start a national dialogue. In response, Putin warned Merkel that foreign interference in the ex-Soviet state would be unacceptable. The Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia, Igor Leshchenya, resigned, along with four other diplomats. The troupe of Janka Kupala National Theater in Minsk resigned en-masse. The Government of the Republic of Estonia confirmed that they did not recognise the election results. An extract of a letter from Maria Kolesnikova (a member of Tikhanovskaya's headquarters) was published by Ekho Moskvy radio station stating that Belarus should respect all of its existing agreements with Russia, that Russia was an important partner (within the Union State of Russia and Belarus), and that recent tensions were because of Lukashenko. Workers from various additional factories and postal workers joined the strikes and the Komsomolskaya Pravda v Belorusi newspaper said it was unable to print its Tuesday edition focusing on historic protests over the weekend, before announcing it had secured another printer that would produce its print edition a day late. The Belarusian Telegraph Agency issued a misleading video purporting to show Belarusian protesters being violent. Pictures from Belarus were mixed with pictures from the 2019 protests in Catalonia. Demonstrations supporting Lukashenko took place in Mogilev, Gomel, and Khotsimsk. During the pro-Lukashenko rally in Mogliev, a helicopter flew over the attendees with the state flag, while a large state flag was blown off the local government building where it was hung. In Mogilev, one of the activists marching near the executive committee building was deliberately injured by a hit-and-run driver, with no medically significant outcome. In a statement made on18 August 2020, the Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko stated that, "to date, all enterprises in the real sector of the economy are operating normally, conveyers are not stopped anywhere."
|
|
| 974017973 |
2020-08-20T16:28:06Z |
156235(-36) |
8805(-9) |
357(0) |
Second week |
On 18 August, it was reported that international companies in retail, banks, mobile, and food sectors have started pulling their advertising campaigns from Belarusian TV channels, including the state TV. German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke to Vladimir Putin, saying that the Belarusian government must avoid using force against peaceful protesters, immediately release political prisoners and start a national dialogue. In response, Putin warned Merkel that foreign interference in the ex-Soviet state would be unacceptable. The Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia, Igor Leshchenya, resigned, along with four other diplomats. The troupe of Janka Kupala National Theater in Minsk resigned en-masse. The Government of the Republic of Estonia confirmed that they did not recognise the election results. An extract of a letter from Maria Kolesnikova (a member of Tikhanovskaya's headquarters) was published by Ekho Moskvy radio station stating that Belarus should respect all of its existing agreements with Russia, that Russia was an important partner (within the Union State of Russia and Belarus), and that recent tensions were because of Lukashenko. Workers from various additional factories and postal workers joined the strikes and the Komsomolskaya Pravda v Belorusi newspaper said it was unable to print its Tuesday edition focusing on historic protests over the weekend, before announcing it had secured another printer that would produce its print edition a day late. The Belarusian Telegraph Agency issued a misleading video purporting to show Belarusian protesters being violent. Pictures from Belarus were mixed with pictures from the 2019 protests in Catalonia. Demonstrations supporting Lukashenko took place in Mogilev, Gomel, and Khotsimsk. During the pro-Lukashenko rally in Mogliev, a helicopter flew over the attendees with the state flag, while a large state flag was blown off the local government building where it was hung. In Mogilev, one of the activists marching near the executive committee building was deliberately injured by a hit-and-run driver, with no medically significant outcome. In a statement made on18 August 2020, the Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko stated that, "to date, all enterprises in the real sector of the economy are operating normally, conveyers are not stopped anywhere."
On 19 August, the OMON forces dispersed the protesters that had gathered in the morning at the entrance to Minsk Tractor Works; two people were detained. 300 employees at the Minsk Tractor Works reportedly lost their jobs for demonstrating and other workers were locked in the factory to stop them from walking out. The same day, Alexei Petkevich, endoscopist and employee of the Republican Clinical Medical Center in Minsk, announced that on 14 August he resigned his job in protest of the mass beatings of the detained protesters, stating, "I was shocked by what I saw. Our people were humiliated and torn to pieces". Natalya Volvacheva, the headmaster of Polotsk school No. 5, also resigned in protest, saying, "My colleagues have been broken down by threats, turned into criminals, and made hostages of the system". Over 200 Belarusian sportsmen and sportswomen, sports journalists and employees of the sports sphere (Yelena Leuchanka, Nikolai Kozeko, Volha Mazuronak, Maryna Arzamasova, Aliaksandra Ramanouskaya, Stepan Popov, and many others) signed an open letter to Alexander Lukashenko, where, among other things, they demanded that the last presidential election be invalidated, all the persons detained during the protests be released, all the political prisoners be released and rehabilitated, and those responsible of the beatings and "bestial abuses" of the detainees be identified and punished. Human Rights Watch noted most of the protests had been peaceful and described the police round-ups as "systemically brutal." Belarusian central election committee said that Mr. Lukashenko would be inaugurated as president for a new term within the next two months. Lukashenko has ordered the police to quell all protests in Minsk and has tightened border controls, checks have been introduced on people entering the TV station and all state workers have been told they will lose their jobs if they protest, with workers reportedly being brought in from Russia to replace striking workers. Two pro-Lukashenko rallies were held in the cities of Barysaw and Babruysk, both of which also featured police helicopters with the state flag. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was also held in Minsk, and others were held in the towns of Luninets and Staryya Darohi. Most of the staff of Radio Stalitsa of the state-owned National State Television and Radio Company of the Republic of Belarus resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. There currently are no broadcasts on the station except for sports news. A demonstration of hundreds chanting "resign" and "let them out" in the evening outside the Interior Ministry in Minsk was allowed to continue peacefully with no interference by the police.
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, member of the council's presidium, Maxim Znak, was summoned for police questioning.
|
On 18 August, it was reported that international companies in retail, banks, mobile, and food sectors have started pulling their advertising campaigns from Belarusian TV channels, including the state TV. German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke to Vladimir Putin, saying that the Belarusian government must avoid using force against peaceful protesters, immediately release political prisoners and start a national dialogue. In response, Putin warned Merkel that foreign interference in the ex-Soviet state would be unacceptable. The Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia, Igor Leshchenya, resigned, along with four other diplomats. The troupe of Janka Kupala National Theater in Minsk resigned en-masse. The Government of the Republic of Estonia confirmed that they did not recognise the election results. An extract of a letter from Maria Kolesnikova (a member of Tikhanovskaya's headquarters) was published by Ekho Moskvy radio station stating that Belarus should respect all of its existing agreements with Russia, that Russia was an important partner (within the Union State of Russia and Belarus), and that recent tensions were because of Lukashenko. Workers from various additional factories and postal workers joined the strikes and the Komsomolskaya Pravda v Belorusi newspaper said it was unable to print its Tuesday edition focusing on historic protests over the weekend, before announcing it had secured another printer that would produce its print edition a day late. The Belarusian Telegraph Agency issued a misleading video purporting to show Belarusian protesters being violent. Pictures from Belarus were mixed with pictures from the 2019 protests in Catalonia. Demonstrations supporting Lukashenko took place in Mogilev, Gomel, and Khotsimsk. During the pro-Lukashenko rally in Mogliev, a helicopter flew over the attendees with the state flag, while a large state flag was blown off the local government building where it was hung. In Mogilev, one of the activists marching near the executive committee building was deliberately injured by a hit-and-run driver, with no medically significant outcome. In a statement made on 18 August 2020, Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko stated that, "to date, all enterprises in the real sector of the economy are operating normally, conveyers are not stopped anywhere."
On 19 August, the OMON forces dispersed the protesters that had gathered in the morning at the entrance to Minsk Tractor Works; two people were detained. 300 employees at the Minsk Tractor Works reportedly lost their jobs for demonstrating. Other workers were locked in the factory to stop them from walking out. The same day, Alexei Petkevich, endoscopist and employee of the Republican Clinical Medical Center in Minsk, announced that on 14 August, he resigned his job in protest of the mass beatings of the detained protesters, stating, "I was shocked by what I saw. Our people were humiliated and torn to pieces". Natalya Volvacheva, the headmaster of Polotsk school No. 5, also resigned in protest, saying, "My colleagues have been broken down by threats, turned into criminals, and made hostages of the system". Over 200 Belarusian sportsmen and sportswomen, sports journalists and employees of the sports sphere (Yelena Leuchanka, Nikolai Kozeko, Volha Mazuronak, Maryna Arzamasova, Aliaksandra Ramanouskaya, Stepan Popov, and many others) signed an open letter to Alexander Lukashenko, where, among other things, demanded that the last presidential election be invalidated, all the persons detained during the protests be released, all the political prisoners be released and rehabilitated, and those responsible of the beatings and "bestial abuses" of the detainees be identified and punished. Human Rights Watch noted that most of the protests had been peaceful and described the police round-ups as "systemically brutal." Belarusian central election committee said that Mr. Lukashenko would be inaugurated as president for a new term within the next two months. Lukashenko has ordered the police to quell all protests in Minsk and has tightened border controls, checks have been introduced on people entering the TV station, and all state workers have been told they will lose their jobs if they protest, with workers reportedly being brought in from Russia to replace striking workers. Two pro-Lukashenko rallies were held in Barysaw and Babruysk, both of which also featured police helicopters with the state flag. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was also held in Minsk. Others were held in the towns of Luninets and Staryya Darohi. Most of the staff of Radio Stalitsa of the state-owned National State Television and Radio Company of the Republic of Belarus resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. There currently are no broadcasts on the station except for sports news. A demonstration of hundreds chanting "resign" and "let them out" in the evening outside the Interior Ministry in Minsk was allowed to continue peacefully with no police interference.
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the Coordination Council members under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, member of the council's presidium, Maxim Znak, was summoned for police questioning.
|
|
| 974018141 |
2020-08-20T16:29:22Z |
156232(-3) |
8804(-1) |
357(0) |
Second week |
17 August saw Lukashenko booed and shouted at when he gave a speech at a Minsk wheel tractor plant. He told the audience they would have to kill him to get another election. Meanwhile, a broadcast by the state TV showed empty news desks as TV presenters had walked out on strike. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a video in which she stated that she is ready to lead a transitional government and to organise a new, free and fair presidential election. Lukashenko conceded that an early presidential election could be held if a new constitution is adopted, after it has been drafted and a referendum is held and passed. The Prime Minister of Belarus, Roman Golovchenko, and cabinet resigned on 17 August 2020 in accordance with the constitution following an election.
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17 August saw Lukashenko booed and shouted at when he gave a speech at a Minsk wheel tractor plant. He told the audience they would have to kill him to get another election. Meanwhile, a broadcast by the state TV showed empty news desks as TV presenters had walked out on strike. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a video in which she stated that she is ready to lead a transitional government and organise a new, free and fair presidential election. Lukashenko conceded that an early presidential election could be held if a new constitution is adopted, after it has been drafted and a referendum is held and passed. The Prime Minister of Belarus, Roman Golovchenko, and cabinet resigned on 17 August 2020 in accordance with the constitution following an election.
|
|
| 974018350 |
2020-08-20T16:31:05Z |
156227(-5) |
8803(-1) |
357(0) |
Deaths |
On 19 August, 43-year-old Gennady Shutov died in the Minsk military hospital after he had received a gunshot to his head during the August 11 protests in Brest; reportedly, the shot was fired by the police.
|
On 19 August, 43-year-old Gennady Shutov died in the Minsk military hospital after he had received a gunshot to his head during the August 11 protests in Brest; reportedly, the shot was fired by the police.
|
|
| 974018560 |
2020-08-20T16:32:59Z |
156226(-1) |
8803(0) |
357(0) |
International reactions |
|
|
|
| 974019690 |
2020-08-20T16:42:13Z |
156238(12) |
8801(-2) |
357(0) |
Second week |
Also, on 17 August, Ukraine recalled its ambassador from Minsk and members of the European Parliament issued a joint statement, stating that they did not recognise Alexander Lukashenko as the president of Belarus and considered him a persona non grata in the European Union. The joint statement also proclaimed that reliable information shows that Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya won the election. Pavel Latushko, director of the Janka Kupala National Theatre in Minsk and former minister of culture, who had previously condemned the violence and cautiously supported the protests, was fired by the Belarusian Ministry of Culture. Miners of the Belaruskaly (ru) potash company in Salihorsk went on strike, refusing to go down the mines, and BMZ Steel Works in Zhlobin suspended work of the steel furnaces. BMZ workers announced to start an indefinite strike if their requirements are not met. Thousands of workers of Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ), Minsk Automobile Works (MAZ), Minsk Motor Works (MMZ; ru), Minsk electrotechnical factory (METZ; ru) and other factories marched through the city to the headquarters of the biggest state TV company and other locations. BelAZ workers in Zhodzina were intimidated by the company management, and their protest rally was postponed. A number of other factories suspended work temporarily (warning strike) or organized rallies with political demands (including Naftan (ru) oil refinery and "Polimir" chemical factory in Novapolatsk, glass fiber factory in Polatsk, Grodno-Azot fertilizer factory). It was reported that 76 people disappeared during the protests in Belarus as of 17 August, because they are not on the lists of arrested and convicted. Igor Leshchenya, the Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia who sided with the protesters and the first official to do so, said that he does not think there is a threat of Russian military intervention, stating that it was in the interests of Russia to "to support new free and fair elections". He also said that a new election was inevitable.
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Also, on 17 August, Ukraine recalled its ambassador from Minsk and members of the European Parliament issued a joint statement, stating that they did not recognise Alexander Lukashenko as the president of Belarus and considered him a persona non grata in the European Union. The joint statement also proclaimed that reliable information shows that Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya won the election. Pavel Latushko, director of the Janka Kupala National Theatre in Minsk and former minister of culture, who had previously condemned the violence and cautiously supported the protests, was fired by the Belarusian Ministry of Culture. Miners of the Belaruskaly [ru] potash company in Salihorsk went on strike, refusing to go down the mines, and BMZ Steel Works in Zhlobin suspended work of the steel furnaces. BMZ workers announced to start an indefinite strike if their requirements are not met. Thousands of workers of Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ), Minsk Automobile Works (MAZ), Minsk Motor Works (MMZ; ru), Minsk electrotechnical factory (METZ; ru) and other factories marched through the city to the headquarters of the biggest state TV company and other locations. BelAZ workers in Zhodzina were intimidated by the company management, and their protest rally was postponed. A number of other factories suspended work temporarily (warning strike) or organized rallies with political demands (including Naftan [ru] oil refinery and "Polimir" chemical factory in Novapolatsk, glass fiber factory in Polatsk, Grodno-Azot fertilizer factory). It was reported that 76 people disappeared during the protests in Belarus as of 17 August, because they are not on the lists of arrested and convicted. Igor Leshchenya, the Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia who sided with the protesters and the first official to do so, said that he does not think there is a threat of Russian military intervention, stating that it was in the interests of Russia to "to support new free and fair elections". He also said that a new election was inevitable.
|
|
| 974020962 |
2020-08-20T16:51:06Z |
156242(4) |
8801(0) |
357(0) |
Symbols used by supporters of the opposition |
|
|
|
| 974024773 |
2020-08-20T17:17:23Z |
156202(-40) |
8801(0) |
357(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974024956 |
2020-08-20T17:18:52Z |
156161(-41) |
8801(0) |
357(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974025328 |
2020-08-20T17:21:51Z |
156167(6) |
8801(0) |
357(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974026309 |
2020-08-20T17:28:53Z |
156276(109) |
8801(0) |
357(0) |
Symbols used by supporters of Alexander Lukashenko |
|
|
|
| 974026592 |
2020-08-20T17:31:16Z |
156417(141) |
8801(0) |
357(0) |
Symbols |
|
|
|
| 974026758 |
2020-08-20T17:32:42Z |
156389(-28) |
8801(0) |
357(0) |
Symbols |
|
|
|
| 974026870 |
2020-08-20T17:33:39Z |
156357(-32) |
8801(0) |
357(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974028707 |
2020-08-20T17:49:18Z |
156490(133) |
8813(12) |
358(1) |
Second week |
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the Coordination Council members under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, member of the council's presidium, Maxim Znak, was summoned for police questioning.
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On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the Coordination Council members under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, member of the council's presidium, Maxim Znak, was summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators.
|
|
| 974029375 |
2020-08-20T17:54:36Z |
156815(325) |
8851(38) |
359(1) |
Second week |
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the Coordination Council members under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, member of the council's presidium, Maxim Znak, was summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators.
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On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the Coordination Council members under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, member of the council's presidium, Maxim Znak, was summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally.
|
checked |
| 974030419 |
2020-08-20T18:03:12Z |
157134(319) |
8877(26) |
362(3) |
Second week |
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the Coordination Council members under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, member of the council's presidium, Maxim Znak, was summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally.
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On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the Coordination Council members under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, member of the council's presidium, Maxim Znak, was summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, while military vehicles in Vitebsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally.
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|
| 974030976 |
2020-08-20T18:07:33Z |
157377(243) |
8889(12) |
364(2) |
|
Lukashenko announced a week after the election that NATO forces were "at the gates" and threatening the country (which was denied by NATO), prompting President Putin to offer to send in military assistance, A Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, on 19 August said that there was no need for Russia to help Belarus militarily or otherwise at present. President of the European Council Charles Michel spoke on 19 August about interference in Belarus, ”It’s important for both the EU and Russia to support the democratic process in Belarus. We want to avoid external interference in Belarus.” He added that he had read recent statements from Kremlin that it does not intend to interfere militarily.
At demonstrations purported to be in support of Alexander Lukashenko, flags flown include the current flag of Belarus, the current flag of Russia, the historical flag of the Soviet Union and the St. George Ribbon.
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Lukashenko announced a week after the election that NATO forces were "at the gates" and threatening the country (which was denied by NATO), prompting President Putin to offer to send in military assistance, A Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, on 19 August said that there was no need for Russia to help Belarus militarily or otherwise at present. Belarus and Russia are members of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), a Russia-led military alliance of six former Soviet states, and part of a Belarus–Russia Union State. President of the European Council Charles Michel spoke on 19 August about interference in Belarus, ”It’s important for both the EU and Russia to support the democratic process in Belarus. We want to avoid external interference in Belarus.” He added that he had read recent statements from Kremlin that it does not intend to interfere militarily.
The current state flag of Belarus has been used at demonstrations purported to be in support of Alexander Lukashenko.
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|
| 974031395 |
2020-08-20T18:10:15Z |
157839(462) |
8889(0) |
365(1) |
|
|
|
|
| 974032788 |
2020-08-20T18:18:51Z |
158260(421) |
8889(0) |
365(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974033548 |
2020-08-20T18:23:27Z |
158637(377) |
8925(36) |
367(2) |
Symbols |
The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former Coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic. A common slogan used by the protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus!.
The current state flag of Belarus has been used at demonstrations purported to be in support of Alexander Lukashenko.
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The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former Coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic. A common slogan used by the protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus!. The current state flag of Belarus has been used at demonstrations purported to be in support of Alexander Lukashenko.
The current state flag of Belarus has been used at demonstrations purported to be in support of Alexander Lukashenko. There have also been reports of pro-Lukashenko supporters using the flags of Russia and the Soviet Union.
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|
| 974033665 |
2020-08-20T18:24:10Z |
158644(7) |
8926(1) |
367(0) |
Symbols |
The current state flag of Belarus has been used at demonstrations purported to be in support of Alexander Lukashenko. There have also been reports of pro-Lukashenko supporters using the flags of Russia and the Soviet Union.
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The current state flag of Belarus has been used at demonstrations purported to be in support of Alexander Lukashenko. There have also been reports of pro-Lukashenko supporters using the flags of Russia and the former Soviet Union.
|
|
| 974034696 |
2020-08-20T18:29:45Z |
158602(-42) |
8926(0) |
367(0) |
Symbols |
|
|
|
| 974042832 |
2020-08-20T19:18:36Z |
158606(4) |
8927(1) |
367(0) |
Attacks on journalists and censorship |
During the 2020 Belarusian presidential election, the cases of attacks are increased. On 23 July Lukashenko during a meeting with the leaders of the country's economic bloc, his main concern was that BBC and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty had encouraged riots while streaming protests and threatened to expel media and ban them from reporting on the election.
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During the 2020 Belarusian presidential election, the cases of attacks are increased. On 23 July Lukashenko during a meeting with the leaders of the country's economic bloc, his main concern was that the BBC and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty had encouraged riots while streaming protests and threatened to expel media and ban them from reporting on the election.
|
|
| 974043988 |
2020-08-20T19:25:44Z |
158378(-228) |
8910(-17) |
366(-1) |
|
The current state flag of Belarus has been used at demonstrations purported to be in support of Alexander Lukashenko. There have also been reports of pro-Lukashenko supporters using the flags of Russia and the former Soviet Union.
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The current state flag of Belarus has been used at demonstrations purported to be in support of Alexander Lukashenko.
|
|
| 974044023 |
2020-08-20T19:25:57Z |
158687(309) |
8913(3) |
366(0) |
Second week |
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the Coordination Council members under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, member of the council's presidium, Maxim Znak, was summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, while military vehicles in Vitebsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally.
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On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, council members, Sergey Dylevsky and Maxim Znak, were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, while military vehicles in Vitebsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally.
|
|
| 974053897 |
2020-08-20T20:39:33Z |
158904(217) |
8938(25) |
367(1) |
Second week |
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, council members, Sergey Dylevsky and Maxim Znak, were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, while military vehicles in Vitebsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally.
|
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, council members, Sergey Dylevsky and Maxim Znak, were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, along with another in Kopische, while military vehicles in Vitebsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby.
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|
| 974054726 |
2020-08-20T20:44:53Z |
159217(313) |
8962(24) |
370(3) |
Second week |
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, council members, Sergey Dylevsky and Maxim Znak, were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, along with another in Kopische, while military vehicles in Vitebsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby.
|
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, council members, Sergey Dylevsky and Maxim Znak, were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, along with another in Kopische, while military vehicles in Vitebsk and Minsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby.
|
|
| 974057101 |
2020-08-20T21:01:24Z |
159258(41) |
8962(0) |
370(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974063169 |
2020-08-20T21:45:28Z |
159412(154) |
8971(9) |
371(1) |
Symbols |
The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former Coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic. A common slogan used by the protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus!. The current state flag of Belarus has been used at demonstrations purported to be in support of Alexander Lukashenko.
|
The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former Coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic. A common slogan used by the protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus!. The current state flag of Belarus has been used at demonstrations purported to be in support of Alexander Lukashenko although rarely, pro-democracy supporters also wave the current flag.
|
|
| 974063478 |
2020-08-20T21:47:43Z |
159258(-154) |
8962(-9) |
370(-1) |
|
The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former Coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic. A common slogan used by the protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus!. The current state flag of Belarus has been used at demonstrations purported to be in support of Alexander Lukashenko although rarely, pro-democracy supporters also wave the current flag.
|
The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former Coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic. A common slogan used by the protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus!. The current state flag of Belarus has been used at demonstrations purported to be in support of Alexander Lukashenko.
|
|
| 974063916 |
2020-08-20T21:50:38Z |
159534(276) |
8995(33) |
371(1) |
Second week |
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, council members, Sergey Dylevsky and Maxim Znak, were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, along with another in Kopische, while military vehicles in Vitebsk and Minsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby.
|
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, council members, Sergey Dylevsky and Maxim Znak, were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, along with another in Kopische, while military vehicles in Vitebsk and Minsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby. A pro-government rally was held at a stadium in Slutsk, after which, rally attenders approached a solidarity chain formed by opponents of Lukashenko and attempted to snatch Belarusian opposition flags from the protesters.
|
checked |
| 974073042 |
2020-08-20T23:05:35Z |
159629(95) |
8997(2) |
372(1) |
Second week |
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, council members, Sergey Dylevsky and Maxim Znak, were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, along with another in Kopische, while military vehicles in Vitebsk and Minsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby. A pro-government rally was held at a stadium in Slutsk, after which, rally attenders approached a solidarity chain formed by opponents of Lukashenko and attempted to snatch Belarusian opposition flags from the protesters.
|
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, council members, Sergey Dylevsky and Maxim Znak, were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, along with others in Kopische and Vitebsk, while military vehicles in Vitebsk and Minsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby. A pro-government rally was held at a stadium in Slutsk, after which, rally attenders approached a solidarity chain formed by opponents of Lukashenko and attempted to snatch Belarusian opposition flags from the protesters.
|
|
| 974077505 |
2020-08-20T23:50:04Z |
159733(104) |
8998(1) |
373(1) |
Second week |
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, council members, Sergey Dylevsky and Maxim Znak, were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, along with others in Kopische and Vitebsk, while military vehicles in Vitebsk and Minsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby. A pro-government rally was held at a stadium in Slutsk, after which, rally attenders approached a solidarity chain formed by opponents of Lukashenko and attempted to snatch Belarusian opposition flags from the protesters.
|
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, council members, Sergey Dylevsky and Maxim Znak, were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, along with others in Kopische, Vitebsk, and Pinsk, while military vehicles in Vitebsk and Minsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby. A pro-government rally was held at a stadium in Slutsk, after which, rally attenders approached a solidarity chain formed by opponents of Lukashenko and attempted to snatch Belarusian opposition flags from the protesters.
|
|
| 974079418 |
2020-08-21T00:07:11Z |
159833(100) |
9007(9) |
372(-1) |
Second week |
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, council members, Sergey Dylevsky and Maxim Znak, were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, along with others in Kopische, Vitebsk, and Pinsk, while military vehicles in Vitebsk and Minsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby. A pro-government rally was held at a stadium in Slutsk, after which, rally attenders approached a solidarity chain formed by opponents of Lukashenko and attempted to snatch Belarusian opposition flags from the protesters.
|
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, council members, Sergey Dylevsky and Maxim Znak, were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, along with others in Kopische, Vitebsk, Pinsk, Nyasvizh, Petrikov, Maladzyechna, Lyuban, Marjina Horka, Uzda, Chachersk, Rechytsa, and Svietlahorsk. Military vehicles in Vitebsk and Minsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby. A pro-government rally was held at a stadium in Slutsk, after which, rally attenders approached a solidarity chain formed by opponents of Lukashenko and attempted to snatch Belarusian opposition flags from the protesters.
|
|
| 974079714 |
2020-08-21T00:10:06Z |
159871(38) |
9009(2) |
372(0) |
Second week |
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, council members, Sergey Dylevsky and Maxim Znak, were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, along with others in Kopische, Vitebsk, Pinsk, Nyasvizh, Petrikov, Maladzyechna, Lyuban, Marjina Horka, Uzda, Chachersk, Rechytsa, and Svietlahorsk. Military vehicles in Vitebsk and Minsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby. A pro-government rally was held at a stadium in Slutsk, after which, rally attenders approached a solidarity chain formed by opponents of Lukashenko and attempted to snatch Belarusian opposition flags from the protesters.
|
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, council members, Sergey Dylevsky and Maxim Znak, were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, along with others in Kopische, Vitebsk, Pinsk, Nyasvizh, Buda-Kashalyova, Smalyavichy, Petrikov, Maladzyechna, Lyuban, Marjina Horka, Uzda, Chachersk, Rechytsa, and Svietlahorsk. Military vehicles in Vitebsk and Minsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby. A pro-government rally was held at a stadium in Slutsk, after which, rally attenders approached a solidarity chain formed by opponents of Lukashenko and attempted to snatch Belarusian opposition flags from the protesters.
|
|
| 974079795 |
2020-08-21T00:11:16Z |
159871(0) |
9009(0) |
372(0) |
Second week |
|
|
|
| 974108026 |
2020-08-21T04:24:04Z |
163009(3138) |
9009(0) |
372(0) |
Second week |
|
|
|
| 974113718 |
2020-08-21T05:16:15Z |
163009(0) |
9009(0) |
372(0) |
|
On 14 August, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya claimed that she had won the presidential election with 60–70% of the vote and announced the creation of the coordination council, with membership applications open to all Belarusians agreeing that the election had been falsified and showing evidence of social leadership and respect.
|
On 14 August, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya claimed that she had won the presidential election with 60–70% of the vote and announced the creation of the Coordination Council, with membership applications open to all Belarusians agreeing that the election had been falsified and showing evidence of social leadership and respect.
|
|
| 974136337 |
2020-08-21T08:15:36Z |
162909(-100) |
9009(0) |
372(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974137655 |
2020-08-21T08:27:47Z |
163254(345) |
9017(8) |
373(1) |
Deaths |
29-year-old Konstantin Shishmakov, director of the Volkovysk Military History Museum named after Bagration, disappeared on August 15. He refused to sign the protocol of the election commission, called his wife at about 5 pm and said: "I will not work here anymore, I am going home." But he never came home. Later he was found dead. This was announced by the search and rescue squad "Angel".
|
29-year-old Konstantin Shishmakov (Belarussian: Kanstantsin Shyshmakou), director of the Bagration Military History Museum in Vawkavysk, disappeared on August 15. As a member of election commission, he refused to sign the protocols, called his wife at about 5 pm and said: "I will not work here anymore, I am going home." But he never came home. Later he was found dead in a river. This was announced by the search and rescue squad "Angel".
|
|
| 974155458 |
2020-08-21T11:05:36Z |
162867(-387) |
8999(-18) |
372(-1) |
Symbols |
The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former Coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic. A common slogan used by the protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus!. The current state flag of Belarus has been used at demonstrations purported to be in support of Alexander Lukashenko.
|
The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former Coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic. A common slogan used by the protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus!.
|
|
| 974158256 |
2020-08-21T11:30:35Z |
162851(-16) |
8998(-1) |
372(0) |
Coordination Council |
On 14 August, in a video in which Tsikhanouskaya claimed that she had won the presidential election with 60–70% of the vote, she announced the creation of a Coordination council to facilitate the peaceful transfer of power in Belarus.
|
On 14 August, in a video in which Tsikhanouskaya claimed that she had received between 60 and 70% of the vote, she announced the creation of a Coordination council to facilitate the peaceful transfer of power in Belarus.
|
|
| 974158378 |
2020-08-21T11:31:35Z |
162835(-16) |
8997(-1) |
372(0) |
|
On 14 August, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya claimed that she had won the presidential election with 60–70% of the vote and announced the creation of the Coordination Council, with membership applications open to all Belarusians agreeing that the election had been falsified and showing evidence of social leadership and respect.
|
On 14 August, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya claimed that she had received between 60 and 70% of the vote and announced the creation of the Coordination Council, with membership applications open to all Belarusians agreeing that the election had been falsified and showing evidence of social leadership and respect.
|
|
| 974159923 |
2020-08-21T11:46:44Z |
163025(190) |
9017(20) |
373(1) |
Second week |
|
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus
|
|
| 974160249 |
2020-08-21T11:50:12Z |
163026(1) |
9017(0) |
373(0) |
Second week |
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus
|
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus.
|
|
| 974160703 |
2020-08-21T11:54:19Z |
163258(232) |
9034(17) |
374(1) |
Second week |
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus.
|
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society.
|
|
| 974162970 |
2020-08-21T12:13:30Z |
163391(133) |
9045(11) |
375(1) |
Second week |
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society.
|
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media.
|
|
| 974164126 |
2020-08-21T12:21:43Z |
163548(157) |
9074(29) |
375(0) |
Second week |
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media.
|
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and independence of Belarus.
|
|
| 974164566 |
2020-08-21T12:24:38Z |
163806(258) |
9082(8) |
376(1) |
Second week |
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, council members, Sergey Dylevsky and Maxim Znak, were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, along with others in Kopische, Vitebsk, Pinsk, Nyasvizh, Buda-Kashalyova, Smalyavichy, Petrikov, Maladzyechna, Lyuban, Marjina Horka, Uzda, Chachersk, Rechytsa, and Svietlahorsk. Military vehicles in Vitebsk and Minsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby. A pro-government rally was held at a stadium in Slutsk, after which, rally attenders approached a solidarity chain formed by opponents of Lukashenko and attempted to snatch Belarusian opposition flags from the protesters.
|
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, council members, Sergey Dylevsky and Maxim Znak, were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. Lukashenko has called some of the protesters "Nazis". A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, along with others in Kopische, Vitebsk, Pinsk, Nyasvizh, Buda-Kashalyova, Smalyavichy, Petrikov, Maladzyechna, Lyuban, Marjina Horka, Uzda, Chachersk, Rechytsa, and Svietlahorsk. Military vehicles in Vitebsk and Minsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby. A pro-government rally was held at a stadium in Slutsk, after which, rally attenders approached a solidarity chain formed by opponents of Lukashenko and attempted to snatch Belarusian opposition flags from the protesters.
|
|
| 974164714 |
2020-08-21T12:25:37Z |
163956(150) |
9101(19) |
377(1) |
Second week |
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and independence of Belarus.
|
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and independence of Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also said "It's time to unite" and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation".
|
|
| 974166741 |
2020-08-21T12:40:22Z |
164636(680) |
9167(66) |
379(2) |
Coordination Council |
Lukashenko decried the creation of the council as an 'attempt to seize power' and promised "appropriate measures".
|
Lukashenko decried the creation of the council as an 'attempt to seize power' and promised "appropriate measures". On 20 August the chief prosecutor launched a criminal case against the council, calling it unconstitutional.
Mike Pompeo the United States Secretary of State in a statement urged the Belarusian government to actively engage Belarusian society, including through the newly established National Coordination Council, in a way that reflects what the Belarusian people are demanding, for the sake of Belarus’ future, and for a successful Belarus.
|
|
| 974166917 |
2020-08-21T12:41:41Z |
164650(14) |
9167(0) |
379(0) |
Coordination Council |
|
|
|
| 974168264 |
2020-08-21T12:50:39Z |
164939(289) |
9021(-146) |
378(-1) |
Human rights issues |
According to Maxim Solopov, special correspondent of Meduza, who was detained during the 10 August protest and spent two days in the Okrestina detention center, the detainees were ordered to kneel with their hands behind their heads and put their heads on the ground; then, they were continuously beaten by the staff for hours before being put into the cells. The male detainees were ordered to completely undress while laying on the ground, and, on several occasions, loud explosions were heard by Solopov; he believed these could have been detonations of flash-bang grenades. According to Solopov, the tile floor in the detention center was completely covered with blood, and screams of the beaten detainees could be heard during all his stay there. Solopov also reported that the cell where he and other detainees stayed (45 people in total) had an area of approximately 8 square meters and lacked proper ventilation. On one occasion, 35 female detainees from the cell next to Solopov's, after they screamed to the staff they were suffocating, had dirty water (left from washing the floor) poured over them and threatened that feces would be thrown over them if the screaming did not stop.
|
Mike Pompeo, United States Secretary of State in a 20 August statement said the USA support international efforts to independently look into Belarus’ electoral irregularities, the human rights abuses surrounding the election, and the crackdown that has followed.Cite error: A tag is missing the closing (see the help page).
|
|
| 974168327 |
2020-08-21T12:51:02Z |
164940(1) |
9204(183) |
380(2) |
Human rights issues |
Mike Pompeo, United States Secretary of State in a 20 August statement said the USA support international efforts to independently look into Belarus’ electoral irregularities, the human rights abuses surrounding the election, and the crackdown that has followed.Cite error: A tag is missing the closing (see the help page).
|
Mike Pompeo, United States Secretary of State in a 20 August statement said the USA support international efforts to independently look into Belarus’ electoral irregularities, the human rights abuses surrounding the election, and the crackdown that has followed.
According to Maxim Solopov, special correspondent of Meduza, who was detained during the 10 August protest and spent two days in the Okrestina detention center, the detainees were ordered to kneel with their hands behind their heads and put their heads on the ground; then, they were continuously beaten by the staff for hours before being put into the cells. The male detainees were ordered to completely undress while laying on the ground, and, on several occasions, loud explosions were heard by Solopov; he believed these could have been detonations of flash-bang grenades. According to Solopov, the tile floor in the detention center was completely covered with blood, and screams of the beaten detainees could be heard during all his stay there. Solopov also reported that the cell where he and other detainees stayed (45 people in total) had an area of approximately 8 square meters and lacked proper ventilation. On one occasion, 35 female detainees from the cell next to Solopov's, after they screamed to the staff they were suffocating, had dirty water (left from washing the floor) poured over them and threatened that feces would be thrown over them if the screaming did not stop.
|
|
| 974168836 |
2020-08-21T12:54:55Z |
164989(49) |
9210(6) |
380(0) |
Second week |
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and independence of Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also said "It's time to unite" and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation".
|
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and independence of Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also said "It's time to unite" and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation".
|
|
| 974170229 |
2020-08-21T13:05:12Z |
165261(272) |
9211(1) |
381(1) |
Second week |
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and independence of Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also said "It's time to unite" and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation".
|
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and independence of Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also said "It's time to unite" and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation".
|
|
| 974171437 |
2020-08-21T13:14:29Z |
165680(419) |
9260(49) |
382(1) |
Second week |
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and independence of Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also said "It's time to unite" and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation".
|
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and independence of Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also said "It's time to unite" and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal".
|
|
| 974171662 |
2020-08-21T13:16:24Z |
165736(56) |
9260(0) |
383(1) |
Second week |
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and independence of Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also said "It's time to unite" and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal".
|
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and independence of Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also said "It's time to unite" and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal".
|
|
| 974172185 |
2020-08-21T13:20:53Z |
166484(748) |
9344(84) |
384(1) |
Attacks on journalists and censorship |
One of the few communication systems that managed to avoid censorship is the independent Belarusian-owned NEXTA [ru] Telegram channel based in Warsaw. The channel's subscribers rose from 100,000 on election night to over a million after a day. The channel publishes user-generated videos, photos, and comments of the protests. The founder of NEXTA himself is facing up to 15 years of prison after being indicted by the regime.
|
One of the few communication systems that managed to avoid censorship is the independent Belarusian-owned NEXTA [ru] Telegram channel based in Warsaw. The channel's subscribers rose from 100,000 on election night to over a million after a day. The channel publishes user-generated videos, photos, and comments of the protests. The founder of NEXTA himself is facing up to 15 years of prison after being indicted by the regime. The use of Telegram software is helping the protestors by providing much needed communications. NEXTA Live’s audience shot to over 2 million. Its sister channel NEXTA has more than 700,000 followers. Belarus of the Brain’s is now over 470,000. Officials opened a criminal probe into NEXTA which has continued to operate despite the arrest of its founder Stepan Putilo, on charges of fomenting mass riots, Igor Losik, who founded Belarus of the Brain, was arrested before the election, but the channel also continues to operate.
|
|
| 974173209 |
2020-08-21T13:29:25Z |
166932(448) |
9379(35) |
385(1) |
Second week |
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and independence of Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also said "It's time to unite" and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal".
|
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and independence of Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also said "It's time to unite" and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". Current chairperson, Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation.
|
|
| 974173566 |
2020-08-21T13:31:44Z |
166935(3) |
9380(1) |
385(0) |
Second week |
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and independence of Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also said "It's time to unite" and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". Current chairperson, Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation.
|
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and independence of Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also said "It's time to unite" and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation.
|
|
| 974173667 |
2020-08-21T13:32:22Z |
166924(-11) |
9378(-2) |
385(0) |
Coordination Council |
Mike Pompeo the United States Secretary of State in a statement urged the Belarusian government to actively engage Belarusian society, including through the newly established National Coordination Council, in a way that reflects what the Belarusian people are demanding, for the sake of Belarus’ future, and for a successful Belarus.
|
United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, in a statement urged the Belarusian government to actively engage Belarusian society, including through the newly established Coordination Council, in a way that reflects what the Belarusian people are demanding, for the sake of Belarus’ future, and for a successful Belarus.
|
|
| 974179641 |
2020-08-21T14:15:17Z |
167886(962) |
9488(110) |
386(1) |
Human rights issues |
|
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a statement on 21 August expressed concern for the hundred or so protestors still detained, the 60 accused of criminal acts which could result in long term sentences and the eight people still missing, allegations also continue to emerge of large-scale torture and ill-treatment of people including of journalists and particularly alarmingly of children, during arrests and in detention, the UN is disturbed that reportedly no action has to date been taken to investigate these reports, with a view to bringing those responsible to justice including those surrounding the deaths of four people as a result of injuries they sustained during the protests.
|
|
| 974180036 |
2020-08-21T14:17:41Z |
168087(201) |
9517(29) |
387(1) |
Deaths |
|
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stated on 21 August that four people have died as a result of injuries they sustained during the protests.
|
|
| 974182974 |
2020-08-21T14:36:58Z |
168423(336) |
9547(30) |
387(0) |
Second week |
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and independence of Belarus. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also said "It's time to unite" and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation.
|
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to the Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation.
|
|
| 974186456 |
2020-08-21T15:02:05Z |
168424(1) |
9546(-1) |
387(0) |
Attacks on journalists and censorship |
One of the few communication systems that managed to avoid censorship is the independent Belarusian-owned NEXTA [ru] Telegram channel based in Warsaw. The channel's subscribers rose from 100,000 on election night to over a million after a day. The channel publishes user-generated videos, photos, and comments of the protests. The founder of NEXTA himself is facing up to 15 years of prison after being indicted by the regime. The use of Telegram software is helping the protestors by providing much needed communications. NEXTA Live’s audience shot to over 2 million. Its sister channel NEXTA has more than 700,000 followers. Belarus of the Brain’s is now over 470,000. Officials opened a criminal probe into NEXTA which has continued to operate despite the arrest of its founder Stepan Putilo, on charges of fomenting mass riots, Igor Losik, who founded Belarus of the Brain, was arrested before the election, but the channel also continues to operate.
|
One of the few communication systems that managed to avoid censorship is the independent Belarusian-owned NEXTA [ru] Telegram channel based in Warsaw. The channel's subscribers rose from 100,000 on election night to over a million after a day. The channel publishes user-generated videos, photos, and comments of the protests. The founder of NEXTA himself is facing up to 15 years of prison after being indicted by the regime. The use of Telegram software is helping the protestors by providing much needed communications. NEXTA Live's audience shot to over 2 million. Its sister channel NEXTA has more than 700,000 followers. Belarus of the Brain's is now over 470,000. Officials opened a criminal probe into NEXTA which has continued to operate despite the arrest of its founder Stepan Putilo, on charges of fomenting mass riots, Igor Losik, who founded Belarus of the Brain, was arrested before the election, but the channel also continues to operate.
|
|
| 974198085 |
2020-08-21T16:28:12Z |
168420(-4) |
9546(0) |
387(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974201789 |
2020-08-21T16:55:40Z |
168563(143) |
9562(16) |
388(1) |
Second week |
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to the Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation.
|
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to the Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Homel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag.
|
|
| 974209803 |
2020-08-21T17:51:14Z |
168701(138) |
9579(17) |
389(1) |
Second week |
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to the Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Homel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag.
|
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to the Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A column of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Lenin Square in Minsk.
|
|
| 974215481 |
2020-08-21T18:35:31Z |
168713(12) |
9579(0) |
389(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974218436 |
2020-08-21T18:58:34Z |
168402(-311) |
9530(-49) |
389(0) |
|
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a statement on 21 August expressed concern for the hundred or so protestors still detained, the 60 accused of criminal acts which could result in long term sentences and the eight people still missing, allegations also continue to emerge of large-scale torture and ill-treatment of people including of journalists and particularly alarmingly of children, during arrests and in detention, the UN is disturbed that reportedly no action has to date been taken to investigate these reports, with a view to bringing those responsible to justice including those surrounding the deaths of four people as a result of injuries they sustained during the protests.
|
In a 21 August statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, it was noted that, despite the majority of the detainees being released, serious concerns about the missing protestors and the ones accused of criminal acts were still there. The statement underlined the lack of information about the detainees' status and called for immediate release of the unlawfully detained persons.
|
|
| 974220385 |
2020-08-21T19:13:56Z |
168926(524) |
9577(47) |
390(1) |
Attacks on journalists and censorship |
|
It was reported that on 18 June reporters from various countries, arriving in Minsk airport, were pulled out of passport control, interrogated and locked up before being refused entry and being told to buy a plane ticket to some other country, in an attempt to suppress the media.
|
|
| 974229630 |
2020-08-21T20:20:51Z |
168930(4) |
9577(0) |
390(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974236795 |
2020-08-21T21:13:13Z |
169123(193) |
9603(26) |
390(0) |
Human rights issues |
In a 21 August statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, it was noted that, despite the majority of the detainees being released, serious concerns about the missing protestors and the ones accused of criminal acts were still there. The statement underlined the lack of information about the detainees' status and called for immediate release of the unlawfully detained persons.
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In a 21 August statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, it was noted that, despite the majority of the detainees being released, serious concerns about the eight missing protestors and the sixty accused of serious criminal acts, the statement underlined the lack of information about the detainees' status and called for the government to stop unlawfully detaining people. The Commissioner also confirmed that there had been four deaths and were greatly concerned about allegations of large-scale torture and ill-treatment of people, including journalists and children.
|
|
| 974238064 |
2020-08-21T21:22:43Z |
169129(6) |
9604(1) |
390(0) |
Second week |
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to the Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A column of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Lenin Square in Minsk.
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On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to the Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A small number of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Lenin Square in Minsk.
|
|
| 974239241 |
2020-08-21T21:32:27Z |
169483(354) |
9624(20) |
391(1) |
Second week |
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, council members, Sergey Dylevsky and Maxim Znak, were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. Lukashenko has called some of the protesters "Nazis". A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, along with others in Kopische, Vitebsk, Pinsk, Nyasvizh, Buda-Kashalyova, Smalyavichy, Petrikov, Maladzyechna, Lyuban, Marjina Horka, Uzda, Chachersk, Rechytsa, and Svietlahorsk. Military vehicles in Vitebsk and Minsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby. A pro-government rally was held at a stadium in Slutsk, after which, rally attenders approached a solidarity chain formed by opponents of Lukashenko and attempted to snatch Belarusian opposition flags from the protesters.
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On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, council members, Sergey Dylevsky and Maxim Znak, were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. Lukashenko has called some of the protesters "Nazis". A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, along with others in Kopische, Vitebsk, Pinsk, Nyasvizh, Buda-Kashalyova, Smalyavichy, Petrikov, Maladzyechna, Lyuban, Marjina Horka, Uzda, Chachersk, Rechytsa, and Svietlahorsk. Military vehicles in Vitebsk and Minsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. Traffic in Minsk was halted by a drivers strike honking their horns and abandoning their vehicles in support of protestors. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby. A pro-government rally was held at a stadium in Slutsk, after which, rally attenders approached a solidarity chain formed by opponents of Lukashenko and attempted to snatch Belarusian opposition flags from the protesters.
|
|
| 974239905 |
2020-08-21T21:37:46Z |
168793(-690) |
9612(-12) |
389(-2) |
|
At the outset of the protests, Alexander Lukashenko has been the head of state of Belarus since 1994, a 26-year tenure that is the longest in the former Soviet Union. He has been called Europe's "last dictator", having not had a serious challenger in the previous five elections. Under his authoritarian rule, the government has frequently oppressed the opposition.
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At the outset of the protests, Alexander Lukashenko has been the head of state of Belarus since 1994. He has been called Europe's "last dictator", having not had a serious challenger in the previous five elections. Under his authoritarian rule, the government has frequently oppressed the opposition.
|
|
| 974242073 |
2020-08-21T21:53:22Z |
169170(377) |
9640(28) |
390(1) |
Accounts of witnesses and victims |
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Sergei Dylevsky a steel worker at the Minsk Tractor Works helped take protestors released from detention to hospital, one had lost an eye after being beaten at the facility.
|
|
| 974242190 |
2020-08-21T21:54:28Z |
169171(1) |
9640(0) |
390(0) |
|
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to the Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A small number of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Lenin Square in Minsk.
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On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to the Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A small number of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Lenin Square in Minsk.
|
|
| 974253791 |
2020-08-21T23:31:23Z |
169730(559) |
9640(0) |
390(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974254786 |
2020-08-21T23:42:29Z |
169737(7) |
9641(1) |
390(0) |
Election day |
In the evening of the election day immediately after the close of polling stations, the Belarusian government-sponsored TV aired exit poll results showing a supposed landslide in which Lukashenko got 80.23% of the votes, while Tsikhanouskaya received only 9.9%. The landslide was so great that even the pro-government part of the Belarusian population found that it was unlikely to be true. This caused an immediate reaction by supporters of Tsikhanouskaya to head to the streets in all major cities in Belarus, such as Brest, Minsk, Vitebsk, Grodno, Mazyr, Pinsk, Gomel, and Babruysk. People were doing so to express their dissatisfaction and were calling for a fair count of votes. This started as peaceful protests in the middle of the night, but in Minsk, the situation turned into a fight between some people and the authorities. People started building barricades to block the traffic on the streets. It was hard to estimate the number of protesters in Minsk because the protesters were not concentrated in a spot.
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In the evening of the election day immediately after the close of polling stations, the Belarusian government-sponsored TV aired exit poll results showing a supposed landslide in which Lukashenko got 80.23% of the votes, while Tsikhanouskaya received only 9.9%. The landslide was so great that even the pro-government part of the Belarusian population found that it was unlikely to be true. This caused an immediate reaction by supporters of Tsikhanouskaya to head to the streets in all major cities in Belarus, such as Brest, Minsk, Vitebsk, Grodno, Mazyr, Pinsk, Gomel, and Babruysk. People were doing so to express their dissatisfaction and were calling for a fair count of votes. This started as peaceful protests in the middle of the night, but in Minsk, the situation turned into a fight between some people and the authorities. People started building barricades to block the traffic on the streets. It was hard to estimate the number of protesters in Minsk because the protesters were not concentrated in a single spot.
|
|
| 974258183 |
2020-08-22T00:13:02Z |
169695(-42) |
9633(-8) |
390(0) |
Second week |
On 20 August, it was reported that Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, had initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Consequentially, council members, Sergey Dylevsky and Maxim Znak, were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. Lukashenko has called some of the protesters "Nazis". A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, along with others in Kopische, Vitebsk, Pinsk, Nyasvizh, Buda-Kashalyova, Smalyavichy, Petrikov, Maladzyechna, Lyuban, Marjina Horka, Uzda, Chachersk, Rechytsa, and Svietlahorsk. Military vehicles in Vitebsk and Minsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. Traffic in Minsk was halted by a drivers strike honking their horns and abandoning their vehicles in support of protestors. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby. A pro-government rally was held at a stadium in Slutsk, after which, rally attenders approached a solidarity chain formed by opponents of Lukashenko and attempted to snatch Belarusian opposition flags from the protesters.
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On 20 August, Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Council members Sergei Dylevsky and Maxim Znak were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. Lukashenko has called some of the protesters "Nazis". A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, along with others in Kopische, Vitebsk, Pinsk, Nyasvizh, Buda-Kashalyova, Smalyavichy, Petrikov, Maladzyechna, Lyuban, Marjina Horka, Uzda, Chachersk, Rechytsa, and Svietlahorsk. Military vehicles in Vitebsk and Minsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. Traffic in Minsk was halted by a drivers strike honking their horns and abandoning their vehicles in support of protestors. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby. A pro-government rally was held at a stadium in Slutsk, after which, rally attenders approached a solidarity chain formed by opponents of Lukashenko and attempted to snatch Belarusian opposition flags from the protesters.
|
|
| 974265776 |
2020-08-22T01:31:45Z |
169894(199) |
9643(10) |
391(1) |
Second week |
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to the Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A small number of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Lenin Square in Minsk.
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On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to the Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A small number of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Lenin Square in Minsk. Rallies supporting Lukashenko were also held in Orsha and Brest.
|
|
| 974265836 |
2020-08-22T01:32:32Z |
169909(15) |
9643(0) |
391(0) |
Second week |
|
|
|
| 974266372 |
2020-08-22T01:38:26Z |
169965(56) |
9654(11) |
391(0) |
First week |
On 11 August, the protests resumed in Minsk and other major cities. Rubber bullets and flashbangs were widely used. The Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that it used live ammunition against protesters in Brest. No deaths were reported, although one man is in critical condition and has severe brain damage (as of 14 August).
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On 11 August, the protests resumed in Minsk and other major cities. Rubber bullets and flashbangs were widely used. The Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that it used live ammunition against protesters in Brest. One death was reported, as one man, Gennady Shutov, in critical condition and with severe brain damage as of 14 August , succumbed to his injuries on 19 August in Minsk.
|
|
| 974270432 |
2020-08-22T02:12:20Z |
171258(1293) |
9667(13) |
402(11) |
Second week |
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to the Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A small number of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Lenin Square in Minsk. Rallies supporting Lukashenko were also held in Orsha and Brest.
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On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to the Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A small number of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Lenin Square in Minsk. Rallies supporting Lukashenko were also held in Orsha, Brest, Yelsk, Polotsk, Novopolotsk, Brahin, Dobrush, Zhodzina, Sharkovshchina, Khoyniki, Shchuchyn, Hantsavichi, Lelchytsky, Rahachow, and Naroviya.
|
|
| 974270815 |
2020-08-22T02:14:54Z |
170881(-377) |
9639(-28) |
401(-1) |
|
Sergei Dylevsky a steel worker at the Minsk Tractor Works helped take protestors released from detention to hospital, one had lost an eye after being beaten at the facility.
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|
|
| 974293494 |
2020-08-22T05:06:02Z |
171339(458) |
9679(40) |
402(1) |
Accounts of witnesses and victims |
|
Sergei Dylevsky a steel worker at the Minsk Tractor Works helped take protestors released from detention to hospital, one had lost an eye after being beaten at the facility, this evidence sickened Dylevsky and led to his joining the coordination council.
|
|
| 974297591 |
2020-08-22T05:42:04Z |
171386(47) |
9679(0) |
402(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974305973 |
2020-08-22T07:08:18Z |
171390(4) |
9680(1) |
402(0) |
Support for victims of repression |
The Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced on 14 August an €11 million fund to help protesters get visas and settle in Poland. Poland would provide support Belarusian independent media and non-governmental organisations and scholarships would also be available to Belarusian students in Poland. Lithuania offered medical assistance to injured protesters.
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The Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced on 14 August an €11 million fund to help protesters get visas and settle in Poland. Poland would provide support for Belarusian independent media and non-governmental organisations and scholarships would also be available to Belarusian students in Poland. Lithuania offered medical assistance to injured protesters.
|
|
| 974306892 |
2020-08-22T07:20:47Z |
172284(894) |
9728(48) |
405(3) |
Attacks on journalists and censorship |
|
On 21 August, 72 or 73 web sites were blocked in Belarus, including several independent news portals (Radio Liberty/Free Europe in Belarus svaboda.org, by.tribuna.com sport news, euroradio.fm, belsat.eu, gazetaby.com, the-village.me/news and others), electoral sites of Tsepkalo and Babaryko, "Golos" and "Zubr" platforms, spring96.org human rights portal, several VPN services.
|
|
| 974307603 |
2020-08-22T07:27:39Z |
172665(381) |
9728(0) |
406(1) |
Second week |
|
|
|
| 974326997 |
2020-08-22T10:21:15Z |
172665(0) |
9728(0) |
406(0) |
Coordination Council Deaths |
On 14 August, in a video in which Tsikhanouskaya claimed that she had received between 60 and 70% of the vote, she announced the creation of a Coordination council to facilitate the peaceful transfer of power in Belarus.
On 10 August, a protester, Alexander Taraikovsky, died near Pushkinskaya metro station. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the protester tried to throw an explosive device at the government troopers and it exploded in his arms. However, some doubts in the circumstances of the death of the 34-year-old man were expressed. It was reported that a massive blood loss due to an open chest wound was recorded in a death certificate. A video was published on 15 August that shows the protester empty handed and getting shot by the policemen. On 15 August, the Associated Press published a single frame from a video made on 10 August. It showed a man in a white shirt that looks similar to Taraikovsky and is staggering unsteadily with a big red spot on his chest (presumably blood). No further commentary from the Ministry of Internal affairs followed, however, according to the Belarusian Investigative Committee, as of 15 August 2020, the circumstances of the Taraikovsky's death were under investigation. Elena German, the wife of Taraikovsky, saw the body in the morgue and reported that there were no injuries to his hands, but there was a small hole in his chest, consistent with a bullet hole. On 15 August, thousands of people gathered at the funeral in Minsk.
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On 14 August, in a video in which Tsikhanouskaya claimed that she had received between 60 and 70% of the vote, she announced the creation of a Coordination Council to facilitate the peaceful transfer of power in Belarus.
On 10 August, a protester, Alexander Taraikovsky, died near Pushkinskaya metro station. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the protester tried to throw an explosive device at the government troopers and it exploded in his arms. However, some doubts in the circumstances of the death of the 34-year-old man were expressed. It was reported that a massive blood loss due to an open chest wound was recorded in a death certificate. A video was published on 15 August that shows the protester empty handed and getting shot by the policemen. On 15 August, the Associated Press published a single frame from a video made on 10 August. It showed a man in a white shirt that looks similar to Taraikovsky and is staggering unsteadily with a big red spot on his chest (presumably blood). No further commentary from the Ministry of Internal Affairs followed, however, according to the Belarusian Investigative Committee, as of 15 August 2020, the circumstances of the Taraikovsky's death were under investigation. Elena German, the wife of Taraikovsky, saw the body in the morgue and reported that there were no injuries to his hands, but there was a small hole in his chest, consistent with a bullet hole. On 15 August, thousands of people gathered at the funeral in Minsk.
|
|
| 974328323 |
2020-08-22T10:34:11Z |
173899(1234) |
9758(30) |
406(0) |
Second week |
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"Митинг в поддержку сильной и процветающей Беларуси прошел в Ельске — Ельск. Погода в Ельске. Новости Ельска. Народный голас. Районная газета. Гомельская область Ельск". www.yelsk.by (in Belarusian). Retrieved 22 August 2020..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background-image:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png");background-image:linear-gradient(transparent,transparent),url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:9px;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background-image:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png");background-image:linear-gradient(transparent,transparent),url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:9px;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background-image:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png");background-image:linear-gradient(transparent,transparent),url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:9px;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-image:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/12px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png");background-image:linear-gradient(transparent,transparent),url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:12px;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#33aa33;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}
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| 974329129 |
2020-08-22T10:43:21Z |
174716(817) |
9758(0) |
407(1) |
Second week |
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| 974331481 |
2020-08-22T11:04:50Z |
175291(575) |
9758(0) |
407(0) |
Second week |
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| 974332156 |
2020-08-22T11:12:14Z |
176021(730) |
9758(0) |
407(0) |
Second week |
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| 974332688 |
2020-08-22T11:17:35Z |
176774(753) |
9758(0) |
407(0) |
Second week |
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| 974333218 |
2020-08-22T11:21:55Z |
169922(-6852) |
9689(-69) |
388(-19) |
Second week |
On 20 August, Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Council members Sergei Dylevsky and Maxim Znak were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. Lukashenko has called some of the protesters "Nazis". A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, along with others in Kopische, Vitebsk, Pinsk, Nyasvizh, Buda-Kashalyova, Smalyavichy, Petrikov, Maladzyechna, Lyuban, Marjina Horka, Uzda, Chachersk, Rechytsa, and Svietlahorsk. Military vehicles in Vitebsk and Minsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. Traffic in Minsk was halted by a drivers strike honking their horns and abandoning their vehicles in support of protestors. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby. A pro-government rally was held at a stadium in Slutsk, after which, rally attenders approached a solidarity chain formed by opponents of Lukashenko and attempted to snatch Belarusian opposition flags from the protesters.
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to the Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A small number of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Lenin Square in Minsk. Rallies supporting Lukashenko were also held in Orsha, Brest, Yelsk, Polotsk, Novopolotsk, Brahin, Dobrush, Zhodzina, Sharkovshchina, Khoyniki, Shchuchyn, Hantsavichi, Lelchytsky, Rahachow, and Naroviya.
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On 20 August, Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Council members Sergei Dylevsky and Maxim Znak were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. Lukashenko has called some of the protesters "Nazis". Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. Traffic in Minsk was halted by a drivers strike honking their horns and abandoning their vehicles in support of protestors. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby. A pro-government rally was held at a stadium in Slutsk, after which, rally attenders approached a solidarity chain formed by opponents of Lukashenko and attempted to snatch Belarusian opposition flags from the protesters.
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to the Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A small number of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Lenin Square in Minsk.
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|
| 974333315 |
2020-08-22T11:22:50Z |
169376(-546) |
9659(-30) |
388(0) |
|
"Митинг в поддержку сильной и процветающей Беларуси прошел в Ельске — Ельск. Погода в Ельске. Новости Ельска. Народный голас. Районная газета. Гомельская область Ельск". www.yelsk.by (in Belarusian). Retrieved 22 August 2020..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background-image:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png");background-image:linear-gradient(transparent,transparent),url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:9px;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background-image:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png");background-image:linear-gradient(transparent,transparent),url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:9px;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background-image:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png");background-image:linear-gradient(transparent,transparent),url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:9px;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-image:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/12px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png");background-image:linear-gradient(transparent,transparent),url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:12px;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#33aa33;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}
|
|
|
| 974333999 |
2020-08-22T11:29:52Z |
176892(7516) |
9728(69) |
407(19) |
Second week |
On 20 August, Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Council members Sergei Dylevsky and Maxim Znak were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. Lukashenko has called some of the protesters "Nazis". Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. Traffic in Minsk was halted by a drivers strike honking their horns and abandoning their vehicles in support of protestors. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby. A pro-government rally was held at a stadium in Slutsk, after which, rally attenders approached a solidarity chain formed by opponents of Lukashenko and attempted to snatch Belarusian opposition flags from the protesters.
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to the Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A small number of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Lenin Square in Minsk.
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On 20 August, Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Council members Sergei Dylevsky and Maxim Znak were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. Lukashenko has called some of the protesters "Nazis". A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, along with others in Kopische, Vitebsk, Pinsk, Nyasvizh, Buda-Kashalyova, Smalyavichy, Petrikov, Maladzyechna, Lyuban, Marjina Horka, Uzda, Chachersk, Rechytsa, and Svietlahorsk. Military vehicles in Vitebsk and Minsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. Traffic in Minsk was halted by a drivers strike honking their horns and abandoning their vehicles in support of protestors. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby. A pro-government rally was held at a stadium in Slutsk, after which, rally attenders approached a solidarity chain formed by opponents of Lukashenko and attempted to snatch Belarusian opposition flags from the protesters.
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to the Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A small number of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Lenin Square in Minsk. Rallies supporting Lukashenko were also held in Orsha, Brest, Yelsk, Polotsk, Novopolotsk, Brahin, Dobrush, Zhodzina, Sharkovshchina, Khoyniki, Shchuchyn, Hantsavichi, Lelchytsky, Rahachow, and Naroviya.
|
|
| 974334350 |
2020-08-22T11:33:44Z |
169375(-7517) |
9659(-69) |
388(-19) |
Second week |
On 20 August, Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Council members Sergei Dylevsky and Maxim Znak were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. Lukashenko has called some of the protesters "Nazis". A second pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Gomel, along with others in Kopische, Vitebsk, Pinsk, Nyasvizh, Buda-Kashalyova, Smalyavichy, Petrikov, Maladzyechna, Lyuban, Marjina Horka, Uzda, Chachersk, Rechytsa, and Svietlahorsk. Military vehicles in Vitebsk and Minsk and a tractor in Pinsk could be seen waving the state flag. Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. Traffic in Minsk was halted by a drivers strike honking their horns and abandoning their vehicles in support of protestors. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby. A pro-government rally was held at a stadium in Slutsk, after which, rally attenders approached a solidarity chain formed by opponents of Lukashenko and attempted to snatch Belarusian opposition flags from the protesters.
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to the Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A small number of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Lenin Square in Minsk. Rallies supporting Lukashenko were also held in Orsha, Brest, Yelsk, Polotsk, Novopolotsk, Brahin, Dobrush, Zhodzina, Sharkovshchina, Khoyniki, Shchuchyn, Hantsavichi, Lelchytsky, Rahachow, and Naroviya.
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On 20 August, Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Council members Sergei Dylevsky and Maxim Znak were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. Lukashenko has called some of the protesters "Nazis". Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. Traffic in Minsk was halted by a drivers strike honking their horns and abandoning their vehicles in support of protestors. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby. A pro-government rally was held at a stadium in Slutsk, after which, rally attenders approached a solidarity chain formed by opponents of Lukashenko and attempted to snatch Belarusian opposition flags from the protesters.
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to the Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A small number of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Lenin Square in Minsk.
|
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| 974336013 |
2020-08-22T11:48:43Z |
169375(0) |
9659(0) |
388(0) |
|
On 20 August, Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Council members Sergei Dylevsky and Maxim Znak were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. Lukashenko has called some of the protesters "Nazis". Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. Traffic in Minsk was halted by a drivers strike honking their horns and abandoning their vehicles in support of protestors. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby. A pro-government rally was held at a stadium in Slutsk, after which, rally attenders approached a solidarity chain formed by opponents of Lukashenko and attempted to snatch Belarusian opposition flags from the protesters.
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protestors to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to the Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A small number of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Lenin Square in Minsk.
In a 21 August statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, it was noted that, despite the majority of the detainees being released, serious concerns about the eight missing protestors and the sixty accused of serious criminal acts, the statement underlined the lack of information about the detainees' status and called for the government to stop unlawfully detaining people. The Commissioner also confirmed that there had been four deaths and were greatly concerned about allegations of large-scale torture and ill-treatment of people, including journalists and children.
Sergei Dylevsky a steel worker at the Minsk Tractor Works helped take protestors released from detention to hospital, one had lost an eye after being beaten at the facility, this evidence sickened Dylevsky and led to his joining the coordination council.
One of the few communication systems that managed to avoid censorship is the independent Belarusian-owned NEXTA [ru] Telegram channel based in Warsaw. The channel's subscribers rose from 100,000 on election night to over a million after a day. The channel publishes user-generated videos, photos, and comments of the protests. The founder of NEXTA himself is facing up to 15 years of prison after being indicted by the regime. The use of Telegram software is helping the protestors by providing much needed communications. NEXTA Live's audience shot to over 2 million. Its sister channel NEXTA has more than 700,000 followers. Belarus of the Brain's is now over 470,000. Officials opened a criminal probe into NEXTA which has continued to operate despite the arrest of its founder Stepan Putilo, on charges of fomenting mass riots, Igor Losik, who founded Belarus of the Brain, was arrested before the election, but the channel also continues to operate.
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On 20 August, Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Council members Sergei Dylevsky and Maxim Znak were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. Lukashenko has called some of the protesters "Nazis". Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. Traffic in Minsk was halted by a drivers strike honking their horns and abandoning their vehicles in support of protesters. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby. A pro-government rally was held at a stadium in Slutsk, after which, rally attenders approached a solidarity chain formed by opponents of Lukashenko and attempted to snatch Belarusian opposition flags from the protesters.
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protesters to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to the Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A small number of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Lenin Square in Minsk.
In a 21 August statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, it was noted that, despite the majority of the detainees being released, serious concerns about the eight missing protesters and the sixty accused of serious criminal acts, the statement underlined the lack of information about the detainees' status and called for the government to stop unlawfully detaining people. The Commissioner also confirmed that there had been four deaths and were greatly concerned about allegations of large-scale torture and ill-treatment of people, including journalists and children.
Sergei Dylevsky a steel worker at the Minsk Tractor Works helped take protesters released from detention to hospital, one had lost an eye after being beaten at the facility, this evidence sickened Dylevsky and led to his joining the coordination council.
One of the few communication systems that managed to avoid censorship is the independent Belarusian-owned NEXTA [ru] Telegram channel based in Warsaw. The channel's subscribers rose from 100,000 on election night to over a million after a day. The channel publishes user-generated videos, photos, and comments of the protests. The founder of NEXTA himself is facing up to 15 years of prison after being indicted by the regime. The use of Telegram software is helping the protesters by providing much needed communications. NEXTA Live's audience shot to over 2 million. Its sister channel NEXTA has more than 700,000 followers. Belarus of the Brain's is now over 470,000. Officials opened a criminal probe into NEXTA which has continued to operate despite the arrest of its founder Stepan Putilo, on charges of fomenting mass riots, Igor Losik, who founded Belarus of the Brain, was arrested before the election, but the channel also continues to operate.
|
|
| 974337423 |
2020-08-22T12:02:57Z |
169319(-56) |
9659(0) |
386(-2) |
|
|
|
|
| 974337638 |
2020-08-22T12:04:54Z |
169322(3) |
9659(0) |
386(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974341755 |
2020-08-22T12:42:55Z |
169987(665) |
9720(61) |
387(1) |
Attacks on journalists and censorship |
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As of 21 August, Belarusian edition of Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper failed to print three editions, and Narodnaja Volya failed to print one newspaper edition (both newspapers had a contract with the government-controlled printing house). The Belarusian association of journalists stated that the real cause was not technical troubles, but an attempt to block information about the protests and violations of human rights.
|
|
| 974357931 |
2020-08-22T14:50:56Z |
170001(14) |
9723(3) |
387(0) |
Second week |
On 20 August, Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Council members Sergei Dylevsky and Maxim Znak were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. Lukashenko has called some of the protesters "Nazis". Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators, while a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. Traffic in Minsk was halted by a drivers strike honking their horns and abandoning their vehicles in support of protesters. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby. A pro-government rally was held at a stadium in Slutsk, after which, rally attenders approached a solidarity chain formed by opponents of Lukashenko and attempted to snatch Belarusian opposition flags from the protesters.
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On 20 August, Alexander Konyuk, Prosecutor General of Belarus, initiated criminal proceedings against the members of the Coordination Council under Article 361 of the Belarusian Criminal Code, on the grounds of attempting to seize state power and harming national security. Council members Sergei Dylevsky and Maxim Znak were summoned for police questioning. Four members of the security forces resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. Lukashenko has called some of the protesters "Nazis". Another pro-Lukashenko rally was held in Minsk at Independence Square, with another helicopter bearing a state flag flying over the demonstrators. At the same time, a separate rally was also held at the Lenin monument in front of the Government House in Minsk, only to be outnumbered by anti-Lukashenko demonstrators. In response, some pro-Lukashenko demonstrators joined the opposition protest, while others left the rally. Traffic in Minsk was halted by a drivers strike honking their horns and abandoning their vehicles in support of protesters. A small group of Lukashenko supporters were seen in Hrodna handing out state flags and other pro-government material to passersby. A pro-government rally was held at a stadium in Slutsk, after which, rally attendees approached a solidarity chain formed by opponents of Lukashenko and attempted to snatch Belarusian opposition flags from the protesters.
|
|
| 974358493 |
2020-08-22T14:53:31Z |
169996(-5) |
9722(-1) |
387(0) |
Second week |
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protesters to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to the Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A small number of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Lenin Square in Minsk.
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On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protesters to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to the Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A small number of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Lenin Square in Minsk.
|
|
| 974359090 |
2020-08-22T14:56:21Z |
169993(-3) |
9721(-1) |
387(0) |
Second week |
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so and urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protesters to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to the Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A small number of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Lenin Square in Minsk.
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On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so. She urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protesters to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A small number of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Lenin Square in Minsk.
|
|
| 974360933 |
2020-08-22T15:10:36Z |
170123(130) |
9733(12) |
388(1) |
Symbols |
The current state flag of Belarus has been used at demonstrations purported to be in support of Alexander Lukashenko.
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The current state flag of Belarus has been used at demonstrations purported to be in support of Alexander Lukashenko though there are reports of some opposition demostrators using the current flag.
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| 974361094 |
2020-08-22T15:11:28Z |
170193(70) |
9733(0) |
389(1) |
|
|
|
|
| 974362032 |
2020-08-22T15:17:49Z |
170623(430) |
9768(35) |
390(1) |
Second week |
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so. She urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protesters to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A small number of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Lenin Square in Minsk.
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On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so. She urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protesters to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A small number of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Independence Square in Minsk.
On 22 August, the Chairman of the Grodno Region Executive Committee, Vladimir Kravtsov, was dismissed by Lukashenko and replaced by former health minister Vladimir Karanik. Lukashenko appeared at a pro-government rally in Grodno later that afternoon.
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| 974362868 |
2020-08-22T15:23:53Z |
170553(-70) |
9768(0) |
389(-1) |
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|
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| 974363243 |
2020-08-22T15:26:57Z |
170547(-6) |
9765(-3) |
389(0) |
Symbols |
The current state flag of Belarus has been used at demonstrations purported to be in support of Alexander Lukashenko though there are reports of some opposition demostrators using the current flag.
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The current state flag of Belarus has been universally used at demonstrations in support of Alexander Lukashenko; anti-Lukashenko protesters have used the current flag on rare occasions, too.
|
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| 974363472 |
2020-08-22T15:28:56Z |
170535(-12) |
9763(-2) |
389(0) |
Symbols |
The current state flag of Belarus has been universally used at demonstrations in support of Alexander Lukashenko; anti-Lukashenko protesters have used the current flag on rare occasions, too.
|
The current state flag of Belarus has been universally used at demonstrations in support of Alexander Lukashenko; anti-Lukashenko protesters bear this flag on rare occasions, too.
|
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| 974363587 |
2020-08-22T15:30:07Z |
170540(5) |
9764(1) |
389(0) |
Symbols |
The current state flag of Belarus has been universally used at demonstrations in support of Alexander Lukashenko; anti-Lukashenko protesters bear this flag on rare occasions, too.
|
The current state flag of Belarus has been universally used at demonstrations in support of Alexander Lukashenko; anti-Lukashenko protesters have used this flag on rare occasions, too.
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| 974365053 |
2020-08-22T15:41:54Z |
170540(0) |
9764(0) |
389(0) |
Symbols |
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| 974376684 |
2020-08-22T17:11:50Z |
170526(-14) |
9764(0) |
389(0) |
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| 974383288 |
2020-08-22T17:58:36Z |
170528(2) |
9764(0) |
389(0) |
|
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|
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| 974384498 |
2020-08-22T18:06:53Z |
171439(911) |
9893(129) |
390(1) |
Second week |
On 22 August, the Chairman of the Grodno Region Executive Committee, Vladimir Kravtsov, was dismissed by Lukashenko and replaced by former health minister Vladimir Karanik. Lukashenko appeared at a pro-government rally in Grodno later that afternoon.
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On 22 August, the Chairman of the Grodno Region Executive Committee, Vladimir Kravtsov, was dismissed by Lukashenko and replaced by former health minister Vladimir Karanik. Lukashenko appeared at a pro-government rally in Grodno later that afternoon. During the rally, Lukashenko called on the military to defend the western border of Belarus, accusing Warsaw and Vilnius of being behind the protests. The president warned that "this is not only our border, this is the border of the Union State, this is the CSTO border, and the answer will be appropriate." He also defended his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, saying "You didn't believe me when I said, 'You don't need to isolate people.' What are Westerners saying now?" Lukashenko called out striking workers from the state-owned Grodnozhilbud construction company, saying "We will do even without Grodnozhilbud, we have enough builders in the country", and also called out priests participating in the protests, quoting that "People should come to the temples to pray. Churches...are not for politics."
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|
| 974384667 |
2020-08-22T18:08:27Z |
171537(98) |
9900(7) |
391(1) |
Second week |
On 22 August, the Chairman of the Grodno Region Executive Committee, Vladimir Kravtsov, was dismissed by Lukashenko and replaced by former health minister Vladimir Karanik. Lukashenko appeared at a pro-government rally in Grodno later that afternoon. During the rally, Lukashenko called on the military to defend the western border of Belarus, accusing Warsaw and Vilnius of being behind the protests. The president warned that "this is not only our border, this is the border of the Union State, this is the CSTO border, and the answer will be appropriate." He also defended his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, saying "You didn't believe me when I said, 'You don't need to isolate people.' What are Westerners saying now?" Lukashenko called out striking workers from the state-owned Grodnozhilbud construction company, saying "We will do even without Grodnozhilbud, we have enough builders in the country", and also called out priests participating in the protests, quoting that "People should come to the temples to pray. Churches...are not for politics."
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On 22 August, the Chairman of the Grodno Region Executive Committee, Vladimir Kravtsov, was dismissed by Lukashenko and replaced by former health minister Vladimir Karanik. Lukashenko appeared at a pro-government rally in Grodno later that afternoon. During the rally, Lukashenko called on the military to defend the western border of Belarus, accusing Warsaw and Vilnius of being behind the protests. The president warned that "this is not only our border, this is the border of the Union State, this is the CSTO border, and the answer will be appropriate." He also defended his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, saying "You didn't believe me when I said, 'You don't need to isolate people.' What are Westerners saying now?" Lukashenko called out striking workers from the state-owned Grodnozhilbud construction company, saying "We will do even without Grodnozhilbud, we have enough builders in the country", and also called out priests participating in the protests, quoting that "People should come to the temples to pray. Churches...are not for politics." Several journalists were detained at the rally.
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| 974386368 |
2020-08-22T18:20:54Z |
171982(445) |
9918(18) |
392(1) |
Accounts of witnesses and victims |
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The Ministry of Internal Affairs in Belarus has rejected allegations of abuse and torture of citizens detained during disturbances.
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| 974386628 |
2020-08-22T18:22:41Z |
171982(0) |
9918(0) |
392(0) |
Human rights issues |
According to Maxim Solopov, special correspondent of Meduza, who was detained during the 10 August protest and spent two days in the Okrestina detention center, the detainees were ordered to kneel with their hands behind their heads and put their heads on the ground; then, they were continuously beaten by the staff for hours before being put into the cells. The male detainees were ordered to completely undress while laying on the ground, and, on several occasions, loud explosions were heard by Solopov; he believed these could have been detonations of flash-bang grenades. According to Solopov, the tile floor in the detention center was completely covered with blood, and screams of the beaten detainees could be heard during all his stay there. Solopov also reported that the cell where he and other detainees stayed (45 people in total) had an area of approximately 8 square meters and lacked proper ventilation. On one occasion, 35 female detainees from the cell next to Solopov's, after they screamed to the staff they were suffocating, had dirty water (left from washing the floor) poured over them and threatened that feces would be thrown over them if the screaming did not stop.
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According to Maxim Solopov, special correspondent of Meduza, who was detained during the 10 August protest and spent two days in the Okrestina detention center, the detainees were ordered to kneel with their hands behind their heads and put their heads on the ground; then, they were continuously beaten by the staff for hours before being put into the cells. The male detainees were ordered to completely undress while laying on the ground, and, on several occasions, loud explosions were heard by Solopov; he believed these could have been detonations of flash-bang grenades. According to Solopov, the tile floor in the detention center was completely covered with blood, and screams of the beaten detainees could be heard during all his stay there. Solopov also reported that the cell where he and other detainees stayed (45 people in total) had an area of approximately 8 square meters and lacked proper ventilation. On one occasion, 35 female detainees from the cell next to Solopov's, after they screamed to the staff they were suffocating, had dirty water (left from washing the floor) poured over them and threatened that feces would be thrown over them if the screaming did not stop.
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| 974387297 |
2020-08-22T18:27:35Z |
173653(1671) |
10033(115) |
394(2) |
Accounts of witnesses and victims |
|
Kristina Kazanoy from Minsk was falsely accused of torture on pro-opposition social networks. She turned out to be not a riot police officer, but a teacher. Kazana had to release a video message and declare that she never used violence and is engaged in physical training of cadets. Kazanoy herself now does not believe the stories about torture: “After they fabricated this story about me, they no longer have faith. I don’t know any of the employees at Akrestsin Street, I don’t know if this woman actually tortured and beat people and if there is such an employee at all. Until yesterday I didn’t know where Akrestsina was, I thought it was not in Minsk. ”
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| 974387798 |
2020-08-22T18:32:06Z |
175502(1849) |
10218(185) |
396(2) |
Accounts of witnesses and victims |
A former detainee who was initially transported to the Savyetski District RUVD (Russian: РУВД - Районное Управление Внутренних Дел; District Department of Internal Affairs) reported that around 80 people were lined along a wall there and were forced to stay for 24 hours with their hands behind their heads, including the ones with broken hands, who were refused medical attention. The detainees were repeatedly beaten there and threatened by police officers with execution by shooting, which they claimed they had direct orders to perform, and were allowed to sit only during a night for a total of 15 minutes. According to another former detainee who was initially transported to the Partyzanski District RUVD, the detainees there (around 30 in total) were severely beaten, taken to a basement and ordered to sing the anthem of Belarus on multiple occasions. A female former detainee who was transported to the Maskowski District RUVD reported that during the early stages of detention she was repeatedly beaten, accused of being a "protest coordinator" and demanded to name the people who paid her. In the RUVD, she was taken to a hall where the floor was covered with blood and vomit, was ordered to lay down and threatened to have her dreadlocks cut off. During interrogation by 7 police officers, she was demanded to tell who paid her for the subversion and at some point was knocked out of a chair, ordered to lay down and was beaten with truncheons each time her answers weren't considered satisfactory. After the interrogation, she was taken to a hall with about 40 or more detainees and had her clothes marked with an aerosol paint, which, as she learned later, was a message to other police officers meaning she was one of the most active protesters. In the Okrestina detention center, she, along with other 35-40 women, was put in a quadruple cell where she spent another 3 days. Another female former detainee reported that at some point she was taken to a sextuple cell with 50 other detainees who were refused food and had no access to clean water. During her last night there, the Okrestina staff knocked on the cell door once in an hour, preventing the detainees from sleeping. The detainees there were nearly suffocating and restrained from talking in order to preserve as much oxygen as possible. When she was transported to a detention center in Zhodzina, she received food for the first time in three days and heard local staff referring to Okrestina as Auschwitz concentration camp. Another female former detainee from Okrestina, who was arrested by 10 OMON officers as an independent observer during the elections and was put in a quadruple cell with 35 other women, reported that all the detainees' requests for more air were met with an opened door and a splash of water. The detainees there were constantly humiliated and refused means of personal hygiene, such as sanitary napkins. During the night, when male detainees were taken out of their cells, she heard sounds of severe beatings and screams, and, in the morning, saw the corridor walls of the Okrestina covered with blood.
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On August 11th, 2020 Molotov cocktails began to be thrown at security officials in Minsk. Activists built barricades and began to burn tires near the capital's shopping center "Riga", the area near which will become one of the main places of clashes between activists and law enforcement officers. Telegram channel NEXTA, used by the opposition, published messages alleging violence by law enforcement officers, which were not always accompanied by video or photo confirmation. Telegram published aggressive vocabulary against law enforcement, such as "punishers" and "fascists".
A former detainee who was initially transported to the Savyetski District RUVD (Russian: РУВД - Районное Управление Внутренних Дел; District Department of Internal Affairs) reported that around 80 people were lined along a wall there and were forced to stay for 24 hours with their hands behind their heads, including the ones with broken hands, who were refused medical attention. The detainees were allegedly beaten there and threatened by police officers with execution by shooting, which they claimed they had direct orders to perform, and were allowed to sit only during a night for a total of 15 minutes. According to another former detainee who was initially transported to the Partyzanski District RUVD, the detainees there (around 30 in total) were severely beaten, taken to a basement and ordered to sing the anthem of Belarus on multiple occasions. A female former detainee who was transported to the Maskowski District RUVD reported that during the early stages of detention she was repeatedly beaten, accused of being a "protest coordinator" and demanded to name the people who paid her. In the RUVD, she was taken to a hall where the floor was covered with blood and vomit, was ordered to lay down and threatened to have her dreadlocks cut off. During interrogation by 7 police officers, she was demanded to tell who paid her for the subversion and at some point was knocked out of a chair, ordered to lay down and was beaten with truncheons each time her answers weren't considered satisfactory. After the interrogation, she was taken to a hall with about 40 or more detainees and had her clothes marked with an aerosol paint, which, as she learned later, was a message to other police officers meaning she was one of the most active protesters. In the Okrestina detention center, she, along with other 35-40 women, was put in a quadruple cell where she spent another 3 days. Another female former detainee reported that at some point she was taken to a sextuple cell with 50 other detainees who were refused food and had no access to clean water. During her last night there, the Okrestina staff knocked on the cell door once in an hour, preventing the detainees from sleeping. The detainees there were nearly suffocating and restrained from talking in order to preserve as much oxygen as possible. When she was transported to a detention center in Zhodzina, she received food for the first time in three days and heard local staff referring to Okrestina as Auschwitz concentration camp. Another female former detainee from Okrestina, who was arrested by 10 OMON officers as an independent observer during the elections and was put in a quadruple cell with 35 other women, reported that all the detainees' requests for more air were met with an opened door and a splash of water. The detainees there were constantly humiliated and refused means of personal hygiene, such as sanitary napkins. During the night, when male detainees were taken out of their cells, she heard sounds of severe beatings and screams, and, in the morning, saw the corridor walls of the Okrestina covered with blood.
Some outlets in Russia and Belarus scrutinized the connections held by the Belarusian opposition media, questioning the independence of the NEXTA telegram channel. One of the founders of the channel is Belarusian Stepan Putilo, who emigrated to Poland and studies in the United States. Previously, Putilo worked for Belsat, a satellite television network supervised by and directly funded by the Polish government. The chief editor of NEXTA is Roman Protasevich, who also works at Radio Liberty (recognized in the Russian Federation as a foreign agent). When covering the events in Belarus, The U.S. Government's Radio Liberty actively cites NEXTA for its information.
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| 974388260 |
2020-08-22T18:36:15Z |
174656(-846) |
10134(-84) |
395(-1) |
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On August 11th, 2020 Molotov cocktails began to be thrown at security officials in Minsk. Activists built barricades and began to burn tires near the capital's shopping center "Riga", the area near which will become one of the main places of clashes between activists and law enforcement officers. Telegram channel NEXTA, used by the opposition, published messages alleging violence by law enforcement officers, which were not always accompanied by video or photo confirmation. Telegram published aggressive vocabulary against law enforcement, such as "punishers" and "fascists".
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|
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| 974388496 |
2020-08-22T18:37:59Z |
175502(846) |
10218(84) |
396(1) |
First week |
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On August 11th, 2020 Molotov cocktails began to be thrown at security officials in Minsk. Activists built barricades and began to burn tires near the capital's shopping center "Riga", the area near which will become one of the main places of clashes between activists and law enforcement officers. Telegram channel NEXTA, used by the opposition, published messages alleging violence by law enforcement officers, which were not always accompanied by video or photo confirmation. Telegram published aggressive vocabulary against law enforcement, such as "punishers" and "fascists".
|
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| 974390265 |
2020-08-22T18:51:02Z |
175621(119) |
10218(0) |
396(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974390318 |
2020-08-22T18:51:19Z |
175655(34) |
10216(-2) |
396(0) |
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Kristina Kazanoy from Minsk was falsely accused of torture on pro-opposition social networks. She turned out to be not a riot police officer, but a teacher. Kazana had to release a video message and declare that she never used violence and is engaged in physical training of cadets. Kazanoy herself now does not believe the stories about torture: “After they fabricated this story about me, they no longer have faith. I don’t know any of the employees at Akrestsin Street, I don’t know if this woman actually tortured and beat people and if there is such an employee at all. Until yesterday I didn’t know where Akrestsina was, I thought it was not in Minsk. ”
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Kristina Kazanoy from Minsk was falsely accused of torture on social networks. She turned out to be not a police officer, but a teacher at the academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Kazanaoy had to release a video message declaring that she never used violence. Kazanoy herself now does not believe the stories about widespread tortures: “After they fabricated this story about me, they no longer have my faith. I don’t know any of the employees at Okrestina, I don’t know if this woman actually tortured and beat people and if there is such an employee at all. Until yesterday, I didn’t know where Okrestsina was, I thought it was not in Minsk.”
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| 974390423 |
2020-08-22T18:52:05Z |
175659(4) |
10216(0) |
396(0) |
|
|
|
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| 974390563 |
2020-08-22T18:53:11Z |
175660(1) |
10216(0) |
396(0) |
People falsely accused of torture |
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| 974390720 |
2020-08-22T18:54:29Z |
175664(4) |
10217(1) |
396(0) |
Persons falsely accused of torture |
Kristina Kazanoy from Minsk was falsely accused of torture on social networks. She turned out to be not a police officer, but a teacher at the academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Kazanaoy had to release a video message declaring that she never used violence. Kazanoy herself now does not believe the stories about widespread tortures: “After they fabricated this story about me, they no longer have my faith. I don’t know any of the employees at Okrestina, I don’t know if this woman actually tortured and beat people and if there is such an employee at all. Until yesterday, I didn’t know where Okrestsina was, I thought it was not in Minsk.”
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Kristina Kazanoy from Minsk was falsely accused of torture on social networks. She turned out to be not a police officer, but a teacher at the academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Kazanaoy had to release a video message declaring that she never used violence. Kazanoy herself now does not believe the stories about the widespread tortures: “After they fabricated this story about me, they no longer have my faith. I don’t know any of the employees at Okrestina, I don’t know if this woman actually tortured and beat people and if there is such an employee at all. Until yesterday, I didn’t know where Okrestsina was, I thought it was not in Minsk.”
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| 974390820 |
2020-08-22T18:55:19Z |
176300(636) |
10276(59) |
397(1) |
International reactions |
Some countries and organisations have passed resolutions to impose sanctions.
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According to China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Belarus can maintain order and stability through internal efforts. He stated that China respects the path chosen by Belarus and efforts to protect the country's sovereignty, security and development. China's Foreign Ministry Spoeksperson said, "as good friends and partners, we do not hope that the situation in Belarus will escalate into chaos and oppose external forces triggering division and disturbances in Belarusian society."
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| 974391745 |
2020-08-22T19:02:18Z |
176407(107) |
10295(19) |
397(0) |
Persons falsely accused of torture |
Kristina Kazanoy from Minsk was falsely accused of torture on social networks. She turned out to be not a police officer, but a teacher at the academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Kazanaoy had to release a video message declaring that she never used violence. Kazanoy herself now does not believe the stories about the widespread tortures: “After they fabricated this story about me, they no longer have my faith. I don’t know any of the employees at Okrestina, I don’t know if this woman actually tortured and beat people and if there is such an employee at all. Until yesterday, I didn’t know where Okrestsina was, I thought it was not in Minsk.”
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Kristina Kazanoy from Minsk was falsely accused of torture on social networks, being reported by some of the former detainees to be similar in appearance to a member of Okrestina staff. She turned out to be not a police officer, but a teacher at the academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Kazanaoy had to release a video message declaring that she never used violence. Kazanoy herself now does not believe the stories about the widespread tortures: “After they fabricated this story about me, they no longer have my faith. I don’t know any of the employees at Okrestina, I don’t know if this woman actually tortured and beat people and if there is such an employee at all. Until yesterday, I didn’t know where Okrestsina was, I thought it was not in Minsk.”
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| 974393544 |
2020-08-22T19:15:33Z |
176415(8) |
10297(2) |
397(0) |
Accounts of witnesses and victims |
A former detainee who was initially transported to the Savyetski District RUVD (Russian: РУВД - Районное Управление Внутренних Дел; District Department of Internal Affairs) reported that around 80 people were lined along a wall there and were forced to stay for 24 hours with their hands behind their heads, including the ones with broken hands, who were refused medical attention. The detainees were allegedly beaten there and threatened by police officers with execution by shooting, which they claimed they had direct orders to perform, and were allowed to sit only during a night for a total of 15 minutes. According to another former detainee who was initially transported to the Partyzanski District RUVD, the detainees there (around 30 in total) were severely beaten, taken to a basement and ordered to sing the anthem of Belarus on multiple occasions. A female former detainee who was transported to the Maskowski District RUVD reported that during the early stages of detention she was repeatedly beaten, accused of being a "protest coordinator" and demanded to name the people who paid her. In the RUVD, she was taken to a hall where the floor was covered with blood and vomit, was ordered to lay down and threatened to have her dreadlocks cut off. During interrogation by 7 police officers, she was demanded to tell who paid her for the subversion and at some point was knocked out of a chair, ordered to lay down and was beaten with truncheons each time her answers weren't considered satisfactory. After the interrogation, she was taken to a hall with about 40 or more detainees and had her clothes marked with an aerosol paint, which, as she learned later, was a message to other police officers meaning she was one of the most active protesters. In the Okrestina detention center, she, along with other 35-40 women, was put in a quadruple cell where she spent another 3 days. Another female former detainee reported that at some point she was taken to a sextuple cell with 50 other detainees who were refused food and had no access to clean water. During her last night there, the Okrestina staff knocked on the cell door once in an hour, preventing the detainees from sleeping. The detainees there were nearly suffocating and restrained from talking in order to preserve as much oxygen as possible. When she was transported to a detention center in Zhodzina, she received food for the first time in three days and heard local staff referring to Okrestina as Auschwitz concentration camp. Another female former detainee from Okrestina, who was arrested by 10 OMON officers as an independent observer during the elections and was put in a quadruple cell with 35 other women, reported that all the detainees' requests for more air were met with an opened door and a splash of water. The detainees there were constantly humiliated and refused means of personal hygiene, such as sanitary napkins. During the night, when male detainees were taken out of their cells, she heard sounds of severe beatings and screams, and, in the morning, saw the corridor walls of the Okrestina covered with blood.
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A former detainee who was initially transported to the Savyetski District RUVD (Russian: РУВД - Районное Управление Внутренних Дел; District Department of Internal Affairs) reported that around 80 people were lined along a wall there and were forced to stay for 24 hours with their hands behind their heads, including the ones with broken hands, who were refused medical attention. According to him, the detainees were beaten there and threatened by police officers with execution by shooting, which they claimed they had direct orders to perform, and were allowed to sit only during a night for a total of 15 minutes. According to another former detainee who was initially transported to the Partyzanski District RUVD, the detainees there (around 30 in total) were severely beaten, taken to a basement and ordered to sing the anthem of Belarus on multiple occasions. A female former detainee who was transported to the Maskowski District RUVD reported that during the early stages of detention she was repeatedly beaten, accused of being a "protest coordinator" and demanded to name the people who paid her. In the RUVD, she was taken to a hall where the floor was covered with blood and vomit, was ordered to lay down and threatened to have her dreadlocks cut off. During interrogation by 7 police officers, she was demanded to tell who paid her for the subversion and at some point was knocked out of a chair, ordered to lay down and was beaten with truncheons each time her answers weren't considered satisfactory. After the interrogation, she was taken to a hall with about 40 or more detainees and had her clothes marked with an aerosol paint, which, as she learned later, was a message to other police officers meaning she was one of the most active protesters. In the Okrestina detention center, she, along with other 35-40 women, was put in a quadruple cell where she spent another 3 days. Another female former detainee reported that at some point she was taken to a sextuple cell with 50 other detainees who were refused food and had no access to clean water. During her last night there, the Okrestina staff knocked on the cell door once in an hour, preventing the detainees from sleeping. The detainees there were nearly suffocating and restrained from talking in order to preserve as much oxygen as possible. When she was transported to a detention center in Zhodzina, she received food for the first time in three days and heard local staff referring to Okrestina as Auschwitz concentration camp. Another female former detainee from Okrestina, who was arrested by 10 OMON officers as an independent observer during the elections and was put in a quadruple cell with 35 other women, reported that all the detainees' requests for more air were met with an opened door and a splash of water. The detainees there were constantly humiliated and refused means of personal hygiene, such as sanitary napkins. During the night, when male detainees were taken out of their cells, she heard sounds of severe beatings and screams, and, in the morning, saw the corridor walls of the Okrestina covered with blood.
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| 974393793 |
2020-08-22T19:17:27Z |
176421(6) |
10297(0) |
397(0) |
Human rights issues |
A former detainee who was initially transported to the Savyetski District RUVD (Russian: РУВД - Районное Управление Внутренних Дел; District Department of Internal Affairs) reported that around 80 people were lined along a wall there and were forced to stay for 24 hours with their hands behind their heads, including the ones with broken hands, who were refused medical attention. According to him, the detainees were beaten there and threatened by police officers with execution by shooting, which they claimed they had direct orders to perform, and were allowed to sit only during a night for a total of 15 minutes. According to another former detainee who was initially transported to the Partyzanski District RUVD, the detainees there (around 30 in total) were severely beaten, taken to a basement and ordered to sing the anthem of Belarus on multiple occasions. A female former detainee who was transported to the Maskowski District RUVD reported that during the early stages of detention she was repeatedly beaten, accused of being a "protest coordinator" and demanded to name the people who paid her. In the RUVD, she was taken to a hall where the floor was covered with blood and vomit, was ordered to lay down and threatened to have her dreadlocks cut off. During interrogation by 7 police officers, she was demanded to tell who paid her for the subversion and at some point was knocked out of a chair, ordered to lay down and was beaten with truncheons each time her answers weren't considered satisfactory. After the interrogation, she was taken to a hall with about 40 or more detainees and had her clothes marked with an aerosol paint, which, as she learned later, was a message to other police officers meaning she was one of the most active protesters. In the Okrestina detention center, she, along with other 35-40 women, was put in a quadruple cell where she spent another 3 days. Another female former detainee reported that at some point she was taken to a sextuple cell with 50 other detainees who were refused food and had no access to clean water. During her last night there, the Okrestina staff knocked on the cell door once in an hour, preventing the detainees from sleeping. The detainees there were nearly suffocating and restrained from talking in order to preserve as much oxygen as possible. When she was transported to a detention center in Zhodzina, she received food for the first time in three days and heard local staff referring to Okrestina as Auschwitz concentration camp. Another female former detainee from Okrestina, who was arrested by 10 OMON officers as an independent observer during the elections and was put in a quadruple cell with 35 other women, reported that all the detainees' requests for more air were met with an opened door and a splash of water. The detainees there were constantly humiliated and refused means of personal hygiene, such as sanitary napkins. During the night, when male detainees were taken out of their cells, she heard sounds of severe beatings and screams, and, in the morning, saw the corridor walls of the Okrestina covered with blood.
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A former detainee who was initially transported to the Savyetski District RUVD (Russian: РУВД - Районное Управление Внутренних Дел; District Department of Internal Affairs) reported that around 80 people were lined along a wall there and were forced to stay for 24 hours with their hands behind their heads, including the ones with broken hands, who were refused medical attention. According to him, the detainees were beaten there and threatened by police officers with execution by shooting, which they claimed they had direct orders to perform, and were allowed to sit only during a night for a total of 15 minutes. According to another former detainee who was initially transported to the Partyzanski District RUVD, the detainees there (around 30 in total) were severely beaten, taken to a basement and ordered to sing the anthem of Belarus on multiple occasions. A female former detainee who was transported to the Maskowski District RUVD reported that during the early stages of detention she was repeatedly beaten, accused of being a "protest coordinator" and demanded to name the people who paid her. In the RUVD, she was taken to a hall where the floor was covered with blood and vomit, was ordered to lay down and threatened to have her dreadlocks cut off. During interrogation by 7 police officers, she was demanded to tell who paid her for the subversion and at some point was knocked out of a chair, ordered to lay down and was beaten with truncheons each time her answers weren't considered satisfactory. After the interrogation, she was taken to a hall with about 40 or more detainees and had her clothes marked with an aerosol paint, which, as she learned later, was a message to other police officers meaning she was one of the most active protesters. In the Okrestina detention center, she, along with other 35-40 women, was put in a four-people cell where she spent another 3 days. Another female former detainee reported that at some point she was taken to a six-people cell with 50 other detainees who were refused food and had no access to clean water. During her last night there, the Okrestina staff knocked on the cell door once in an hour, preventing the detainees from sleeping. The detainees there were nearly suffocating and restrained from talking in order to preserve as much oxygen as possible. When she was transported to a detention center in Zhodzina, she received food for the first time in three days and heard local staff referring to Okrestina as Auschwitz concentration camp. Another female former detainee from Okrestina, who was arrested by 10 OMON officers as an independent observer during the elections and was put in a four-people cell with 35 other women, reported that all the detainees' requests for more air were met with an opened door and a splash of water. The detainees there were constantly humiliated and refused means of personal hygiene, such as sanitary napkins. During the night, when male detainees were taken out of their cells, she heard sounds of severe beatings and screams, and, in the morning, saw the corridor walls of the Okrestina covered with blood.
|
|
| 974394333 |
2020-08-22T19:20:55Z |
176450(29) |
10303(6) |
397(0) |
Accounts of witnesses and victims |
Sergei Dylevsky a steel worker at the Minsk Tractor Works helped take protesters released from detention to hospital, one had lost an eye after being beaten at the facility, this evidence sickened Dylevsky and led to his joining the coordination council.
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Sergei Dylevsky, a steel worker at the Minsk Tractor Works who helped take protesters released from detention to a hospital, recalled that one of them had lost an eye after being beaten at the facility. This evidence sickened Dylevsky and led to his joining the coordination council.
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| 974394451 |
2020-08-22T19:21:44Z |
176450(0) |
10303(0) |
397(0) |
Accounts of witnesses and victims |
Sergei Dylevsky, a steel worker at the Minsk Tractor Works who helped take protesters released from detention to a hospital, recalled that one of them had lost an eye after being beaten at the facility. This evidence sickened Dylevsky and led to his joining the coordination council.
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Sergei Dylevsky, a steel worker at the Minsk Tractor Works who helped take protesters released from detention to a hospital, recalled that one of them had lost an eye after being beaten at the facility. This evidence sickened Dylevsky and led to his joining the Coordination Council.
|
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| 974394845 |
2020-08-22T19:24:13Z |
176448(-2) |
10303(0) |
397(0) |
Persons falsely accused of torture |
Kristina Kazanoy from Minsk was falsely accused of torture on social networks, being reported by some of the former detainees to be similar in appearance to a member of Okrestina staff. She turned out to be not a police officer, but a teacher at the academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Kazanaoy had to release a video message declaring that she never used violence. Kazanoy herself now does not believe the stories about the widespread tortures: “After they fabricated this story about me, they no longer have my faith. I don’t know any of the employees at Okrestina, I don’t know if this woman actually tortured and beat people and if there is such an employee at all. Until yesterday, I didn’t know where Okrestsina was, I thought it was not in Minsk.”
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Kristina Kazanoy from Minsk was falsely accused of torture on social networks, being reported by some of the former detainees to be similar in appearance to a member of Okrestina staff. She turned out to be not a police officer, but a teacher at the academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Kazanaoy had to release a video message declaring that she never used violence. Kazanoy stated she did not believe the stories about the widespread tortures: “After they fabricated this story about me, they no longer have my faith. I don’t know any of the employees at Okrestina, I don’t know if that woman actually tortured and beat people and if there is such an employee at all. Until yesterday, I didn’t know where Okrestsina was, I thought it was not in Minsk.”
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| 974399711 |
2020-08-22T20:00:32Z |
176549(101) |
10314(11) |
398(1) |
|
The 2020 Belarusian protests, nicknamed the Slipper Revolution and the Anti-Cockroach Revolution, are a series of political demonstrations against the Belarusian government and President Alexander Lukashenko. The demonstrations, part of the Belarusian democracy movement, began in the lead-up to and during the 2020 presidential election, in which Lukashenko sought a sixth term in office.
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The 2020 Belarusian protests, nicknamed the Slipper Revolution and the Anti-Cockroach Revolution, are a series of political demonstrations against the Belarusian government and President Alexander Lukashenko. The demonstrations, part of the Belarusian democracy movement, began in the lead-up to and during the 2020 presidential election, in which Lukashenko sought a sixth term in office. In response, a number of relatively small pro-Lukashenko demonstrations were held.
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| 974407133 |
2020-08-22T20:59:02Z |
176925(376) |
10354(40) |
400(2) |
Second week |
On 22 August, the Chairman of the Grodno Region Executive Committee, Vladimir Kravtsov, was dismissed by Lukashenko and replaced by former health minister Vladimir Karanik. Lukashenko appeared at a pro-government rally in Grodno later that afternoon. During the rally, Lukashenko called on the military to defend the western border of Belarus, accusing Warsaw and Vilnius of being behind the protests. The president warned that "this is not only our border, this is the border of the Union State, this is the CSTO border, and the answer will be appropriate." He also defended his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, saying "You didn't believe me when I said, 'You don't need to isolate people.' What are Westerners saying now?" Lukashenko called out striking workers from the state-owned Grodnozhilbud construction company, saying "We will do even without Grodnozhilbud, we have enough builders in the country", and also called out priests participating in the protests, quoting that "People should come to the temples to pray. Churches...are not for politics." Several journalists were detained at the rally.
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On 22 August, the Chairman of the Grodno Region Executive Committee, Vladimir Kravtsov, was dismissed by Lukashenko and replaced by former health minister Vladimir Karanik. Lukashenko appeared at a pro-government rally in Grodno later that afternoon. During the rally, Lukashenko called on the military to defend the western border of Belarus, accusing Warsaw and Vilnius of being behind the protests. The president warned that "this is not only our border, this is the border of the Union State, this is the CSTO border, and the answer will be appropriate." He also defended his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, saying "You didn't believe me when I said, 'You don't need to isolate people.' What are Westerners saying now?" Lukashenko called out striking workers from the state-owned Grodnozhilbud construction company, saying "We will do even without Grodnozhilbud, we have enough builders in the country", and also called out priests participating in the protests, quoting that "People should come to the temples to pray. Churches...are not for politics." Several journalists were detained at the rally. Opposition supporters organised a woman's march against police violence in Minsk which culminated in a vigil at Independence Square where the assembled crowd was addressed by Maria Kalesnikava and Pavel Latushko. Opposition rallies were also held in Grodno and Brest.
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| 974419401 |
2020-08-22T22:47:45Z |
177132(207) |
10354(0) |
400(0) |
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| 974419479 |
2020-08-22T22:48:30Z |
177138(6) |
10354(0) |
401(1) |
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| 974435447 |
2020-08-23T01:19:36Z |
177133(-5) |
10354(0) |
401(0) |
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| 974441717 |
2020-08-23T02:15:49Z |
177171(38) |
10354(0) |
401(0) |
Accounts of witnesses and victims |
Sergei Dylevsky, a steel worker at the Minsk Tractor Works who helped take protesters released from detention to a hospital, recalled that one of them had lost an eye after being beaten at the facility. This evidence sickened Dylevsky and led to his joining the Coordination Council.
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Sergei Dylevsky, a steel worker at the Minsk Tractor Works who helped take protesters released from detention to a hospital, recalled that one of them had lost an eye after being beaten at the facility. This evidence angered Dylevsky and led to his joining the Coordination Council.
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| 974468595 |
2020-08-23T07:11:21Z |
177190(19) |
10354(0) |
401(0) |
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|
|
| 974502036 |
2020-08-23T12:18:56Z |
177841(651) |
10416(62) |
404(3) |
Second week |
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On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the March for a New Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus.
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|
| 974502810 |
2020-08-23T12:24:21Z |
178111(270) |
10440(24) |
405(1) |
Third week |
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the March for a New Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus.
|
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the March for a New Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city.
|
|
| 974503050 |
2020-08-23T12:26:09Z |
180779(2668) |
10440(0) |
405(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974503498 |
2020-08-23T12:28:54Z |
181004(225) |
10456(16) |
406(1) |
Third week |
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the March for a New Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city.
|
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the March for a New Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces.
|
|
| 974503810 |
2020-08-23T12:31:11Z |
181108(104) |
10456(0) |
407(1) |
Third week |
|
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| 974504113 |
2020-08-23T12:33:30Z |
181295(187) |
10478(22) |
408(1) |
Third week |
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the March for a New Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces.
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On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the March for a New Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire.
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|
| 974504607 |
2020-08-23T12:37:34Z |
181430(135) |
10494(16) |
409(1) |
Third week |
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the March for a New Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire.
|
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the March for a New Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum.
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|
| 974508003 |
2020-08-23T13:02:41Z |
181792(362) |
10494(0) |
409(0) |
|
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|
|
| 974508901 |
2020-08-23T13:08:41Z |
181761(-31) |
10487(-7) |
409(0) |
|
On 14 August, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya claimed that she had received between 60 and 70% of the vote and announced the creation of the Coordination Council, with membership applications open to all Belarusians agreeing that the election had been falsified and showing evidence of social leadership and respect.
At the outset of the protests, Alexander Lukashenko has been the head of state of Belarus since 1994. He has been called Europe's "last dictator", having not had a serious challenger in the previous five elections. Under his authoritarian rule, the government has frequently oppressed the opposition.
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On 14 August, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya claimed that she had received 60-70% of the vote and announced the creation of the Coordination Council, with membership applications open to all Belarusians agreeing that the election had been falsified and showing evidence of social leadership and respect.
Alexander Lukashenko has been the head of state of Belarus since 1994, and has not had a serious challenger in the previous five elections, resulting in him being called "Europe's last dictator." Under his authoritarian rule, the government has frequently oppressed the opposition.
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| 974509240 |
2020-08-23T13:11:09Z |
181782(21) |
10487(0) |
410(1) |
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| 974525062 |
2020-08-23T14:52:36Z |
181788(6) |
10488(1) |
410(0) |
Attacks on journalists and censorship |
One of the few communication systems that managed to avoid censorship is the independent Belarusian-owned NEXTA [ru] Telegram channel based in Warsaw. The channel's subscribers rose from 100,000 on election night to over a million after a day. The channel publishes user-generated videos, photos, and comments of the protests. The founder of NEXTA himself is facing up to 15 years of prison after being indicted by the regime. The use of Telegram software is helping the protesters by providing much needed communications. NEXTA Live's audience shot to over 2 million. Its sister channel NEXTA has more than 700,000 followers. Belarus of the Brain's is now over 470,000. Officials opened a criminal probe into NEXTA which has continued to operate despite the arrest of its founder Stepan Putilo, on charges of fomenting mass riots, Igor Losik, who founded Belarus of the Brain, was arrested before the election, but the channel also continues to operate.
It was reported that on 18 June reporters from various countries, arriving in Minsk airport, were pulled out of passport control, interrogated and locked up before being refused entry and being told to buy a plane ticket to some other country, in an attempt to suppress the media.
On 21 August, 72 or 73 web sites were blocked in Belarus, including several independent news portals (Radio Liberty/Free Europe in Belarus svaboda.org, by.tribuna.com sport news, euroradio.fm, belsat.eu, gazetaby.com, the-village.me/news and others), electoral sites of Tsepkalo and Babaryko, "Golos" and "Zubr" platforms, spring96.org human rights portal, several VPN services.
As of 21 August, Belarusian edition of Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper failed to print three editions, and Narodnaja Volya failed to print one newspaper edition (both newspapers had a contract with the government-controlled printing house). The Belarusian association of journalists stated that the real cause was not technical troubles, but an attempt to block information about the protests and violations of human rights.
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One of the few communication systems that managed to avoid censorship is the independent Belarusian-owned NEXTA [ru] Telegram channel based in Warsaw. The channel's subscribers rose from 100,000 on election night to over a million after a day. The channel publishes user-generated videos, photos, and comments of the protests. The founder of NEXTA himself is facing up to 15 years of prison after being indicted by the regime. The use of Telegram software is helping the protesters by providing much needed communications. NEXTA Live's audience shot to over 2 million. Its sister channel NEXTA has more than 700,000 followers. Belarus of the Brain's is now over 470,000. Officials opened a criminal probe into NEXTA which has continued to operate despite the arrest of its founder Stepan Putilo, on charges of fomenting mass riots. Igor Losik, who founded Belarus of the Brain, was arrested before the election, but the channel also continues to operate.
It was reported that on 18 June, reporters from various countries, arriving in Minsk airport, were pulled out of passport control, interrogated and locked up before being refused entry and being told to buy a plane ticket to some other country, in an attempt to suppress the media.
On 21 August, 72 or 73 websites were blocked in Belarus, including several independent news portals (Radio Liberty/Free Europe in Belarus svaboda.org, by.tribuna.com sport news, euroradio.fm, belsat.eu, gazetaby.com, the-village.me/news and others), electoral sites of Tsepkalo and Babaryko, "Golos" and "Zubr" platforms, spring96.org human rights portal, and several VPN services.
As of 21 August, the Belarusian edition of Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper failed to print three editions, and Narodnaja Volya failed to print a newspaper edition (both newspapers had a contract with the government-controlled printing house). The Belarusian Association of Journalists stated that the real cause was not technical troubles, but an attempt to block information about the protests and violations of human rights.
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|
| 974526097 |
2020-08-23T14:58:41Z |
181788(0) |
10488(0) |
410(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974527957 |
2020-08-23T15:08:54Z |
181788(0) |
10488(0) |
410(0) |
Third week |
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the March for a New Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum.
|
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum.
|
|
| 974531572 |
2020-08-23T15:31:34Z |
182159(371) |
10531(43) |
412(2) |
Third week |
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum.
|
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personelle. Afterwards the rally moved onward past State Flag Square towards a presidential residence where security forces had set up a road block with barbed wire and vehicles.
|
|
| 974531710 |
2020-08-23T15:32:29Z |
182187(28) |
10529(-2) |
413(1) |
Third week |
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personelle. Afterwards the rally moved onward past State Flag Square towards a presidential residence where security forces had set up a road block with barbed wire and vehicles.
|
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personelle. Afterwards the rally moved onward past State Flag Square towards a presidential residence where security forces had set up a road block with barbed wire.
|
|
| 974531960 |
2020-08-23T15:33:56Z |
182218(31) |
10529(0) |
413(0) |
Third week |
|
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|
| 974533180 |
2020-08-23T15:41:34Z |
182269(51) |
10529(0) |
414(1) |
Third week |
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personelle. Afterwards the rally moved onward past State Flag Square towards a presidential residence where security forces had set up a road block with barbed wire.
|
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward past State Flag Square towards a presidential residence where security forces had set up a road block with barbed wire.
|
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| 974533227 |
2020-08-23T15:41:47Z |
183159(890) |
10529(0) |
417(3) |
|
|
|
|
| 974534287 |
2020-08-23T15:48:12Z |
183270(111) |
10540(11) |
418(1) |
Third week |
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward past State Flag Square towards a presidential residence where security forces had set up a road block with barbed wire.
|
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces have set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace.
|
|
| 974535164 |
2020-08-23T15:53:27Z |
183816(546) |
10540(0) |
418(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974535440 |
2020-08-23T15:55:01Z |
183914(98) |
10552(12) |
419(1) |
Third week |
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces have set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace.
|
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces have set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace and may be in the process of preparing to evacuate from it.
|
|
| 974537081 |
2020-08-23T16:03:55Z |
184044(130) |
10565(13) |
420(1) |
Third week |
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces have set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace and may be in the process of preparing to evacuate from it.
|
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces have set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace and was in the process of preparing to evacuate from it. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace.
|
|
| 974537568 |
2020-08-23T16:06:55Z |
184113(69) |
10569(4) |
421(1) |
Third week |
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces have set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace and was in the process of preparing to evacuate from it. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace.
|
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces have set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace and was in the process of preparing to evacuate from it. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace.
|
|
| 974537904 |
2020-08-23T16:08:41Z |
184189(76) |
10577(8) |
422(1) |
Third week |
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces have set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace and was in the process of preparing to evacuate from it. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace.
|
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces have set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace and was in the process of preparing to evacuate from it. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed on the roof.
|
|
| 974538575 |
2020-08-23T16:12:54Z |
184314(125) |
10577(0) |
422(0) |
Third week |
|
|
|
| 974538884 |
2020-08-23T16:14:49Z |
184420(106) |
10596(19) |
422(0) |
Third week |
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces have set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace and was in the process of preparing to evacuate from it. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed on the roof.
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On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces have set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace and was in the process of preparing to evacuate from it. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed on the roof. Moments later the helicopter took off again and a motorcade was seen leaving the palace at the same time.
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| 974539049 |
2020-08-23T16:15:40Z |
184651(231) |
10596(0) |
422(0) |
Gallery |
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| 974539193 |
2020-08-23T16:16:29Z |
184660(9) |
10598(2) |
422(0) |
Third week |
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces have set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace and was in the process of preparing to evacuate from it. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed on the roof. Moments later the helicopter took off again and a motorcade was seen leaving the palace at the same time.
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On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces have set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace and was in the process of preparing to evacuate from it. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed on the roof at 19:05. Moments later the helicopter took off again and a motorcade was seen leaving the palace at the same time.
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| 974539503 |
2020-08-23T16:18:19Z |
184666(6) |
10598(0) |
424(2) |
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|
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| 974541284 |
2020-08-23T16:30:07Z |
184669(3) |
10599(1) |
424(0) |
Third week |
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces have set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace and was in the process of preparing to evacuate from it. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed on the roof at 19:05. Moments later the helicopter took off again and a motorcade was seen leaving the palace at the same time.
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On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace and was in the process of preparing to evacuate from it. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed on the roof at 19:05. Moments later the helicopter took off again and a motorcade was seen leaving the palace at the same time.
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|
| 974541624 |
2020-08-23T16:32:19Z |
184563(-106) |
10580(-19) |
424(0) |
Third week |
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace and was in the process of preparing to evacuate from it. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed on the roof at 19:05. Moments later the helicopter took off again and a motorcade was seen leaving the palace at the same time.
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On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace and was in the process of preparing to evacuate from it. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed on the roof at 19:05.
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| 974541717 |
2020-08-23T16:32:59Z |
184566(3) |
10580(0) |
424(0) |
Third week |
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace and was in the process of preparing to evacuate from it. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed on the roof at 19:05.
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On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace and was in the process of preparing to evacuate from it. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05.
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|
| 974541940 |
2020-08-23T16:34:28Z |
184605(39) |
10580(0) |
425(1) |
Third week |
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| 974542848 |
2020-08-23T16:40:12Z |
184549(-56) |
10569(-11) |
425(0) |
Third week |
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace and was in the process of preparing to evacuate from it. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05.
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On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05.
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|
| 974543348 |
2020-08-23T16:43:42Z |
184712(163) |
10588(19) |
426(1) |
Third week |
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05.
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On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun.
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|
| 974544621 |
2020-08-23T16:51:26Z |
184891(179) |
10588(0) |
426(0) |
Third week |
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| 974544856 |
2020-08-23T16:52:50Z |
185018(127) |
10602(14) |
427(1) |
Third week |
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Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk.
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| 974545966 |
2020-08-23T16:59:19Z |
185112(94) |
10613(11) |
428(1) |
Third week |
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel. Afterwards the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun.
Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk.
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On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel.
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk.
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| 974547094 |
2020-08-23T17:05:39Z |
185223(111) |
10634(21) |
428(0) |
Third week |
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk.
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Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?" Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk.
|
|
| 974548112 |
2020-08-23T17:10:46Z |
185321(98) |
10654(20) |
428(0) |
Third week |
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?" Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk.
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Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15 year old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun. Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk.
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|
| 974548756 |
2020-08-23T17:14:10Z |
185514(193) |
10671(17) |
429(1) |
Third week |
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15 year old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun. Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk.
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Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15 year old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun. Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time.
|
|
| 974549077 |
2020-08-23T17:15:55Z |
185618(104) |
10682(11) |
430(1) |
Third week |
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15 year old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun. Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time.
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Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15 year old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun. Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time.
|
|
| 974552512 |
2020-08-23T17:35:34Z |
185808(190) |
10707(25) |
431(1) |
Third week |
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15 year old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun. Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time.
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Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15 year old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun.In a third video, he is seen surveying protestors from a helicopter and is heard saying ""How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to protesters. Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time.
|
|
| 974552660 |
2020-08-23T17:36:31Z |
185807(-1) |
10707(0) |
431(0) |
Third week |
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15 year old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun.In a third video, he is seen surveying protestors from a helicopter and is heard saying ""How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to protesters. Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time.
|
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15 year old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun.In a third video, he is seen surveying protestors from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to protesters. Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time.
|
|
| 974552833 |
2020-08-23T17:37:35Z |
185808(1) |
10708(1) |
431(0) |
Third week |
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15 year old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun.In a third video, he is seen surveying protestors from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to protesters. Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time.
|
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15 year old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun. In a third video, he is seen surveying protestors from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to protesters. Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time.
|
|
| 974556300 |
2020-08-23T17:58:09Z |
185970(162) |
10730(22) |
432(1) |
Third week |
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15 year old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun. In a third video, he is seen surveying protestors from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to protesters. Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time.
|
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15 year old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun. In a third video, he is seen surveying protestors from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to protesters. Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time. The presidential helicopter was seen leaving the palace at about 20:47 and it was unknown if Lukashenko was on board or not.
|
|
| 974556416 |
2020-08-23T17:58:47Z |
185969(-1) |
10730(0) |
432(0) |
Third week |
|
|
|
| 974557357 |
2020-08-23T18:04:06Z |
186026(57) |
10730(0) |
432(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974557416 |
2020-08-23T18:04:26Z |
186196(170) |
10753(23) |
433(1) |
Third week |
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15 year old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun. In a third video, he is seen surveying protestors from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to protesters. Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time. The presidential helicopter was seen leaving the palace at about 20:47 and it was unknown if Lukashenko was on board or not.
|
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15 year old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun. In a third video, he is seen surveying protestors from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to the protesters. In a fourth video, Lukashenko was seen removing the former flag of Belarus from a flower bed and waving at security personnel. Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time. The presidential helicopter was seen leaving the palace at about 20:47 and it was unknown if Lukashenko was on board or not.
|
|
| 974558923 |
2020-08-23T18:12:55Z |
186236(40) |
10759(6) |
433(0) |
Third week |
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15 year old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun. In a third video, he is seen surveying protestors from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to the protesters. In a fourth video, Lukashenko was seen removing the former flag of Belarus from a flower bed and waving at security personnel. Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time. The presidential helicopter was seen leaving the palace at about 20:47 and it was unknown if Lukashenko was on board or not.
|
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15 year old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun. In a third video, he is seen surveying protestors from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to the protesters. In a fourth video, Lukashenko was seen removing the former flag of Belarus from a flower bed and waving at security personnel whilst telling them they are "handsome". Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time. The presidential helicopter was seen leaving the palace at about 20:47 and it was unknown if Lukashenko was on board or not.
|
|
| 974559159 |
2020-08-23T18:14:15Z |
186297(61) |
10769(10) |
433(0) |
Third week |
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15 year old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun. In a third video, he is seen surveying protestors from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to the protesters. In a fourth video, Lukashenko was seen removing the former flag of Belarus from a flower bed and waving at security personnel whilst telling them they are "handsome". Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time. The presidential helicopter was seen leaving the palace at about 20:47 and it was unknown if Lukashenko was on board or not.
|
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15 year old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun. In a third video, he is seen surveying protestors from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to the protesters. In a fourth video, Lukashenko was seen removing the former flag of Belarus from a flower bed, waving at security personnel whilst telling them they are "handsome" and in reference to protesters, saying "we will deal with them". Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time. The presidential helicopter was seen leaving the palace at about 20:47 and it was unknown if Lukashenko was on board or not.
|
|
| 974563040 |
2020-08-23T18:37:14Z |
186365(68) |
10769(0) |
434(1) |
Third week |
|
|
|
| 974564061 |
2020-08-23T18:43:54Z |
186391(26) |
10772(3) |
434(0) |
Third week |
On 23 August, a large rally dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel.
|
On 23 August, a rally of approximately 100,000 people dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel.
|
|
| 974568852 |
2020-08-23T19:14:01Z |
185677(-714) |
10704(-68) |
433(-1) |
International reactions |
According to China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Belarus can maintain order and stability through internal efforts. He stated that China respects the path chosen by Belarus and efforts to protect the country's sovereignty, security and development. China's Foreign Ministry Spoeksperson said, "as good friends and partners, we do not hope that the situation in Belarus will escalate into chaos and oppose external forces triggering division and disturbances in Belarusian society."
|
|
|
| 974569421 |
2020-08-23T19:18:20Z |
186030(353) |
10729(25) |
434(1) |
Third week |
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15 year old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun. In a third video, he is seen surveying protestors from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to the protesters. In a fourth video, Lukashenko was seen removing the former flag of Belarus from a flower bed, waving at security personnel whilst telling them they are "handsome" and in reference to protesters, saying "we will deal with them". Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time. The presidential helicopter was seen leaving the palace at about 20:47 and it was unknown if Lukashenko was on board or not.
|
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15 year old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun. In a third video, he is seen surveying protestors from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to the protesters. In a fourth video, Lukashenko was seen removing the former flag of Belarus from a flower bed, waving at security personnel whilst telling them they are "handsome" and in reference to protesters, saying "we will deal with them". Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time. The presidential helicopter was seen leaving the palace at about 20:47 and it was unknown if Lukashenko was on board or not. The official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs claimed that 30,000 people attended pro-government demonstrations in the past day, against 6,100 attending anti-government demonstrations.
|
|
| 974577642 |
2020-08-23T19:59:43Z |
186434(404) |
10729(0) |
435(1) |
|
|
|
|
| 974579757 |
2020-08-23T20:10:39Z |
186412(-22) |
10729(0) |
435(0) |
Symbols |
|
|
|
| 974581737 |
2020-08-23T20:20:33Z |
186440(28) |
10734(5) |
435(0) |
Human rights issues |
Mike Pompeo, United States Secretary of State in a 20 August statement said the USA support international efforts to independently look into Belarus’ electoral irregularities, the human rights abuses surrounding the election, and the crackdown that has followed.
In a 21 August statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, it was noted that, despite the majority of the detainees being released, serious concerns about the eight missing protesters and the sixty accused of serious criminal acts, the statement underlined the lack of information about the detainees' status and called for the government to stop unlawfully detaining people. The Commissioner also confirmed that there had been four deaths and were greatly concerned about allegations of large-scale torture and ill-treatment of people, including journalists and children.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs in Belarus has rejected allegations of abuse and torture of citizens detained during disturbances.
|
In a 20 August statement by the United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, it was underlined the USA supported international efforts to independently look into Belarus’ electoral irregularities, the human rights abuses surrounding the election, and the crackdown that had followed.
In a 21 August statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, it was noted that, despite the majority of the detainees being released, serious concerns remained about the eight missing protesters and the sixty accused of serious criminal acts. The statement underlined the lack of information about the detainees' status and called for the government to stop unlawfully detaining people. The Commissioner also confirmed that there had been four deaths and were greatly concerned about allegations of large-scale torture and ill-treatment of people, including journalists and children.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus rejected allegations of abuse and torture of citizens detained during the protests.
|
|
| 974582155 |
2020-08-23T20:22:49Z |
186480(40) |
10734(0) |
435(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974585845 |
2020-08-23T20:42:57Z |
187968(1488) |
10734(0) |
435(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974593610 |
2020-08-23T21:32:16Z |
187986(18) |
10734(0) |
435(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974594057 |
2020-08-23T21:35:09Z |
187985(-1) |
10734(0) |
436(1) |
|
|
|
|
| 974595696 |
2020-08-23T21:46:32Z |
187985(0) |
10734(0) |
436(0) |
Third week |
On 23 August, a rally of approximately 100,000 people dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel.
|
On 23 August, a rally of approximately 250,000 people dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel.
|
|
| 974611730 |
2020-08-23T23:58:20Z |
188013(28) |
10734(0) |
436(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974643706 |
2020-08-24T05:00:20Z |
187984(-29) |
10734(0) |
436(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974671886 |
2020-08-24T09:42:31Z |
188326(342) |
10772(38) |
437(1) |
Third week |
|
On 24 August, presidium members of the Coordination Council, Sergei Dylevsky and Olga Kovalkova were detained by the security services whilst attempting to support striking workers at the Minsk Tractor Works factory. Lilia Vlasova was also summoned for questioning.
|
|
| 974686906 |
2020-08-24T12:11:49Z |
188330(4) |
10772(0) |
437(0) |
Third week |
|
|
|
| 974690436 |
2020-08-24T12:44:26Z |
189084(754) |
10772(0) |
440(3) |
Third week |
On 24 August, presidium members of the Coordination Council, Sergei Dylevsky and Olga Kovalkova were detained by the security services whilst attempting to support striking workers at the Minsk Tractor Works factory. Lilia Vlasova was also summoned for questioning.
|
On 24 August, presidium members of the Coordination Council, Sergei Dylevsky and Olga Kovalkova were detained by the security services whilst attempting to support striking workers at the Minsk Tractor Works factory.
Lilia Vlasova was also summoned for questioning.
|
|
| 974692704 |
2020-08-24T13:01:48Z |
189084(0) |
10772(0) |
440(0) |
Third week |
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15 year old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun. In a third video, he is seen surveying protestors from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to the protesters. In a fourth video, Lukashenko was seen removing the former flag of Belarus from a flower bed, waving at security personnel whilst telling them they are "handsome" and in reference to protesters, saying "we will deal with them". Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time. The presidential helicopter was seen leaving the palace at about 20:47 and it was unknown if Lukashenko was on board or not. The official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs claimed that 30,000 people attended pro-government demonstrations in the past day, against 6,100 attending anti-government demonstrations.
|
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15 year old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun. In a third video, he is seen surveying protesters from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to the protesters. In a fourth video, Lukashenko was seen removing the former flag of Belarus from a flower bed, waving at security personnel whilst telling them they are "handsome" and in reference to protesters, saying "we will deal with them". Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time. The presidential helicopter was seen leaving the palace at about 20:47 and it was unknown if Lukashenko was on board or not. The official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs claimed that 30,000 people attended pro-government demonstrations in the past day, against 6,100 attending anti-government demonstrations.
|
|
| 974693425 |
2020-08-24T13:07:29Z |
189084(0) |
10770(-2) |
440(0) |
Third week |
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15 year old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun. In a third video, he is seen surveying protesters from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to the protesters. In a fourth video, Lukashenko was seen removing the former flag of Belarus from a flower bed, waving at security personnel whilst telling them they are "handsome" and in reference to protesters, saying "we will deal with them". Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time. The presidential helicopter was seen leaving the palace at about 20:47 and it was unknown if Lukashenko was on board or not. The official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs claimed that 30,000 people attended pro-government demonstrations in the past day, against 6,100 attending anti-government demonstrations.
|
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15-year-old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun. In a third video, he is seen surveying protesters from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to the protesters. In a fourth video, Lukashenko was seen removing the former flag of Belarus from a flower bed, waving at security personnel whilst telling them they are "handsome" and in reference to protesters, saying "we will deal with them". Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time. The presidential helicopter was seen leaving the palace at about 20:47 and it was unknown if Lukashenko was on board or not. The official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs claimed that 30,000 people attended pro-government demonstrations in the past day, against 6,100 attending anti-government demonstrations.
|
|
| 974693851 |
2020-08-24T13:10:20Z |
189089(5) |
10771(1) |
440(0) |
Post-election |
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so. She urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protesters to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A small number of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Independence Square in Minsk.
On 23 August, a rally of approximately 250,000 people dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise secutity personnel.
|
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition, and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so. She urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protesters to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A small number of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Independence Square in Minsk.
On 23 August, a rally of approximately 250,000 people dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise security personnel.
|
|
| 974693903 |
2020-08-24T13:10:59Z |
189109(20) |
10774(3) |
440(0) |
Third week |
Lilia Vlasova was also summoned for questioning.
|
Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko were also summoned for questioning.
|
|
| 974695138 |
2020-08-24T13:22:00Z |
189107(-2) |
10774(0) |
440(0) |
|
The 2020 Belarusian protests, nicknamed the Slipper Revolution and the Anti-Cockroach Revolution, are a series of political demonstrations against the Belarusian government and President Alexander Lukashenko. The demonstrations, part of the Belarusian democracy movement, began in the lead-up to and during the 2020 presidential election, in which Lukashenko sought a sixth term in office. In response, a number of relatively small pro-Lukashenko demonstrations were held.
The movement was initiated by businessman and blogger Siarhei Tsikhanouski. He compared Lukashenko to the cockroach in the children's poem The Monster Cockroach (Russian: "Тараканище") by Korney Chukovsky. The original story, published in 1923, concerns a dictatorial yet fragile insect and his brief, chaotic reign of terror over all the other animals. It has been compared to The Emperor's New Clothes. In the original poem, the cockroach is eventually eaten by a sparrow, while Tsikhanouski refers to a slipper signifying stamping on the cockroach. Tsikhanouski traveled across Belarus and streamed interviews with random people on his YouTube channel, Strana Dlya Zhizni (Country for Life). Most of the time, people disagreed with Lukashenko and the current government.
|
The 2020 Belarusian protests are a series of political demonstrations against the Belarusian government and President Alexander Lukashenko. The demonstrations, part of the Belarusian democracy movement, began in the lead-up to and during the 2020 presidential election, in which Lukashenko sought a sixth term in office. In response, a number of relatively small pro-Lukashenko demonstrations were held.
The protests, nicknamed the Slipper Revolution and the Anti-Cockroach Revolution, were initiated by businessman and blogger Siarhei Tsikhanouski. He compared Lukashenko to the cockroach in the children's poem The Monster Cockroach (Russian: "Тараканище") by Korney Chukovsky. The original story, published in 1923, concerns a dictatorial yet fragile insect and his brief, chaotic reign of terror over all the other animals. It has been compared to The Emperor's New Clothes. In the original poem, the cockroach is eventually eaten by a sparrow, while Tsikhanouski refers to a slipper signifying stamping on the cockroach. Tsikhanouski traveled across Belarus and streamed interviews with random people on his YouTube channel, Strana Dlya Zhizni (Country for Life). Most of the time, people disagreed with Lukashenko and the current government.
|
|
| 974696243 |
2020-08-24T13:31:57Z |
189366(259) |
10802(28) |
442(2) |
Third week |
Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko were also summoned for questioning.
|
Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko were also summoned for questioning. Police appeared to be less tolerant of protests, rallies and strikes, actively breaking up lines of solidarity in Minsk and arresting leaders of strikes at state-owned enterprises.
|
|
| 974704452 |
2020-08-24T14:34:07Z |
189788(422) |
10833(31) |
444(2) |
Third week |
Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko were also summoned for questioning. Police appeared to be less tolerant of protests, rallies and strikes, actively breaking up lines of solidarity in Minsk and arresting leaders of strikes at state-owned enterprises.
|
Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko were also summoned for questioning. Police appeared to be less tolerant of protests, rallies and strikes, actively breaking up lines of solidarity in Minsk and arresting leaders of strikes at state-owned enterprises. Lithuania accused the Belarusian armed forces of violating its airspace the previous day. Belarus claimed that its air force was attempting to prevent balloons depicting "anti-state symbols" from crossing the border.
|
|
| 974704906 |
2020-08-24T14:37:40Z |
189982(194) |
10855(22) |
445(1) |
Third week |
Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko were also summoned for questioning. Police appeared to be less tolerant of protests, rallies and strikes, actively breaking up lines of solidarity in Minsk and arresting leaders of strikes at state-owned enterprises. Lithuania accused the Belarusian armed forces of violating its airspace the previous day. Belarus claimed that its air force was attempting to prevent balloons depicting "anti-state symbols" from crossing the border.
|
Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko were also summoned for questioning. Police appeared to be less tolerant of protests, rallies and strikes, actively breaking up lines of solidarity in Minsk and arresting leaders of strikes at state-owned enterprises. Alexander Lukashenko issued a statement in which he threatened dismissal for school teachers who do not follow "state ideology" The Government of Lithuania accused the Belarusian armed forces of violating Lithuanian airspace the previous day. Belarus claimed that its air force was attempting to prevent balloons depicting "anti-state symbols" from crossing the border.
|
|
| 974705014 |
2020-08-24T14:38:20Z |
189984(2) |
10856(1) |
445(0) |
Third week |
Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko were also summoned for questioning. Police appeared to be less tolerant of protests, rallies and strikes, actively breaking up lines of solidarity in Minsk and arresting leaders of strikes at state-owned enterprises. Alexander Lukashenko issued a statement in which he threatened dismissal for school teachers who do not follow "state ideology" The Government of Lithuania accused the Belarusian armed forces of violating Lithuanian airspace the previous day. Belarus claimed that its air force was attempting to prevent balloons depicting "anti-state symbols" from crossing the border.
|
Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko were also summoned for questioning. Police appeared to be less tolerant of protests, rallies and strikes, actively breaking up lines of solidarity in Minsk and arresting leaders of strikes at state-owned enterprises. Alexander Lukashenko issued a statement in which he threatened dismissal for school teachers who do not follow "state ideology". The Government of Lithuania accused the Belarusian armed forces of violating Lithuanian airspace the previous day. Belarus claimed that its air force was attempting to prevent balloons depicting "anti-state symbols" from crossing the border.
|
|
| 974705262 |
2020-08-24T14:40:45Z |
189991(7) |
10856(0) |
445(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974705636 |
2020-08-24T14:43:53Z |
189994(3) |
10857(1) |
445(0) |
Third week |
Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko were also summoned for questioning. Police appeared to be less tolerant of protests, rallies and strikes, actively breaking up lines of solidarity in Minsk and arresting leaders of strikes at state-owned enterprises. Alexander Lukashenko issued a statement in which he threatened dismissal for school teachers who do not follow "state ideology". The Government of Lithuania accused the Belarusian armed forces of violating Lithuanian airspace the previous day. Belarus claimed that its air force was attempting to prevent balloons depicting "anti-state symbols" from crossing the border.
|
Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko were also summoned for questioning. Police appeared to be less tolerant of protests, rallies and strikes, actively breaking up lines of solidarity in Minsk and arresting leaders of strikes at state-owned enterprises. Alexander Lukashenko issued a statement in which he threatened dismissal for school teachers who do not follow "state ideology". The Government of Lithuania accused the Belarusian armed forces of violating Lithuanian airspace on the previous day. Belarus claimed that its air force was attempting to prevent balloons depicting "anti-state symbols" from crossing the border.
|
|
| 974705960 |
2020-08-24T14:46:38Z |
189994(0) |
10857(0) |
445(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974721791 |
2020-08-24T16:36:56Z |
190018(24) |
10857(0) |
445(0) |
|
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15-year-old son, Nikoli, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun. In a third video, he is seen surveying protesters from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to the protesters. In a fourth video, Lukashenko was seen removing the former flag of Belarus from a flower bed, waving at security personnel whilst telling them they are "handsome" and in reference to protesters, saying "we will deal with them". Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time. The presidential helicopter was seen leaving the palace at about 20:47 and it was unknown if Lukashenko was on board or not. The official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs claimed that 30,000 people attended pro-government demonstrations in the past day, against 6,100 attending anti-government demonstrations.
|
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15-year-old son, Nikolai, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun. In a third video, he is seen surveying protesters from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to the protesters. In a fourth video, Lukashenko was seen removing the former flag of Belarus from a flower bed, waving at security personnel whilst telling them they are "handsome" and in reference to protesters, saying "we will deal with them". Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time. The presidential helicopter was seen leaving the palace at about 20:47 and it was unknown if Lukashenko was on board or not. The official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs claimed that 30,000 people attended pro-government demonstrations in the past day, against 6,100 attending anti-government demonstrations.
|
|
| 974731604 |
2020-08-24T17:51:00Z |
190019(1) |
10857(0) |
445(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974736091 |
2020-08-24T18:20:20Z |
190223(204) |
10881(24) |
446(1) |
Third week |
Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko were also summoned for questioning. Police appeared to be less tolerant of protests, rallies and strikes, actively breaking up lines of solidarity in Minsk and arresting leaders of strikes at state-owned enterprises. Alexander Lukashenko issued a statement in which he threatened dismissal for school teachers who do not follow "state ideology". The Government of Lithuania accused the Belarusian armed forces of violating Lithuanian airspace on the previous day. Belarus claimed that its air force was attempting to prevent balloons depicting "anti-state symbols" from crossing the border.
|
Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko were also summoned for questioning. Police appeared to be less tolerant of protests, rallies and strikes, actively breaking up lines of solidarity in Minsk and arresting leaders of strikes at state-owned enterprises. Alexander Lukashenko issued a statement in which he threatened dismissal for school teachers who do not follow "state ideology". The Government of Lithuania accused the Belarusian armed forces of violating Lithuanian airspace on the previous day. Belarus claimed that its air force was attempting to prevent balloons depicting "anti-state symbols" from crossing the border. An employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was fired after he had attended an anti-Lukashenko rally the previous week with another Ministry employee.
|
|
| 974736337 |
2020-08-24T18:22:03Z |
190276(53) |
10887(6) |
446(0) |
Third week |
Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko were also summoned for questioning. Police appeared to be less tolerant of protests, rallies and strikes, actively breaking up lines of solidarity in Minsk and arresting leaders of strikes at state-owned enterprises. Alexander Lukashenko issued a statement in which he threatened dismissal for school teachers who do not follow "state ideology". The Government of Lithuania accused the Belarusian armed forces of violating Lithuanian airspace on the previous day. Belarus claimed that its air force was attempting to prevent balloons depicting "anti-state symbols" from crossing the border. An employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was fired after he had attended an anti-Lukashenko rally the previous week with another Ministry employee.
|
Three other presidium members, Svetlana Alexievich, Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko, were also summoned for questioning. Police appeared to be less tolerant of protests, rallies and strikes, actively breaking up lines of solidarity in Minsk and arresting leaders of strikes at state-owned enterprises. Alexander Lukashenko issued a statement in which he threatened dismissal for school teachers who do not follow "state ideology". The Government of Lithuania accused the Belarusian armed forces of violating Lithuanian airspace on the previous day. Belarus claimed that its air force was attempting to prevent balloons depicting "anti-state symbols" from crossing the border. An employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was fired after he had attended an anti-Lukashenko rally the previous week with another Ministry employee.
|
|
| 974737337 |
2020-08-24T18:28:49Z |
190560(284) |
10914(27) |
449(3) |
Third week |
Three other presidium members, Svetlana Alexievich, Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko, were also summoned for questioning. Police appeared to be less tolerant of protests, rallies and strikes, actively breaking up lines of solidarity in Minsk and arresting leaders of strikes at state-owned enterprises. Alexander Lukashenko issued a statement in which he threatened dismissal for school teachers who do not follow "state ideology". The Government of Lithuania accused the Belarusian armed forces of violating Lithuanian airspace on the previous day. Belarus claimed that its air force was attempting to prevent balloons depicting "anti-state symbols" from crossing the border. An employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was fired after he had attended an anti-Lukashenko rally the previous week with another Ministry employee.
|
Three other presidium members, Svetlana Alexievich, Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko, were also summoned for questioning. Police appeared to be less tolerant of protests, rallies and strikes, actively breaking up lines of solidarity in Minsk and arresting leaders of strikes at state-owned enterprises. Despite an increased police presence, groups of protesters were still able to gather in Independence Square in Minsk, where they shouted "Leave" and also in Grodno. Alexander Lukashenko issued a statement in which he threatened dismissal for school teachers who do not follow "state ideology". The Government of Lithuania accused the Belarusian armed forces of violating Lithuanian airspace on the previous day. Belarus claimed that its air force was attempting to prevent balloons depicting "anti-state symbols" from crossing the border. An employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was fired after he had attended an anti-Lukashenko rally the previous week with another Ministry employee.
|
|
| 974738738 |
2020-08-24T18:40:08Z |
190610(50) |
10914(0) |
450(1) |
Third week |
|
|
|
| 974738863 |
2020-08-24T18:41:00Z |
190660(50) |
10914(0) |
451(1) |
Third week |
|
|
|
| 974741459 |
2020-08-24T19:00:36Z |
190884(224) |
10932(18) |
452(1) |
Third week |
Three other presidium members, Svetlana Alexievich, Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko, were also summoned for questioning. Police appeared to be less tolerant of protests, rallies and strikes, actively breaking up lines of solidarity in Minsk and arresting leaders of strikes at state-owned enterprises. Despite an increased police presence, groups of protesters were still able to gather in Independence Square in Minsk, where they shouted "Leave" and also in Grodno. Alexander Lukashenko issued a statement in which he threatened dismissal for school teachers who do not follow "state ideology". The Government of Lithuania accused the Belarusian armed forces of violating Lithuanian airspace on the previous day. Belarus claimed that its air force was attempting to prevent balloons depicting "anti-state symbols" from crossing the border. An employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was fired after he had attended an anti-Lukashenko rally the previous week with another Ministry employee.
|
Three other presidium members, Svetlana Alexievich, Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko, were also summoned for questioning. Police appeared to be less tolerant of protests, rallies and strikes, actively breaking up lines of solidarity in Minsk and arresting leaders of strikes at state-owned enterprises. Despite an increased police presence, groups of protesters were still able to gather in Independence Square in Minsk, where they shouted "Leave" and also in Grodno. Alexander Lukashenko issued a statement in which he threatened dismissal for school teachers who do not follow "state ideology". The Government of Lithuania accused the Belarusian armed forces of violating Lithuanian airspace by as much as 3 km on the previous day. and handed a note of protest to the Belarusian ambassador in Vilnius. Belarus claimed that its air force was attempting to prevent balloons depicting "anti-state symbols" from crossing the border. An employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was fired after he had attended an anti-Lukashenko rally the previous week with another Ministry employee.
|
|
| 974741778 |
2020-08-24T19:02:56Z |
190940(56) |
10935(3) |
453(1) |
Third week |
Three other presidium members, Svetlana Alexievich, Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko, were also summoned for questioning. Police appeared to be less tolerant of protests, rallies and strikes, actively breaking up lines of solidarity in Minsk and arresting leaders of strikes at state-owned enterprises. Despite an increased police presence, groups of protesters were still able to gather in Independence Square in Minsk, where they shouted "Leave" and also in Grodno. Alexander Lukashenko issued a statement in which he threatened dismissal for school teachers who do not follow "state ideology". The Government of Lithuania accused the Belarusian armed forces of violating Lithuanian airspace by as much as 3 km on the previous day. and handed a note of protest to the Belarusian ambassador in Vilnius. Belarus claimed that its air force was attempting to prevent balloons depicting "anti-state symbols" from crossing the border. An employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was fired after he had attended an anti-Lukashenko rally the previous week with another Ministry employee.
|
Three other presidium members, Svetlana Alexievich, Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko, were also summoned for questioning. Police appeared to be less tolerant of protests, rallies and strikes, actively breaking up lines of solidarity in Minsk and arresting leaders of strikes at state-owned enterprises. Despite an increased police presence, groups of protesters were still able to gather in Independence Square in Minsk, where they shouted "Leave" and also in Grodno and in Brest. Alexander Lukashenko issued a statement in which he threatened dismissal for school teachers who do not follow "state ideology". The Government of Lithuania accused the Belarusian armed forces of violating Lithuanian airspace by as much as 3 km on the previous day. and handed a note of protest to the Belarusian ambassador in Vilnius. Belarus claimed that its air force was attempting to prevent balloons depicting "anti-state symbols" from crossing the border. An employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was fired after he had attended an anti-Lukashenko rally the previous week with another Ministry employee.
|
|
| 974815311 |
2020-08-25T05:11:27Z |
190950(10) |
10937(2) |
453(0) |
|
The 2020 Belarusian protests are a series of political demonstrations against the Belarusian government and President Alexander Lukashenko. The demonstrations, part of the Belarusian democracy movement, began in the lead-up to and during the 2020 presidential election, in which Lukashenko sought a sixth term in office. In response, a number of relatively small pro-Lukashenko demonstrations were held.
|
The 2020 Belarusian protests are a series of political demonstrations against the Belarusian government and President Alexander Lukashenko. The demonstrations, which are part of the Belarusian democracy movement, began in the lead-up to and during the 2020 presidential election, in which Lukashenko sought a sixth term in office. In response, a number of relatively small pro-Lukashenko demonstrations were held.
|
|
| 974827072 |
2020-08-25T07:19:25Z |
190993(43) |
10942(5) |
453(0) |
Third week |
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15-year-old son, Nikolai, was seen with him dressed up as a riot policeman and holding a gun. In a third video, he is seen surveying protesters from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to the protesters. In a fourth video, Lukashenko was seen removing the former flag of Belarus from a flower bed, waving at security personnel whilst telling them they are "handsome" and in reference to protesters, saying "we will deal with them". Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time. The presidential helicopter was seen leaving the palace at about 20:47 and it was unknown if Lukashenko was on board or not. The official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs claimed that 30,000 people attended pro-government demonstrations in the past day, against 6,100 attending anti-government demonstrations.
Three other presidium members, Svetlana Alexievich, Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko, were also summoned for questioning. Police appeared to be less tolerant of protests, rallies and strikes, actively breaking up lines of solidarity in Minsk and arresting leaders of strikes at state-owned enterprises. Despite an increased police presence, groups of protesters were still able to gather in Independence Square in Minsk, where they shouted "Leave" and also in Grodno and in Brest. Alexander Lukashenko issued a statement in which he threatened dismissal for school teachers who do not follow "state ideology". The Government of Lithuania accused the Belarusian armed forces of violating Lithuanian airspace by as much as 3 km on the previous day. and handed a note of protest to the Belarusian ambassador in Vilnius. Belarus claimed that its air force was attempting to prevent balloons depicting "anti-state symbols" from crossing the border. An employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was fired after he had attended an anti-Lukashenko rally the previous week with another Ministry employee.
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Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15-year-old son, Nikolai, was seen with him dressed in military uniform and holding a gun. In a third video, he is seen surveying protesters from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to the protesters. In a fourth video, Lukashenko was seen removing the former flag of Belarus from a flower bed, waving at security personnel whilst telling them they are "handsome" and in reference to protesters, saying "we will deal with them". Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time. The presidential helicopter was seen leaving the palace at about 20:47 and it was unknown if Lukashenko was on board or not. The official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs claimed that 30,000 people attended pro-government demonstrations in the past day, against 6,100 attending anti-government demonstrations.
Three other presidium members, Svetlana Alexievich, Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko, were also summoned for questioning. Police appeared to be less tolerant of protests, rallies and strikes, actively breaking up lines of solidarity in Minsk and arresting leaders of strikes at state-owned enterprises. Despite an increased police presence, groups of protesters were still able to gather in Independence Square in Minsk, where they shouted "Leave" and also in Grodno and in Brest. Alexander Lukashenko issued a statement in which he threatened dismissal for school teachers who do not follow "state ideology". An employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was fired after he had attended an anti-Lukashenko rally the previous week with another Ministry employee. The Government of Lithuania handed a note of protest to the Belarusian ambassador in Vilnius accusing the Belarusian armed forces of violating Lithuanian airspace by as much as 3 km the previous day. Belarus claimed that its air force was attempting to prevent balloons depicting the former flag of Belarus, which was described as an "anti-state symbol", from crossing the border.
|
|
| 974839891 |
2020-08-25T09:37:32Z |
192336(1343) |
10942(0) |
453(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974851898 |
2020-08-25T11:37:48Z |
192372(36) |
10942(0) |
453(0) |
|
On 14 August, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya claimed that she had received 60-70% of the vote and announced the creation of the Coordination Council, with membership applications open to all Belarusians agreeing that the election had been falsified and showing evidence of social leadership and respect.
In a Tut.by interview with the hospitalized police violence victims, it was reported that some of them had been beaten by eight to ten fully equipped police officers at once, while being ordered to lay down and keep their hands behind their heads. Such beatings could last for hours and were accompanied by humiliating acts such as cutting the detainees' hair and ordering them to eat it. The beaten detainees were constantly asked by the police officers who their coordinators were and who had paid them to attend the protest. Some detainees had their underwear torn apart and had truncheons put closely to their rectal area while being beaten and receiving rape threats. According to one of the former detainees, he was beaten to a point where he could not react to the reality anymore and, after it was noticed by the police officers, he was thrown on the concrete floor and repeatedly spilled with cold water, after which he lost consciousness and woke up in a hospital. The former detainees report they were ordered to say they loved OMON (Russian: ОМОН - Отряд Милиции Особого Назначения; Special Purpose Police Unit) and were forced to sing the state anthem of Belarus, while the female detainees were constantly threatened with rape. According to one of the former detainees, a detained female medical volunteer was not beaten but was repeatedly insulted by the police officers until she started crying. If "suspicious" items (such as resin gloves, respirators, knives of any size or even barrettes) were found in the detainees' personal belongings, they were beaten even harder, as they were considered by the police to be the "organizers" and "coordinators" of the protest. According to witness' reports, some people arriving in the detention center showed signs of severe rubber bullet wounds on their heads and necks and had to be quickly transported to the military hospital or, if their condition was critical, to the closest civilian hospital. Meanwhile, some of the OMON officers present there were beating even the severely wounded detainees, while screaming and threatening the doctors who tried to help them. On several occasions, doctors were refused their requests to release the detainees in grave condition. According to one of the former detainees, when he was released from a detention center and sent to a hospital, the ambulance that transported him had its tires perforated by unknown men in cars with tinted glass.
A former detainee who was initially transported to the Savyetski District RUVD (Russian: РУВД - Районное Управление Внутренних Дел; District Department of Internal Affairs) reported that around 80 people were lined along a wall there and were forced to stay for 24 hours with their hands behind their heads, including the ones with broken hands, who were refused medical attention. According to him, the detainees were beaten there and threatened by police officers with execution by shooting, which they claimed they had direct orders to perform, and were allowed to sit only during a night for a total of 15 minutes. According to another former detainee who was initially transported to the Partyzanski District RUVD, the detainees there (around 30 in total) were severely beaten, taken to a basement and ordered to sing the anthem of Belarus on multiple occasions. A female former detainee who was transported to the Maskowski District RUVD reported that during the early stages of detention she was repeatedly beaten, accused of being a "protest coordinator" and demanded to name the people who paid her. In the RUVD, she was taken to a hall where the floor was covered with blood and vomit, was ordered to lay down and threatened to have her dreadlocks cut off. During interrogation by 7 police officers, she was demanded to tell who paid her for the subversion and at some point was knocked out of a chair, ordered to lay down and was beaten with truncheons each time her answers weren't considered satisfactory. After the interrogation, she was taken to a hall with about 40 or more detainees and had her clothes marked with an aerosol paint, which, as she learned later, was a message to other police officers meaning she was one of the most active protesters. In the Okrestina detention center, she, along with other 35-40 women, was put in a four-people cell where she spent another 3 days. Another female former detainee reported that at some point she was taken to a six-people cell with 50 other detainees who were refused food and had no access to clean water. During her last night there, the Okrestina staff knocked on the cell door once in an hour, preventing the detainees from sleeping. The detainees there were nearly suffocating and restrained from talking in order to preserve as much oxygen as possible. When she was transported to a detention center in Zhodzina, she received food for the first time in three days and heard local staff referring to Okrestina as Auschwitz concentration camp. Another female former detainee from Okrestina, who was arrested by 10 OMON officers as an independent observer during the elections and was put in a four-people cell with 35 other women, reported that all the detainees' requests for more air were met with an opened door and a splash of water. The detainees there were constantly humiliated and refused means of personal hygiene, such as sanitary napkins. During the night, when male detainees were taken out of their cells, she heard sounds of severe beatings and screams, and, in the morning, saw the corridor walls of the Okrestina covered with blood.
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On 14 August, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya claimed that she had received 60–70% of the vote and announced the creation of the Coordination Council, with membership applications open to all Belarusians agreeing that the election had been falsified and showing evidence of social leadership and respect.
In a Tut.by interview with the hospitalized police violence victims, it was reported that some of them had been beaten by eight to ten fully equipped police officers at once, while being ordered to lay down and keep their hands behind their heads. Such beatings could last for hours and were accompanied by humiliating acts such as cutting the detainees' hair and ordering them to eat it. The beaten detainees were constantly asked by the police officers who their coordinators were and who had paid them to attend the protest. Some detainees had their underwear torn apart and had truncheons put closely to their rectal area while being beaten and receiving rape threats. According to one of the former detainees, he was beaten to a point where he could not react to the reality anymore and, after it was noticed by the police officers, he was thrown on the concrete floor and repeatedly spilled with cold water, after which he lost consciousness and woke up in a hospital. The former detainees report they were ordered to say they loved OMON (Russian: ОМОН – Отряд Милиции Особого Назначения; Special Purpose Police Unit) and were forced to sing the state anthem of Belarus, while the female detainees were constantly threatened with rape. According to one of the former detainees, a detained female medical volunteer was not beaten but was repeatedly insulted by the police officers until she started crying. If "suspicious" items (such as resin gloves, respirators, knives of any size or even barrettes) were found in the detainees' personal belongings, they were beaten even harder, as they were considered by the police to be the "organizers" and "coordinators" of the protest. According to witness' reports, some people arriving in the detention center showed signs of severe rubber bullet wounds on their heads and necks and had to be quickly transported to the military hospital or, if their condition was critical, to the closest civilian hospital. Meanwhile, some of the OMON officers present there were beating even the severely wounded detainees, while screaming and threatening the doctors who tried to help them. On several occasions, doctors were refused their requests to release the detainees in grave condition. According to one of the former detainees, when he was released from a detention center and sent to a hospital, the ambulance that transported him had its tires perforated by unknown men in cars with tinted glass.
A former detainee who was initially transported to the Savyetski District RUVD (Russian: РУВД – Районное Управление Внутренних Дел; District Department of Internal Affairs) reported that around 80 people were lined along a wall there and were forced to stay for 24 hours with their hands behind their heads, including the ones with broken hands, who were refused medical attention. According to him, the detainees were beaten there and threatened by police officers with execution by shooting, which they claimed they had direct orders to perform, and were allowed to sit only during a night for a total of 15 minutes. According to another former detainee who was initially transported to the Partyzanski District RUVD, the detainees there (around 30 in total) were severely beaten, taken to a basement and ordered to sing the anthem of Belarus on multiple occasions. A female former detainee who was transported to the Maskowski District RUVD reported that during the early stages of detention she was repeatedly beaten, accused of being a "protest coordinator" and demanded to name the people who paid her. In the RUVD, she was taken to a hall where the floor was covered with blood and vomit, was ordered to lay down and threatened to have her dreadlocks cut off. During interrogation by 7 police officers, she was demanded to tell who paid her for the subversion and at some point was knocked out of a chair, ordered to lay down and was beaten with truncheons each time her answers weren't considered satisfactory. After the interrogation, she was taken to a hall with about 40 or more detainees and had her clothes marked with an aerosol paint, which, as she learned later, was a message to other police officers meaning she was one of the most active protesters. In the Okrestina detention center, she, along with other 35–40 women, was put in a four-people cell where she spent another 3 days. Another female former detainee reported that at some point she was taken to a six-people cell with 50 other detainees who were refused food and had no access to clean water. During her last night there, the Okrestina staff knocked on the cell door once in an hour, preventing the detainees from sleeping. The detainees there were nearly suffocating and restrained from talking in order to preserve as much oxygen as possible. When she was transported to a detention center in Zhodzina, she received food for the first time in three days and heard local staff referring to Okrestina as Auschwitz concentration camp. Another female former detainee from Okrestina, who was arrested by 10 OMON officers as an independent observer during the elections and was put in a four-people cell with 35 other women, reported that all the detainees' requests for more air were met with an opened door and a splash of water. The detainees there were constantly humiliated and refused means of personal hygiene, such as sanitary napkins. During the night, when male detainees were taken out of their cells, she heard sounds of severe beatings and screams, and, in the morning, saw the corridor walls of the Okrestina covered with blood.
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| 974853727 |
2020-08-25T11:55:01Z |
192949(577) |
10990(48) |
455(2) |
Third week |
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25 August marked the 29th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Belarus from the Soviet Union and the re-adoption of the white-red-white flag. Olga Kovalkova appeared in court via video link on charges of illegally organising a strike and Pavel Latushko presented himself to the KGB for questionning.
|
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| 974856272 |
2020-08-25T12:18:50Z |
193169(220) |
11023(33) |
455(0) |
Third week |
25 August marked the 29th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Belarus from the Soviet Union and the re-adoption of the white-red-white flag. Olga Kovalkova appeared in court via video link on charges of illegally organising a strike and Pavel Latushko presented himself to the KGB for questionning.
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25 August marked the 29th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Belarus from the Soviet Union and the re-adoption of the white-red-white flag. Olga Kovalkova appeared in court via video link on charges of illegally organising a strike and Pavel Latushko presented himself to the KGB for questionning. A group of teachers organised a protest outside the headquarters of the education ministry in Minsk in relation to possible dismissals for teachers who supported opposition protests or refused to promote state ideology.
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|
| 974888433 |
2020-08-25T16:23:37Z |
193197(28) |
11028(5) |
455(0) |
First week |
On the same day, the Belarus Interior Minister admitted a "shoot to kill" policy was enforced.
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On the same day, the Belarus Interior Minister stated that a "shoot to kill" policy in cases of selfdefence was permitted.
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| 974901577 |
2020-08-25T18:03:44Z |
193811(614) |
11075(47) |
458(3) |
Third week |
25 August marked the 29th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Belarus from the Soviet Union and the re-adoption of the white-red-white flag. Olga Kovalkova appeared in court via video link on charges of illegally organising a strike and Pavel Latushko presented himself to the KGB for questionning. A group of teachers organised a protest outside the headquarters of the education ministry in Minsk in relation to possible dismissals for teachers who supported opposition protests or refused to promote state ideology.
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25 August marked the 29th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Belarus from the Soviet Union and the re-adoption of the white-red-white flag. Olga Kovalkova appeared in court via video link on charges of illegally organising a strike and Pavel Latushko presented himself to the KGB for questioning. Both Kovalkova and Sergei Dylevsky were sentenced to 10 days imprisonment. A group of teachers organised a protest outside the headquarters of the education ministry in Minsk in relation to possible dismissals for teachers who supported opposition protests or refused to promote state ideology. In the early evening, a rally was held in Independence Square in Minsk, which was addressed by some of the members of the Supreme Council which declared Belarus an independent state in 1991.
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| 974901912 |
2020-08-25T18:06:11Z |
193945(134) |
11074(-1) |
459(1) |
Third week |
25 August marked the 29th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Belarus from the Soviet Union and the re-adoption of the white-red-white flag. Olga Kovalkova appeared in court via video link on charges of illegally organising a strike and Pavel Latushko presented himself to the KGB for questioning. Both Kovalkova and Sergei Dylevsky were sentenced to 10 days imprisonment. A group of teachers organised a protest outside the headquarters of the education ministry in Minsk in relation to possible dismissals for teachers who supported opposition protests or refused to promote state ideology. In the early evening, a rally was held in Independence Square in Minsk, which was addressed by some of the members of the Supreme Council which declared Belarus an independent state in 1991.
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25 August marked the 29th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Belarus from the Soviet Union and the re-adoption of the white-red-white flag. Olga Kovalkova appeared in court via video link on charges of illegally organising a strike and Pavel Latushko presented himself to the KGB for questioning. Both Kovalkova and Sergei Dylevsky were sentenced to 10 days imprisonment. A group of teachers organised a protest outside the headquarters of the education ministry in Minsk in relation to possible dismissals for teachers who supported opposition protests or refused to promote state ideology. In the early evening, a rally was held in Independence Square in Minsk, which was addressed by some of the members of the Supreme Council which declared Belarus an independent state in 1991.
|
|
| 974903071 |
2020-08-25T18:15:32Z |
194247(302) |
11096(22) |
463(4) |
Third week |
25 August marked the 29th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Belarus from the Soviet Union and the re-adoption of the white-red-white flag. Olga Kovalkova appeared in court via video link on charges of illegally organising a strike and Pavel Latushko presented himself to the KGB for questioning. Both Kovalkova and Sergei Dylevsky were sentenced to 10 days imprisonment. A group of teachers organised a protest outside the headquarters of the education ministry in Minsk in relation to possible dismissals for teachers who supported opposition protests or refused to promote state ideology. In the early evening, a rally was held in Independence Square in Minsk, which was addressed by some of the members of the Supreme Council which declared Belarus an independent state in 1991.
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25 August marked the 29th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Belarus from the Soviet Union and the re-adoption of the white-red-white flag. Olga Kovalkova appeared in court via video link on charges of illegally organising a strike and Pavel Latushko presented himself to the KGB for questioning. Both Kovalkova and Sergei Dylevsky were sentenced to 10 days imprisonment. A group of teachers organised a protest outside the headquarters of the education ministry in Minsk in relation to possible dismissals for teachers who supported opposition protests or refused to promote state ideology. In the early evening, a rally was held in Independence Square in Minsk, which was addressed by some of the members of the Supreme Council which declared Belarus an independent state in 1991. A pro-Lukashenko demonstration was also held in Minsk where anti-Lukashenko protesters were described as "Satanists" and told to "go to Hell".
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| 974903216 |
2020-08-25T18:16:46Z |
194327(80) |
11106(10) |
463(0) |
Third week |
25 August marked the 29th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Belarus from the Soviet Union and the re-adoption of the white-red-white flag. Olga Kovalkova appeared in court via video link on charges of illegally organising a strike and Pavel Latushko presented himself to the KGB for questioning. Both Kovalkova and Sergei Dylevsky were sentenced to 10 days imprisonment. A group of teachers organised a protest outside the headquarters of the education ministry in Minsk in relation to possible dismissals for teachers who supported opposition protests or refused to promote state ideology. In the early evening, a rally was held in Independence Square in Minsk, which was addressed by some of the members of the Supreme Council which declared Belarus an independent state in 1991. A pro-Lukashenko demonstration was also held in Minsk where anti-Lukashenko protesters were described as "Satanists" and told to "go to Hell".
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25 August marked the 29th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Belarus from the Soviet Union and the re-adoption of the white-red-white flag. Olga Kovalkova appeared in court via video link on charges of illegally organising a strike and Pavel Latushko presented himself to the KGB for questioning. Both Kovalkova and Sergei Dylevsky were sentenced to 10 days imprisonment. A group of teachers organised a protest outside the headquarters of the education ministry in Minsk in relation to possible dismissals for teachers who supported opposition protests or refused to promote state ideology. In the early evening, a rally was held in Independence Square in Minsk, which was addressed by some of the members of the Supreme Council which declared Belarus an independent state in 1991. A pro-Lukashenko demonstration was also held in Minsk where anti-Lukashenko protesters were described as "Satanists" and told to "go to Hell". Some participants mocked journalists covering the event and waved Russian flags.
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| 974904331 |
2020-08-25T18:25:45Z |
194666(339) |
11141(35) |
464(1) |
Coordination Council |
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A spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed that the leadership of the Coordination Council did not want to reduce ties with Russia and instead hoped to continue with good bilateral relationships between the two countries.
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| 974904599 |
2020-08-25T18:28:05Z |
194673(7) |
11142(1) |
464(0) |
Third week |
25 August marked the 29th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Belarus from the Soviet Union and the re-adoption of the white-red-white flag. Olga Kovalkova appeared in court via video link on charges of illegally organising a strike and Pavel Latushko presented himself to the KGB for questioning. Both Kovalkova and Sergei Dylevsky were sentenced to 10 days imprisonment. A group of teachers organised a protest outside the headquarters of the education ministry in Minsk in relation to possible dismissals for teachers who supported opposition protests or refused to promote state ideology. In the early evening, a rally was held in Independence Square in Minsk, which was addressed by some of the members of the Supreme Council which declared Belarus an independent state in 1991. A pro-Lukashenko demonstration was also held in Minsk where anti-Lukashenko protesters were described as "Satanists" and told to "go to Hell". Some participants mocked journalists covering the event and waved Russian flags.
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25 August marked the 29th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Belarus from the Soviet Union and the re-adoption of the white-red-white flag. Olga Kovalkova appeared in court via video link on charges of illegally organising a strike and Pavel Latushko presented himself to the KGB for questioning. Both Kovalkova and Sergei Dylevsky were sentenced to 10 days imprisonment. A group of teachers organised a protest outside the headquarters of the education ministry in Minsk in relation to possible dismissals for teachers who supported opposition protests or refused to promote state ideology. In the early evening, a rally was held in Independence Square in Minsk, which was addressed by some of the members of the Supreme Council session that declared Belarus an independent state in 1991. A pro-Lukashenko demonstration was also held in Minsk where anti-Lukashenko protesters were described as "Satanists" and told to "go to Hell". Some participants mocked journalists covering the event and waved Russian flags.
|
|
| 974907099 |
2020-08-25T18:47:32Z |
194777(104) |
11148(6) |
465(1) |
Third week |
25 August marked the 29th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Belarus from the Soviet Union and the re-adoption of the white-red-white flag. Olga Kovalkova appeared in court via video link on charges of illegally organising a strike and Pavel Latushko presented himself to the KGB for questioning. Both Kovalkova and Sergei Dylevsky were sentenced to 10 days imprisonment. A group of teachers organised a protest outside the headquarters of the education ministry in Minsk in relation to possible dismissals for teachers who supported opposition protests or refused to promote state ideology. In the early evening, a rally was held in Independence Square in Minsk, which was addressed by some of the members of the Supreme Council session that declared Belarus an independent state in 1991. A pro-Lukashenko demonstration was also held in Minsk where anti-Lukashenko protesters were described as "Satanists" and told to "go to Hell". Some participants mocked journalists covering the event and waved Russian flags.
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25 August marked the 29th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Belarus from the Soviet Union and the re-adoption of the white-red-white flag. Olga Kovalkova appeared in court via video link on charges of illegally organising a strike and Pavel Latushko presented himself to the KGB for questioning. Both Kovalkova and Sergei Dylevsky were sentenced to 10 days imprisonment. A group of teachers organised a protest outside the headquarters of the education ministry in Minsk in relation to possible dismissals for teachers who supported opposition protests or refused to promote state ideology. In the early evening, a rally was held in Independence Square in Minsk, which was addressed by some of the members of the Supreme Council session that declared Belarus an independent state in 1991. A pro-Lukashenko demonstration, dubbed "Belarus is Lukashenko", was also held in Minsk. During the demonstration, anti-Lukashenko protesters were described as "Satanists" and told to "go to Hell", some participants mocked journalists covering the event and waved Russian flags.
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| 974917834 |
2020-08-25T20:05:35Z |
194777(0) |
11148(0) |
465(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 974923355 |
2020-08-25T20:44:55Z |
194932(155) |
11166(18) |
466(1) |
Third week |
25 August marked the 29th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Belarus from the Soviet Union and the re-adoption of the white-red-white flag. Olga Kovalkova appeared in court via video link on charges of illegally organising a strike and Pavel Latushko presented himself to the KGB for questioning. Both Kovalkova and Sergei Dylevsky were sentenced to 10 days imprisonment. A group of teachers organised a protest outside the headquarters of the education ministry in Minsk in relation to possible dismissals for teachers who supported opposition protests or refused to promote state ideology. In the early evening, a rally was held in Independence Square in Minsk, which was addressed by some of the members of the Supreme Council session that declared Belarus an independent state in 1991. A pro-Lukashenko demonstration, dubbed "Belarus is Lukashenko", was also held in Minsk. During the demonstration, anti-Lukashenko protesters were described as "Satanists" and told to "go to Hell", some participants mocked journalists covering the event and waved Russian flags.
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25 August marked the 29th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Belarus from the Soviet Union and the re-adoption of the white-red-white flag. Olga Kovalkova appeared in court via video link on charges of illegally organising a strike and Pavel Latushko presented himself to the KGB for questioning. Both Kovalkova and Sergei Dylevsky were sentenced to 10 days imprisonment. A group of teachers organised a protest outside the headquarters of the education ministry in Minsk in relation to possible dismissals for teachers who supported opposition protests or refused to promote state ideology. In the early evening, a rally was held in Independence Square in Minsk, which was addressed by some of the members of the Supreme Council session that declared Belarus an independent state in 1991. A pro-Lukashenko demonstration, dubbed "Belarus is Lukashenko", was also held in Minsk. During the demonstration, anti-Lukashenko protesters were described as "Satanists" and told to "go to Hell", some participants mocked journalists covering the event and waved Russian flags. An employee of the Belarusian embassy in India was fired after he declared his support for the protests.
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| 974935769 |
2020-08-25T21:58:00Z |
194917(-15) |
11162(-4) |
466(0) |
Second week |
As the protests swept across Belarus following the election results, the primary opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya published a video saying that she left Belarus for Lithuania. She was presumed to have been coerced to leave while also submitting a complaint to the CEC (Central Election Commission of Belarus). She was detained by CEC for seven hours.
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition, and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so. She urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protesters to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated that "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and stated that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A small number of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Independence Square in Minsk.
29-year-old Konstantin Shishmakov (Belarussian: Kanstantsin Shyshmakou), director of the Bagration Military History Museum in Vawkavysk, disappeared on August 15. As a member of election commission, he refused to sign the protocols, called his wife at about 5 pm and said: "I will not work here anymore, I am going home." But he never came home. Later he was found dead in a river. This was announced by the search and rescue squad "Angel".
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As the protests swept across Belarus following the election results, the primary opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya published a video saying that she left Belarus for Lithuania. She was presumed to have been coerced to leave while also submitting a complaint to the CEC (Central Election Commission of Belarus). She was detained by CEC for seven hours.
On 21 August, presidential candidate Hanna Kanapatskaya filed an appeal against the official election result with the Supreme Court of Belarus. French President Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany offered to mediate between the Government of Belarus, the opposition, and civil society. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya held a press conference for the international media in which she said she hoped to return Belarus when it is safe for her to do so. She urged all countries to respect the sovereignty and called on protesters to step up their strikes despite "intimidation". Chair of the Belarus Athletic Federation, Olympic athlete and former member of the House of Representatives, Vadim Devyatovskiy, posted a message on his Facebook page in which he stated "Lukashenko is not my President!!!!!" and that his previous support for the regime was a "delusion" and "betrayal". The leader of the strike at Minsk automobile plant, Yevgeny Bokhvalov, had been arrested whilst an organiser of the strike at the Belaruskali potash factory in Soligorsk, Dmitry Kudelevich was detained before escaping through a toilet window and fleeing to Ukraine. The Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, current chairperson of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said OSCE was going to Minsk to meet with the government and the opposition to look at mediation. A pro-government rally was held in Gomel where tractors could be seen waving the state flag. A small number of cars could also be seen waving the state flag by Independence Square in Minsk.
29-year-old Konstantin Shishmakov (Belarussian: Kanstantsin Shyshmakou), director of the Bagration Military History Museum in Vawkavysk, disappeared on August 15. As a member of election commission, he refused to sign the protocols, called his wife at about 5 pm and said: "I will not work here anymore, I am going home." But he never came home. Later he was found dead in a river. This was announced by the search and rescue squad "Angel".
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| 974953958 |
2020-08-25T23:32:45Z |
195018(101) |
11162(0) |
466(0) |
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| 974983682 |
2020-08-26T02:17:21Z |
195299(281) |
11304(142) |
436(-30) |
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{{Infobox civil conflict
| title = 2020 Belarusian protests
| partof = the Belarusian democracy movement andthe aftermath of the 2020 presidential election
| image =
| caption = Protests on 16 August 2020 in Minsk
| date = 24 May 2020[a] – present(3 months, 2 weeks and 1 day)
| place = Belarus
| coordinates =
| causes =
| goals =
| methods =
| side1 =
Opposition:
Coordination Council (since 14 August)
| side2 = Government:
Political parties:
Public associations:
|
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| 974985406 |
2020-08-26T02:29:33Z |
195301(2) |
11162(-142) |
467(31) |
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{{Infobox civil conflict
| title = 2020 Belarusian protests
| partof = the Belarusian democracy movement andthe aftermath of the 2020 presidential election
| image =
| caption = Protests on 16 August 2020 in Minsk
| date = 24 May 2020[a] – present(3 months, 2 weeks and 1 day)
| place = Belarus
| coordinates =
| causes =
| goals =
| methods =
| side1 =
Opposition:
Coordination Council (since 14 August)
| side2 = Government:
Political parties:
Public associations:
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| 974988750 |
2020-08-26T02:53:21Z |
195422(121) |
11162(0) |
467(0) |
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| 975003279 |
2020-08-26T05:07:33Z |
195369(-53) |
11155(-7) |
467(0) |
|
On 14 August, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya claimed that she had received 60–70% of the vote and announced the creation of the Coordination Council, with membership applications open to all Belarusians agreeing that the election had been falsified and showing evidence of social leadership and respect.
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On 14 August, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya claimed that she had received 60–70% of the vote and announced the creation of the Coordination Council, with membership applications open to all Belarusians who agree that the election had been falsified.
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| 975018330 |
2020-08-26T07:44:47Z |
195403(34) |
11155(0) |
467(0) |
|
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|
|
| 975023710 |
2020-08-26T08:33:45Z |
195543(140) |
11153(-2) |
467(0) |
Third week |
On 24 August, presidium members of the Coordination Council, Sergei Dylevsky and Olga Kovalkova were detained by the security services whilst attempting to support striking workers at the Minsk Tractor Works factory.
Three other presidium members, Svetlana Alexievich, Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko, were also summoned for questioning. Police appeared to be less tolerant of protests, rallies and strikes, actively breaking up lines of solidarity in Minsk and arresting leaders of strikes at state-owned enterprises. Despite an increased police presence, groups of protesters were still able to gather in Independence Square in Minsk, where they shouted "Leave" and also in Grodno and in Brest. Alexander Lukashenko issued a statement in which he threatened dismissal for school teachers who do not follow "state ideology". An employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was fired after he had attended an anti-Lukashenko rally the previous week with another Ministry employee. The Government of Lithuania handed a note of protest to the Belarusian ambassador in Vilnius accusing the Belarusian armed forces of violating Lithuanian airspace by as much as 3 km the previous day. Belarus claimed that its air force was attempting to prevent balloons depicting the former flag of Belarus, which was described as an "anti-state symbol", from crossing the border.
25 August marked the 29th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Belarus from the Soviet Union and the re-adoption of the white-red-white flag. Olga Kovalkova appeared in court via video link on charges of illegally organising a strike and Pavel Latushko presented himself to the KGB for questioning. Both Kovalkova and Sergei Dylevsky were sentenced to 10 days imprisonment. A group of teachers organised a protest outside the headquarters of the education ministry in Minsk in relation to possible dismissals for teachers who supported opposition protests or refused to promote state ideology. In the early evening, a rally was held in Independence Square in Minsk, which was addressed by some of the members of the Supreme Council session that declared Belarus an independent state in 1991. A pro-Lukashenko demonstration, dubbed "Belarus is Lukashenko", was also held in Minsk. During the demonstration, anti-Lukashenko protesters were described as "Satanists" and told to "go to Hell", some participants mocked journalists covering the event and waved Russian flags. An employee of the Belarusian embassy in India was fired after he declared his support for the protests.
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On 24 August, presidium members of the Coordination Council, Sergei Dylevsky and Olga Kovalkova were detained by the security services whilst attempting to support striking workers at the Minsk Tractor Works factory. Three other presidium members, Svetlana Alexievich, Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko, were also summoned for questioning. Police appeared to be less tolerant of protests, rallies and strikes, actively breaking up lines of solidarity in Minsk and arresting leaders of strikes at state-owned enterprises. Despite an increased police presence, groups of protesters were still able to gather in Independence Square in Minsk, where they shouted "Leave" and also in Grodno and in Brest. Alexander Lukashenko issued a statement in which he threatened dismissal for school teachers who do not follow "state ideology". An employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was fired after he had attended an anti-Lukashenko rally the previous week with another Ministry employee. The Government of Lithuania handed a note of protest to the Belarusian ambassador in Vilnius accusing the Belarusian armed forces of violating Lithuanian airspace by as much as 3 km the previous day. Belarus claimed that its air force was attempting to prevent balloons depicting the former flag of Belarus, which was described as an "anti-state symbol", from crossing the border.
25 August marked the 29th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Belarus from the Soviet Union and the re-adoption of the white-red-white flag. Olga Kovalkova appeared in court via video link on charges of illegally organising a strike and Pavel Latushko presented himself to the KGB for questioning. Both Kovalkova and Sergei Dylevsky were sentenced to 10 days imprisonment. A group of teachers organised a protest outside the headquarters of the education ministry in Minsk in relation to possible dismissals for teachers who supported opposition protests or refused to promote state ideology. In the early evening, a rally was held in Independence Square in Minsk, which was addressed by some of the members of the Supreme Council session that declared Belarus an independent state in 1991. A pro-Lukashenko demonstration, dubbed "Belarus is Lukashenko", was also held in Minsk. During the demonstration, anti-Lukashenko protesters were described as "Satanists" and told to "go to Hell", some participants mocked journalists covering the event and waved Russian flags. An employee of the Belarusian embassy in India was fired after he declared his support for the protests.
|
|
| 975023921 |
2020-08-26T08:36:02Z |
195543(0) |
11153(0) |
467(0) |
Third week |
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|
| 975024143 |
2020-08-26T08:38:15Z |
195921(378) |
11153(0) |
467(0) |
First week |
|
|
|
| 975024283 |
2020-08-26T08:39:27Z |
195916(-5) |
11150(-3) |
467(0) |
Third week |
On 24 August, presidium members of the Coordination Council, Sergei Dylevsky and Olga Kovalkova were detained by the security services whilst attempting to support striking workers at the Minsk Tractor Works factory. Three other presidium members, Svetlana Alexievich, Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko, were also summoned for questioning. Police appeared to be less tolerant of protests, rallies and strikes, actively breaking up lines of solidarity in Minsk and arresting leaders of strikes at state-owned enterprises. Despite an increased police presence, groups of protesters were still able to gather in Independence Square in Minsk, where they shouted "Leave" and also in Grodno and in Brest. Alexander Lukashenko issued a statement in which he threatened dismissal for school teachers who do not follow "state ideology". An employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was fired after he had attended an anti-Lukashenko rally the previous week with another Ministry employee. The Government of Lithuania handed a note of protest to the Belarusian ambassador in Vilnius accusing the Belarusian armed forces of violating Lithuanian airspace by as much as 3 km the previous day. Belarus claimed that its air force was attempting to prevent balloons depicting the former flag of Belarus, which was described as an "anti-state symbol", from crossing the border.
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On 24 August, presidium members of the Coordination Council, Sergei Dylevsky and Olga Kovalkova were detained by the security services whilst attempting to support striking workers at the Minsk Tractor Works factory. Three other presidium members, Svetlana Alexievich, Lilia Vlasova and Pavel Latushko, were also summoned for questioning. Police appeared to be less tolerant of protests, rallies and strikes, actively breaking up lines of solidarity in Minsk and arresting leaders of strikes at state-owned enterprises. Despite increased police presence, groups of protesters were still able to gather in Independence Square in Minsk, where they shouted "Leave" and also in Grodno and in Brest. Alexander Lukashenko issued a statement in which he threatened dismissal for school teachers who do not follow "state ideology". An employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was fired after he had attended an anti-Lukashenko rally the previous week with another Ministry employee. The Government of Lithuania handed a note of protest to the Belarusian ambassador in Vilnius accusing the Belarusian armed forces of violating Lithuanian airspace by as much as 3 km the previous day. Belarus claimed that its air force was attempting to prevent balloons depicting the former flag of Belarus, which was described as an "anti-state symbol", from crossing the border.
|
|
| 975024317 |
2020-08-26T08:39:50Z |
195916(0) |
11150(0) |
467(0) |
Second week |
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|
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| 975024463 |
2020-08-26T08:41:33Z |
195914(-2) |
11149(-1) |
467(0) |
Third week |
25 August marked the 29th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Belarus from the Soviet Union and the re-adoption of the white-red-white flag. Olga Kovalkova appeared in court via video link on charges of illegally organising a strike and Pavel Latushko presented himself to the KGB for questioning. Both Kovalkova and Sergei Dylevsky were sentenced to 10 days imprisonment. A group of teachers organised a protest outside the headquarters of the education ministry in Minsk in relation to possible dismissals for teachers who supported opposition protests or refused to promote state ideology. In the early evening, a rally was held in Independence Square in Minsk, which was addressed by some of the members of the Supreme Council session that declared Belarus an independent state in 1991. A pro-Lukashenko demonstration, dubbed "Belarus is Lukashenko", was also held in Minsk. During the demonstration, anti-Lukashenko protesters were described as "Satanists" and told to "go to Hell", some participants mocked journalists covering the event and waved Russian flags. An employee of the Belarusian embassy in India was fired after he declared his support for the protests.
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25 August marked the 29th anniversary of the declaration of independence of Belarus from the Soviet Union and the re-adoption of the white-red-white flag. Olga Kovalkova appeared in court via video link on charges of illegally organising a strike and Pavel Latushko presented himself to the KGB for questioning. Both Kovalkova and Sergei Dylevsky were sentenced to 10 days imprisonment. A group of teachers organised a protest outside the headquarters of the education ministry in Minsk in relation to possible dismissals for teachers who supported opposition protests or refused to promote state ideology. In the early evening, a rally was held in Independence Square in Minsk, which was addressed by some of the members of the Supreme Council session that declared Belarus an independent state in 1991. A pro-Lukashenko demonstration, dubbed "Belarus is Lukashenko", was also held in Minsk. During the demonstration, anti-Lukashenko protesters were described as "Satanists" and told to "go to Hell", some participants mocked journalists covering the event and waved Russian flags. An employee of the Belarusian embassy in India was fired after declaring his support for the protests.
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| 975024909 |
2020-08-26T08:46:30Z |
195916(2) |
11149(0) |
467(0) |
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| 975026332 |
2020-08-26T09:01:23Z |
195903(-13) |
11147(-2) |
467(0) |
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According to Russia's press service statement issued on August 19th, 2020, "Russia pointed out that foreign attempts to interfere in the country’s domestic affairs were unacceptable and could further escalate tensions" As Georgy Saralidze, advisor to the director of the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company on program policy, noted in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza that western countries had been striving to isolate Belarus away from Russia for several years. “The main goal is to prevent the expansion of the Union State, and ideally just to destroy it. What Vladimir Putin said to Merkel and Macron is a very symptomatic thing, because now there are attacks that Russia allegedly interferes in the affairs of Belarus. Moreover, there are no statements on the part of Russia, apart from the recognition of the election results. If you call it interference, then those who do not recognize the election also interfere in the affairs of Belarus."
Mikita Mikado, the CEO of PandaDoc, which has Belarussian roots, offered to support authorities (police officers, army and security forces) that want to retire, but cannot because for financial reasons. The CEO is planning to resign based on the latest events. He had published a video and asked to contact him directly to get full support.
On 19 August the EU promised two-million euros to assist the victims of state violence and one-million euros to support independent media as part of a 53 million euro package to support a peaceful transition.
Mikhail Orda, chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus, called for the law officers to investigate every case of violence in a detailed and objective manner, adding that the Trade Unions were willing to provide legal assistance to all victims.
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According to Russia's press service statement issued on August 19th, 2020, "Russia pointed out that foreign attempts to interfere in the country’s domestic affairs were unacceptable and could further escalate tensions" As Georgy Saralidze, advisor to the director of the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company on program policy, noted in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza that western countries had been striving to isolate Belarus away from Russia for several years. “The main goal is to prevent the expansion of the Union State, and ideally just to destroy it. What Vladimir Putin said to Merkel and Macron is a very symptomatic thing, because now there are attacks that Russia allegedly interferes in the affairs of Belarus. Moreover, there are no statements on the part of Russia, apart from the recognition of the election results. If you call it interference, then those who do not recognize the election also interfere in the affairs of Belarus."
Mikita Mikado, the CEO of PandaDoc, which has Belarusian roots, offered to support authorities (police officers, army and security forces) that want to retire, but cannot because for financial reasons. The CEO is planning to resign based on the latest events. He had published a video and asked to contact him directly to get full support.
On 19 August the EU promised €2 million to assist the victims of state violence and €1 million to support independent media as part of a €53 million euro package to support a peaceful transition.
Mikhail Orda, chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus, called for law officers to investigate every case of violence in a detailed and objective manner, adding that the Trade Unions were willing to provide legal assistance to all victims.
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| 975026573 |
2020-08-26T09:03:18Z |
195898(-5) |
11146(-1) |
467(0) |
|
On 19 August the EU promised €2 million to assist the victims of state violence and €1 million to support independent media as part of a €53 million euro package to support a peaceful transition.
The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former Coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic. A common slogan used by the protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus!.
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On 19 August the EU promised €2 million to assist the victims of state violence and €1 million to support independent media as part of a €53 million package to support a peaceful transition.
The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic. A common slogan used by the protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus!.
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| 975048450 |
2020-08-26T12:38:54Z |
195908(10) |
11144(-2) |
467(0) |
Support for victims |
On 19 August the EU promised €2 million to assist the victims of state violence and €1 million to support independent media as part of a €53 million package to support a peaceful transition.
|
On 19 August the EU promised €2 million to assist the victims of state violence and €1 million to support independent media as part of a €53 million package to support a peaceful transition.
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| 975052388 |
2020-08-26T13:12:53Z |
195932(24) |
11144(0) |
467(0) |
External links |
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| 975055961 |
2020-08-26T13:45:03Z |
195898(-34) |
11144(0) |
467(0) |
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| 975079421 |
2020-08-26T16:36:19Z |
196961(1063) |
11218(74) |
470(3) |
Attacks on journalists and censorship |
On 12 August, Belsat journalist Jauhien Merkis was arrested in Gomel while covering the protests. Even though he was there as a journalist, the next day, the local court sentenced him to 15 days in jail for "participation in an unauthorized mass event". Journalist Ruslan Kulevich from Grodno, arrested on 11 August, was freed on 14 August with fractures of both hands.
As of 21 August, the Belarusian edition of Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper failed to print three editions, and Narodnaja Volya failed to print a newspaper edition (both newspapers had a contract with the government-controlled printing house). The Belarusian Association of Journalists stated that the real cause was not technical troubles, but an attempt to block information about the protests and violations of human rights.
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On 12 August, Belsat journalist Jauhien Merkis was arrested in Gomel while covering the protests. Even though he was there as a journalist, the next day, the local court sentenced him to 15 days in jail for "participation in an unauthorized mass event". He was liberated soon, but on 21 August he was arrested again and was given 5 days in jail. Journalist Ruslan Kulevich from Grodno, arrested on 11 August, was freed on 14 August with fractures of both hands.
As of 21 August, the Belarusian edition of Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper failed to print three editions, and Narodnaja Volya failed to print a newspaper edition (both newspapers had a contract with the government-controlled printing house). The Belarusian Association of Journalists stated that the real cause was not technical troubles, but an attempt to block information about the protests and violations of human rights. Two other independent newspapers (Belgazeta and Svobodnye Novosti) also were unable to print new editions in Belarus. New editions of Komsomolskaya Pravda and Narodnaja Volya were printed in Russia, but the state network of newsstands "Belsoyuzpechat'" denied to take them for sale. These newspapers also reported that the post service delayed the delivery by subscription.
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| 975094800 |
2020-08-26T18:26:30Z |
196969(8) |
11218(0) |
470(0) |
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| 975099858 |
2020-08-26T18:55:08Z |
198342(1373) |
11357(139) |
478(8) |
Third week |
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On 26 August, residents began recall proceedings against at least 20 members of the House of Representatives. Coordination Council member and Nobel Prize laureate, Svetlana Alexievich, was summoned for interrogation but refused to answer any questions and was subsequently released. The home of opposition figure Valery Tsepkalo was raided by police. A group of about 500 employees of BelAZ marched from their place of work to the centre of Zhodzina. By late evening, a group of anti-Lukashenko demonstrators had gathered on Independence Square in Minsk. At around 20:30, security forces began to disperse the crowd, encircling demonstrators and detaining several people. At the same time, mobile internet was turned off in Minsk at the request of the authorities. Security forces locked the doors of the Church of Saints Simon and Helena trapping around 100 people inside.
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| 975100717 |
2020-08-26T18:59:55Z |
198420(78) |
11357(0) |
479(1) |
Third week |
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| 975102066 |
2020-08-26T19:08:54Z |
198676(256) |
11357(0) |
481(2) |
Third week |
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| 975113477 |
2020-08-26T20:07:11Z |
198726(50) |
11358(1) |
481(0) |
Third week |
On 26 August, residents began recall proceedings against at least 20 members of the House of Representatives. Coordination Council member and Nobel Prize laureate, Svetlana Alexievich, was summoned for interrogation but refused to answer any questions and was subsequently released. The home of opposition figure Valery Tsepkalo was raided by police. A group of about 500 employees of BelAZ marched from their place of work to the centre of Zhodzina. By late evening, a group of anti-Lukashenko demonstrators had gathered on Independence Square in Minsk. At around 20:30, security forces began to disperse the crowd, encircling demonstrators and detaining several people. At the same time, mobile internet was turned off in Minsk at the request of the authorities. Security forces locked the doors of the Church of Saints Simon and Helena trapping around 100 people inside.
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On 26 August, residents began recall proceedings against at least 20 members of the House of Representatives. Coordination Council member and Nobel Prize laureate, Svetlana Alexievich, was summoned for interrogation but refused to answer any questions and was subsequently released. The home of opposition figure Valery Tsepkalo was raided by police. A group of about 500 employees of BelAZ marched from their place of work to the centre of Zhodzina. By late evening, a group of anti-Lukashenko demonstrators had gathered on Independence Square in Minsk. At around 20:30, security forces began to disperse the crowd, encircling demonstrators and detaining several people. At the same time, mobile internet was turned off in Minsk at the request of the authorities. Security forces locked the doors of the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic church trapping around 100 people inside.
|
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| 975114478 |
2020-08-26T20:12:46Z |
199024(298) |
11378(20) |
482(1) |
Third week |
On 26 August, residents began recall proceedings against at least 20 members of the House of Representatives. Coordination Council member and Nobel Prize laureate, Svetlana Alexievich, was summoned for interrogation but refused to answer any questions and was subsequently released. The home of opposition figure Valery Tsepkalo was raided by police. A group of about 500 employees of BelAZ marched from their place of work to the centre of Zhodzina. By late evening, a group of anti-Lukashenko demonstrators had gathered on Independence Square in Minsk. At around 20:30, security forces began to disperse the crowd, encircling demonstrators and detaining several people. At the same time, mobile internet was turned off in Minsk at the request of the authorities. Security forces locked the doors of the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic church trapping around 100 people inside.
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On 26 August, residents began recall proceedings against at least 20 members of the House of Representatives. Coordination Council member and Nobel Prize laureate, Svetlana Alexievich, was summoned for interrogation but refused to answer any questions and was subsequently released. The home of opposition figure Valery Tsepkalo was raided by police. A group of about 500 employees of BelAZ marched from their place of work to the centre of Zhodzina. By late evening, a group of anti-Lukashenko demonstrators had gathered on Independence Square in Minsk. At around 20:30, security forces began to disperse the crowd, encircling demonstrators and detaining several people. At the same time, mobile internet was turned off in Minsk at the request of the authorities. Security forces locked the doors of the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic church trapping around 100 people inside. The Catholic Archbishop of Minsk-Mogilev, Yuri Kasabutsky, protested against the actions of the security forces, describing them as "illegal".
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| 975116205 |
2020-08-26T20:24:28Z |
199059(35) |
11378(0) |
482(0) |
Deaths |
|
|
|
| 975184029 |
2020-08-27T06:19:49Z |
199054(-5) |
11373(-5) |
482(0) |
Third week |
On 26 August, residents began recall proceedings against at least 20 members of the House of Representatives. Coordination Council member and Nobel Prize laureate, Svetlana Alexievich, was summoned for interrogation but refused to answer any questions and was subsequently released. The home of opposition figure Valery Tsepkalo was raided by police. A group of about 500 employees of BelAZ marched from their place of work to the centre of Zhodzina. By late evening, a group of anti-Lukashenko demonstrators had gathered on Independence Square in Minsk. At around 20:30, security forces began to disperse the crowd, encircling demonstrators and detaining several people. At the same time, mobile internet was turned off in Minsk at the request of the authorities. Security forces locked the doors of the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic church trapping around 100 people inside. The Catholic Archbishop of Minsk-Mogilev, Yuri Kasabutsky, protested against the actions of the security forces, describing them as "illegal".
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On 26 August, residents began recall proceedings against at least 20 members of the House of Representatives. Coordination Council member and Nobel Prize laureate, Svetlana Alexievich, was summoned for interrogation but refused to answer any questions and was subsequently released. The home of opposition figure Valery Tsepkalo was raided by police. A group of about 500 employees of BelAZ marched from their place of work to the centre of Zhodzina. By late evening, a group of anti-Lukashenko demonstrators had gathered on Independence Square in Minsk. At around 20:30, security forces began to disperse the crowd, encircling demonstrators and detaining several people. At the same time, mobile internet was turned off in Minsk at the request of the authorities. Security forces locked the doors of the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic church trapping around 100 people inside. The Catholic Archbishop of Minsk-Mogilev, Yuri Kasabutsky, protested against the actions of the security forces, describing them as "illegal".
|
|
| 975202212 |
2020-08-27T09:50:45Z |
199030(-24) |
11373(0) |
482(0) |
External links |
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|
|
| 975221386 |
2020-08-27T13:03:30Z |
199042(12) |
11373(0) |
482(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 975274630 |
2020-08-27T18:17:51Z |
200391(1349) |
11546(173) |
487(5) |
Third week |
On 26 August, residents began recall proceedings against at least 20 members of the House of Representatives. Coordination Council member and Nobel Prize laureate, Svetlana Alexievich, was summoned for interrogation but refused to answer any questions and was subsequently released. The home of opposition figure Valery Tsepkalo was raided by police. A group of about 500 employees of BelAZ marched from their place of work to the centre of Zhodzina. By late evening, a group of anti-Lukashenko demonstrators had gathered on Independence Square in Minsk. At around 20:30, security forces began to disperse the crowd, encircling demonstrators and detaining several people. At the same time, mobile internet was turned off in Minsk at the request of the authorities. Security forces locked the doors of the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic church trapping around 100 people inside. The Catholic Archbishop of Minsk-Mogilev, Yuri Kasabutsky, protested against the actions of the security forces, describing them as "illegal".
|
On 26 August, residents began recall proceedings against at least 20 members of the House of Representatives. Coordination Council member and Nobel Prize laureate, Svetlana Alexievich, was summoned for interrogation but refused to answer any questions and was subsequently released. The home of opposition figure Valery Tsepkalo was raided by police. A group of about 500 employees of BelAZ marched from their place of work to the centre of Zhodzina. By late evening, a group of anti-Lukashenko demonstrators had gathered on Independence Square in Minsk. At around 20:30, security forces began to disperse the crowd, encircling demonstrators and detaining several people. At the same time, mobile internet was turned off in Minsk at the request of the authorities. Security forces locked the doors of the church trapping around 100 people inside. The Catholic Archbishop of Minsk-Mogilev, Yuri Kasabutsky, protested against the actions of the security forces, describing them as "illegal".
On 27 August Alexander Lukashenko asked the Russian government to raise a reserve force for deployment to Belarus if necessary. Many journalists were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. They were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation. The Government of Belarus declined an invitation from the heads of Governemnts of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to visit Minsk to help mediate between the government and the opposition. Later that day, a group of Christians carrying Bibles had gathered outside the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic Church on Independence Square, Minsk in protest of the desecration of the church by the security services that had taken place the previous day The entrance to the church was blocked by security forces to prevent people from entering of leaving the church. A crowd of demonstrators later formed on Independence Square outside the church which was surrounded by the security forces. Women and children were allowed to leave the square but men were prevented from doing so. At least 70 people were detained.
|
|
| 975274801 |
2020-08-27T18:18:36Z |
200408(17) |
11548(2) |
487(0) |
Third week |
On 27 August Alexander Lukashenko asked the Russian government to raise a reserve force for deployment to Belarus if necessary. Many journalists were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. They were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation. The Government of Belarus declined an invitation from the heads of Governemnts of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to visit Minsk to help mediate between the government and the opposition. Later that day, a group of Christians carrying Bibles had gathered outside the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic Church on Independence Square, Minsk in protest of the desecration of the church by the security services that had taken place the previous day The entrance to the church was blocked by security forces to prevent people from entering of leaving the church. A crowd of demonstrators later formed on Independence Square outside the church which was surrounded by the security forces. Women and children were allowed to leave the square but men were prevented from doing so. At least 70 people were detained.
|
On 27 August Alexander Lukashenko asked the Russian government to raise a reserve force for deployment to Belarus if necessary. The Government of Belarus declined an invitation from the heads of Governemnts of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to visit Minsk to help mediate between the government and the opposition.In the afternoon, many journalists were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. They were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation. Later that day, a group of Christians carrying Bibles had gathered outside the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic Church on Independence Square, Minsk in protest of the desecration of the church by the security services that had taken place the previous day The entrance to the church was blocked by security forces to prevent people from entering of leaving the church. A crowd of demonstrators later formed on Independence Square outside the church which was surrounded by the security forces. Women and children were allowed to leave the square but men were prevented from doing so. At least 70 people were detained.
|
|
| 975275992 |
2020-08-27T18:23:51Z |
200666(258) |
11554(6) |
489(2) |
Third week |
On 27 August Alexander Lukashenko asked the Russian government to raise a reserve force for deployment to Belarus if necessary. The Government of Belarus declined an invitation from the heads of Governemnts of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to visit Minsk to help mediate between the government and the opposition.In the afternoon, many journalists were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. They were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation. Later that day, a group of Christians carrying Bibles had gathered outside the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic Church on Independence Square, Minsk in protest of the desecration of the church by the security services that had taken place the previous day The entrance to the church was blocked by security forces to prevent people from entering of leaving the church. A crowd of demonstrators later formed on Independence Square outside the church which was surrounded by the security forces. Women and children were allowed to leave the square but men were prevented from doing so. At least 70 people were detained.
|
On 27 August, Alexander Lukashenko asked the Russian government to raise a reserve force for deployment to Belarus if necessary. The Government of Belarus declined an invitation from the heads of Governemnts of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to visit Minsk to help mediate between the government and the opposition. In the afternoon around 20 journalists, from both local and international media, were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. They were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation. Later that day, a group of Christians carrying Bibles had gathered outside the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic Church on Independence Square, Minsk in protest of the desecration of the church by the security services that had taken place the previous day The entrance to the church was blocked by security forces to prevent people from entering of leaving the church. A crowd of demonstrators later formed on Independence Square outside the church which was surrounded by the security forces. Women and children were allowed to leave the square but men were prevented from doing so. At least 70 people were detained.
|
|
| 975276427 |
2020-08-27T18:25:48Z |
200663(-3) |
11553(-1) |
489(0) |
Third week |
On 27 August, Alexander Lukashenko asked the Russian government to raise a reserve force for deployment to Belarus if necessary. The Government of Belarus declined an invitation from the heads of Governemnts of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to visit Minsk to help mediate between the government and the opposition. In the afternoon around 20 journalists, from both local and international media, were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. They were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation. Later that day, a group of Christians carrying Bibles had gathered outside the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic Church on Independence Square, Minsk in protest of the desecration of the church by the security services that had taken place the previous day The entrance to the church was blocked by security forces to prevent people from entering of leaving the church. A crowd of demonstrators later formed on Independence Square outside the church which was surrounded by the security forces. Women and children were allowed to leave the square but men were prevented from doing so. At least 70 people were detained.
|
On 27 August, Alexander Lukashenko asked the Russian government to raise a reserve force for deployment to Belarus if necessary. The Government of Belarus declined an invitation from the heads of Governemnts of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to visit Minsk to help mediate between the government and the opposition. In the afternoon around 20 journalists, from both local and international media, were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. They were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation. Later that day, a group of Christians carrying Bibles had gathered outside the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic Church on Independence Square, Minsk in protest of the desecration of the church by the security services that had occurred the previous day The entrance to the church was blocked by security forces to prevent people from entering of leaving the church. A crowd of demonstrators later formed on Independence Square outside the church which was surrounded by the security forces. Women and children were allowed to leave the square but men were prevented from doing so. At least 70 people were detained.
|
|
| 975277107 |
2020-08-27T18:29:31Z |
200928(265) |
11579(26) |
491(2) |
Third week |
On 27 August, Alexander Lukashenko asked the Russian government to raise a reserve force for deployment to Belarus if necessary. The Government of Belarus declined an invitation from the heads of Governemnts of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to visit Minsk to help mediate between the government and the opposition. In the afternoon around 20 journalists, from both local and international media, were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. They were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation. Later that day, a group of Christians carrying Bibles had gathered outside the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic Church on Independence Square, Minsk in protest of the desecration of the church by the security services that had occurred the previous day The entrance to the church was blocked by security forces to prevent people from entering of leaving the church. A crowd of demonstrators later formed on Independence Square outside the church which was surrounded by the security forces. Women and children were allowed to leave the square but men were prevented from doing so. At least 70 people were detained.
|
On 27 August, Alexander Lukashenko asked the Russian government to raise a reserve force for deployment to Belarus if necessary. The Government of Belarus declined an invitation from the heads of Governemnts of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to visit Minsk to help mediate between the government and the opposition. In the afternoon around 20 journalists, from both local and international media, were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. They were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation. Later that day, a group of Christians carrying Bibles had gathered outside the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic Church on Independence Square, Minsk in protest of the desecration of the church by the security services that had occurred the previous day The entrance to the church was blocked by security forces to prevent people from entering of leaving the church. A crowd of demonstrators later formed on Independence Square outside the church which was surrounded by the security forces. Women and children were allowed to leave the square but men were prevented from doing so. At least 150 people were detained. Many of the people who were dispersed from the demonstration on Independence Square continued to march through the city, singing religious songs and chanting anti-government slogans.
|
|
| 975288437 |
2020-08-27T19:18:55Z |
201569(641) |
11614(35) |
495(4) |
Attacks on journalists and censorship |
|
On 27 August, around 20 journalists, from both local and international media, were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. The journalists were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation.
|
|
| 975314618 |
2020-08-27T21:00:13Z |
201569(0) |
11614(0) |
495(0) |
Third week |
On 27 August, Alexander Lukashenko asked the Russian government to raise a reserve force for deployment to Belarus if necessary. The Government of Belarus declined an invitation from the heads of Governemnts of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to visit Minsk to help mediate between the government and the opposition. In the afternoon around 20 journalists, from both local and international media, were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. They were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation. Later that day, a group of Christians carrying Bibles had gathered outside the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic Church on Independence Square, Minsk in protest of the desecration of the church by the security services that had occurred the previous day The entrance to the church was blocked by security forces to prevent people from entering of leaving the church. A crowd of demonstrators later formed on Independence Square outside the church which was surrounded by the security forces. Women and children were allowed to leave the square but men were prevented from doing so. At least 150 people were detained. Many of the people who were dispersed from the demonstration on Independence Square continued to march through the city, singing religious songs and chanting anti-government slogans.
|
On 27 August, Alexander Lukashenko asked the Russian government to raise a reserve force for deployment to Belarus if necessary. The Government of Belarus declined an invitation from the heads of Governemnts of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to visit Minsk to help mediate between the government and the opposition. In the afternoon around 20 journalists, from both local and international media, were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. They were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation. Later that day, a group of Christians carrying Bibles had gathered outside the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic Church on Independence Square, Minsk in protest of the desecration of the church by the security services that had occurred the previous day The entrance to the church was blocked by security forces to prevent people from entering or leaving the church. A crowd of demonstrators later formed on Independence Square outside the church which was surrounded by the security forces. Women and children were allowed to leave the square but men were prevented from doing so. At least 150 people were detained. Many of the people who were dispersed from the demonstration on Independence Square continued to march through the city, singing religious songs and chanting anti-government slogans.
|
|
| 975354897 |
2020-08-28T01:50:53Z |
201732(163) |
11634(20) |
496(1) |
Third week |
On 27 August, Alexander Lukashenko asked the Russian government to raise a reserve force for deployment to Belarus if necessary. The Government of Belarus declined an invitation from the heads of Governemnts of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to visit Minsk to help mediate between the government and the opposition. In the afternoon around 20 journalists, from both local and international media, were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. They were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation. Later that day, a group of Christians carrying Bibles had gathered outside the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic Church on Independence Square, Minsk in protest of the desecration of the church by the security services that had occurred the previous day The entrance to the church was blocked by security forces to prevent people from entering or leaving the church. A crowd of demonstrators later formed on Independence Square outside the church which was surrounded by the security forces. Women and children were allowed to leave the square but men were prevented from doing so. At least 150 people were detained. Many of the people who were dispersed from the demonstration on Independence Square continued to march through the city, singing religious songs and chanting anti-government slogans.
|
On 27 August, Alexander Lukashenko asked the Russian government to raise a reserve force for deployment to Belarus if necessary. The Government of Belarus declined an invitation from the heads of Governemnts of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to visit Minsk to help mediate between the government and the opposition. In the afternoon around 20 journalists, from both local and international media, were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. They were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation. Later that day, a group of Christians carrying Bibles had gathered outside the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic Church on Independence Square, Minsk in protest of the desecration of the church by the security services that had occurred the previous day The entrance to the church was blocked by security forces to prevent people from entering or leaving the church. A crowd of demonstrators later formed on Independence Square outside the church which was surrounded by the security forces. Women and children were allowed to leave the square but men were prevented from doing so. At least 150 people were detained. Many of the people who were dispersed from the demonstration on Independence Square continued to march through the city, singing religious songs and chanting anti-government slogans. A pro-Lukashenko rally was held in front of the Belarus supermarket in Minsk, but it was ended abruptly by rain.
|
|
| 975423607 |
2020-08-28T12:30:52Z |
201734(2) |
11634(0) |
496(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 975426491 |
2020-08-28T12:56:05Z |
201735(1) |
11633(-1) |
496(0) |
Third week |
On 27 August, Alexander Lukashenko asked the Russian government to raise a reserve force for deployment to Belarus if necessary. The Government of Belarus declined an invitation from the heads of Governemnts of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to visit Minsk to help mediate between the government and the opposition. In the afternoon around 20 journalists, from both local and international media, were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. They were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation. Later that day, a group of Christians carrying Bibles had gathered outside the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic Church on Independence Square, Minsk in protest of the desecration of the church by the security services that had occurred the previous day The entrance to the church was blocked by security forces to prevent people from entering or leaving the church. A crowd of demonstrators later formed on Independence Square outside the church which was surrounded by the security forces. Women and children were allowed to leave the square but men were prevented from doing so. At least 150 people were detained. Many of the people who were dispersed from the demonstration on Independence Square continued to march through the city, singing religious songs and chanting anti-government slogans. A pro-Lukashenko rally was held in front of the Belarus supermarket in Minsk, but it was ended abruptly by rain.
|
On 27 August, Alexander Lukashenko asked the Russian government to raise a reserve force for deployment to Belarus if necessary. The Government of Belarus declined an invitation from the heads of Governemnts of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to visit Minsk to help mediate between the government and the opposition. In the afternoon, around 20 journalists, from both local and international media, were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. They were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation. Later that day, a group of Christians carrying Bibles had gathered outside the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic Church on Independence Square, Minsk in protest of the desecration of the church by the security services that had occurred the previous day. The entrance to the church was blocked by security forces to prevent people from entering or leaving the church. A crowd of demonstrators later formed on Independence Square outside the church which was surrounded by the security forces. Women and children were allowed to leave the square but men were prevented from doing so. At least 150 people were detained. Many of the people who were dispersed from the demonstration on Independence Square continued to march through the city, singing religious songs and chanting anti-government slogans. A pro-Lukashenko rally was held in front of the Belarus supermarket in Minsk, but it was ended abruptly by rain.
|
|
| 975426743 |
2020-08-28T12:58:17Z |
201734(-1) |
11632(-1) |
496(0) |
First week |
On 11 August, the protests resumed in Minsk and other major cities. Rubber bullets and flashbangs were widely used. The Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that it used live ammunition against protesters in Brest. One death was reported, as one man, Gennady Shutov, in critical condition and with severe brain damage as of 14 August , succumbed to his injuries on 19 August in Minsk.
|
On 11 August, the protests resumed in Minsk and other major cities. Rubber bullets and flashbangs were widely used. The Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that it used live ammunition against protesters in Brest. One death was reported, as one man, Gennady Shutov, in critical condition and with severe brain damage as of 14 August, succumbed to his injuries on 19 August in Minsk.
|
|
| 975426863 |
2020-08-28T12:59:31Z |
201733(-1) |
11631(-1) |
496(0) |
Second week |
17 August saw Lukashenko booed and shouted at when he gave a speech at a Minsk wheel tractor plant. He told the audience they would have to kill him to get another election. Meanwhile, a broadcast by the state TV showed empty news desks as TV presenters had walked out on strike. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a video in which she stated that she is ready to lead a transitional government and organise a new, free and fair presidential election. Lukashenko conceded that an early presidential election could be held if a new constitution is adopted, after it has been drafted and a referendum is held and passed. The Prime Minister of Belarus, Roman Golovchenko, and cabinet resigned on 17 August 2020 in accordance with the constitution following an election.
|
17 August saw Lukashenko booed and shouted at when he gave a speech at a Minsk wheel tractor plant. He told the audience they would have to kill him to get another election. Meanwhile, a broadcast by the state TV showed empty news desks as TV presenters had walked out on strike. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a video in which she stated that she is ready to lead a transitional government and organise a new, free and fair presidential election. Lukashenko conceded that an early presidential election could be held if a new constitution is adopted, after it has been drafted and a referendum is held and passed. The Prime Minister of Belarus, Roman Golovchenko, and cabinet resigned on 17 August 2020 in accordance with the constitution following an election.
|
|
| 975427016 |
2020-08-28T13:00:56Z |
201732(-1) |
11629(-2) |
496(0) |
Third week |
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard to say "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15-year-old son, Nikolai, was seen with him dressed in military uniform and holding a gun. In a third video, he is seen surveying protesters from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to the protesters. In a fourth video, Lukashenko was seen removing the former flag of Belarus from a flower bed, waving at security personnel whilst telling them they are "handsome" and in reference to protesters, saying "we will deal with them". Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time. The presidential helicopter was seen leaving the palace at about 20:47 and it was unknown if Lukashenko was on board or not. The official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs claimed that 30,000 people attended pro-government demonstrations in the past day, against 6,100 attending anti-government demonstrations.
|
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard saying "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15-year-old son, Nikolai, was seen with him dressed in military uniform and holding a gun. In a third video, he is seen surveying protesters from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to the protesters. In a fourth video, Lukashenko was seen removing the former flag of Belarus from a flower bed, waving at security personnel whilst telling them they are "handsome" and in reference to protesters, saying "we will deal with them". Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time. The presidential helicopter was seen leaving the palace at about 20:47 and it was unknown if Lukashenko was on board or not. The official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs claimed that 30,000 people attended pro-government demonstrations in the past day, against 6,100 attending anti-government demonstrations.
|
|
| 975427098 |
2020-08-28T13:01:25Z |
201737(5) |
11630(1) |
496(0) |
|
On 27 August, Alexander Lukashenko asked the Russian government to raise a reserve force for deployment to Belarus if necessary. The Government of Belarus declined an invitation from the heads of Governemnts of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to visit Minsk to help mediate between the government and the opposition. In the afternoon, around 20 journalists, from both local and international media, were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. They were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation. Later that day, a group of Christians carrying Bibles had gathered outside the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic Church on Independence Square, Minsk in protest of the desecration of the church by the security services that had occurred the previous day. The entrance to the church was blocked by security forces to prevent people from entering or leaving the church. A crowd of demonstrators later formed on Independence Square outside the church which was surrounded by the security forces. Women and children were allowed to leave the square but men were prevented from doing so. At least 150 people were detained. Many of the people who were dispersed from the demonstration on Independence Square continued to march through the city, singing religious songs and chanting anti-government slogans. A pro-Lukashenko rally was held in front of the Belarus supermarket in Minsk, but it was ended abruptly by rain.
|
On 27 August, Alexander Lukashenko asked the Russian government to raise a reserve force for deployment to Belarus if necessary. The Government of Belarus declined an invitation from the heads of the governments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to visit Minsk to help mediate between the government and the opposition. In the afternoon, around 20 journalists, from both local and international media, were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. They were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation. Later that day, a group of Christians carrying Bibles had gathered outside the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic Church on Independence Square, Minsk in protest of the desecration of the church by the security services that had occurred the previous day. The entrance to the church was blocked by security forces to prevent people from entering or leaving the church. A crowd of demonstrators later formed on Independence Square outside the church which was surrounded by the security forces. Women and children were allowed to leave the square but men were prevented from doing so. At least 150 people were detained. Many of the people who were dispersed from the demonstration on Independence Square continued to march through the city, singing religious songs and chanting anti-government slogans. A pro-Lukashenko rally was held in front of the Belarus supermarket in Minsk, but it was ended abruptly by rain.
|
|
| 975427756 |
2020-08-28T13:06:01Z |
202136(399) |
11629(-1) |
496(0) |
Attacks on journalists and censorship |
On 27 August, around 20 journalists, from both local and international media, were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. The journalists were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation.
|
On 27 August, around 20 journalists, from both local and international media, were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. The journalists were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation.
|
|
| 975465802 |
2020-08-28T17:40:03Z |
201617(-519) |
11547(-82) |
496(0) |
Human rights issues |
Kristina Kazanoy from Minsk was falsely accused of torture on social networks, being reported by some of the former detainees to be similar in appearance to a member of Okrestina staff. She turned out to be not a police officer, but a teacher at the academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Kazanaoy had to release a video message declaring that she never used violence. Kazanoy stated she did not believe the stories about the widespread tortures: “After they fabricated this story about me, they no longer have my faith. I don’t know any of the employees at Okrestina, I don’t know if that woman actually tortured and beat people and if there is such an employee at all. Until yesterday, I didn’t know where Okrestsina was, I thought it was not in Minsk.”
|
Kristina Kazanoy from Minsk was falsely accused of torture on social networks, being reported by some of the former detainees to be similar in appearance to a member of Okrestina staff. She turned out to be not a police officer, but a teacher at the academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
|
|
| 975466387 |
2020-08-28T17:44:09Z |
202524(907) |
11560(13) |
498(2) |
Human rights issues |
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus rejected allegations of abuse and torture of citizens detained during the protests.
|
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus rejected allegations of abuse and torture of citizens detained during the protests. However, the beatings, incloding those at Okrestina, were recognized by Alexander Lukashenko himself.
|
|
| 975466561 |
2020-08-28T17:45:29Z |
202522(-2) |
11560(0) |
498(0) |
Human rights issues |
|
|
|
| 975466847 |
2020-08-28T17:47:38Z |
202136(-386) |
11629(69) |
496(-2) |
|
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus rejected allegations of abuse and torture of citizens detained during the protests. However, the beatings, incloding those at Okrestina, were recognized by Alexander Lukashenko himself.
Kristina Kazanoy from Minsk was falsely accused of torture on social networks, being reported by some of the former detainees to be similar in appearance to a member of Okrestina staff. She turned out to be not a police officer, but a teacher at the academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
|
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus rejected allegations of abuse and torture of citizens detained during the protests.
Kristina Kazanoy from Minsk was falsely accused of torture on social networks, being reported by some of the former detainees to be similar in appearance to a member of Okrestina staff. She turned out to be not a police officer, but a teacher at the academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Kazanaoy had to release a video message declaring that she never used violence. Kazanoy stated she did not believe the stories about the widespread tortures: “After they fabricated this story about me, they no longer have my faith. I don’t know any of the employees at Okrestina, I don’t know if that woman actually tortured and beat people and if there is such an employee at all. Until yesterday, I didn’t know where Okrestsina was, I thought it was not in Minsk.”
|
|
| 975467515 |
2020-08-28T17:52:11Z |
203042(906) |
11642(13) |
498(2) |
Human rights issues |
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus rejected allegations of abuse and torture of citizens detained during the protests.
|
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus rejected allegations of abuse and torture of citizens detained during the protests. However, the beatings, including those at Okrestina, were recognized by Alexander Lukashenko himself.
|
|
| 975472868 |
2020-08-28T18:31:49Z |
203057(15) |
11642(0) |
498(0) |
Third week |
|
|
|
| 975473222 |
2020-08-28T18:34:22Z |
203015(-42) |
11642(0) |
498(0) |
International reactions |
|
|
|
| 975473594 |
2020-08-28T18:37:15Z |
203026(11) |
11644(2) |
498(0) |
Human rights issues |
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus rejected allegations of abuse and torture of citizens detained during the protests. However, the beatings, including those at Okrestina, were recognized by Alexander Lukashenko himself.
|
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus rejected allegations of abuse and torture of citizens detained during the protests. However, the beatings of the detainees, including at Okrestina, were recognized by Alexander Lukashenko himself.
|
|
| 975473688 |
2020-08-28T18:37:47Z |
204219(1193) |
11644(0) |
498(0) |
Third week |
|
|
|
| 975474345 |
2020-08-28T18:41:56Z |
204070(-149) |
11644(0) |
498(0) |
Third week |
|
|
|
| 975474700 |
2020-08-28T18:44:41Z |
204792(722) |
11644(0) |
498(0) |
Third week |
|
|
|
| 975474844 |
2020-08-28T18:45:45Z |
204680(-112) |
11644(0) |
497(-1) |
Third week |
|
|
|
| 975475156 |
2020-08-28T18:48:31Z |
206523(1843) |
11644(0) |
497(0) |
Third week |
|
|
|
| 975475237 |
2020-08-28T18:49:20Z |
206521(-2) |
11644(0) |
497(0) |
Third week |
On 26 August, residents began recall proceedings against at least 20 members of the House of Representatives. Coordination Council member and Nobel Prize laureate, Svetlana Alexievich, was summoned for interrogation but refused to answer any questions and was subsequently released. The home of opposition figure Valery Tsepkalo was raided by police. A group of about 500 employees of BelAZ marched from their place of work to the centre of Zhodzina. By late evening, a group of anti-Lukashenko demonstrators had gathered on Independence Square in Minsk. At around 20:30, security forces began to disperse the crowd, encircling demonstrators and detaining several people. At the same time, mobile internet was turned off in Minsk at the request of the authorities. Security forces locked the doors of the church trapping around 100 people inside. The Catholic Archbishop of Minsk-Mogilev, Yuri Kasabutsky, protested against the actions of the security forces, describing them as "illegal".
|
On 26 August, residents began recall proceedings against at least 20 members of the House of Representatives. Coordination Council member and Nobel Prize laureate Svetlana Alexievich was summoned for interrogation but refused to answer any questions and was subsequently released. The home of opposition figure Valery Tsepkalo was raided by police. A group of about 500 employees of BelAZ marched from their place of work to the centre of Zhodzina. By late evening, a group of anti-Lukashenko demonstrators had gathered on Independence Square in Minsk. At around 20:30, security forces began to disperse the crowd, encircling demonstrators and detaining several people. At the same time, mobile internet was turned off in Minsk at the request of the authorities. Security forces locked the doors of the church trapping around 100 people inside. The Catholic Archbishop of Minsk-Mogilev, Yuri Kasabutsky, protested against the actions of the security forces, describing them as "illegal".
|
|
| 975475336 |
2020-08-28T18:50:09Z |
206520(-1) |
11643(-1) |
497(0) |
Third week |
On 26 August, residents began recall proceedings against at least 20 members of the House of Representatives. Coordination Council member and Nobel Prize laureate Svetlana Alexievich was summoned for interrogation but refused to answer any questions and was subsequently released. The home of opposition figure Valery Tsepkalo was raided by police. A group of about 500 employees of BelAZ marched from their place of work to the centre of Zhodzina. By late evening, a group of anti-Lukashenko demonstrators had gathered on Independence Square in Minsk. At around 20:30, security forces began to disperse the crowd, encircling demonstrators and detaining several people. At the same time, mobile internet was turned off in Minsk at the request of the authorities. Security forces locked the doors of the church trapping around 100 people inside. The Catholic Archbishop of Minsk-Mogilev, Yuri Kasabutsky, protested against the actions of the security forces, describing them as "illegal".
|
On 26 August, residents began recall proceedings against at least 20 members of the House of Representatives. Coordination Council member and Nobel Prize laureate Svetlana Alexievich was summoned for interrogation but refused to answer any questions and was subsequently released. The home of opposition figure Valery Tsepkalo was raided by police. A group of about 500 employees of BelAZ marched from their place of work to the centre of Zhodzina. By late evening, a group of anti-Lukashenko demonstrators had gathered on Independence Square in Minsk. At around 20:30, security forces began to disperse the crowd, encircling demonstrators and detaining several people. At the same time, mobile internet was turned off in Minsk at the request of the authorities. Security forces locked the doors of the church trapping around 100 people inside. The Catholic Archbishop of Minsk-Mogilev, Yuri Kasabutsky, protested against the actions of the security forces, describing them as "illegal".
|
|
| 975475479 |
2020-08-28T18:51:22Z |
206512(-8) |
11642(-1) |
497(0) |
Third week |
On 26 August, residents began recall proceedings against at least 20 members of the House of Representatives. Coordination Council member and Nobel Prize laureate Svetlana Alexievich was summoned for interrogation but refused to answer any questions and was subsequently released. The home of opposition figure Valery Tsepkalo was raided by police. A group of about 500 employees of BelAZ marched from their place of work to the centre of Zhodzina. By late evening, a group of anti-Lukashenko demonstrators had gathered on Independence Square in Minsk. At around 20:30, security forces began to disperse the crowd, encircling demonstrators and detaining several people. At the same time, mobile internet was turned off in Minsk at the request of the authorities. Security forces locked the doors of the church trapping around 100 people inside. The Catholic Archbishop of Minsk-Mogilev, Yuri Kasabutsky, protested against the actions of the security forces, describing them as "illegal".
|
On 26 August, residents began recall proceedings against at least 20 members of the House of Representatives. Coordination Council member and Nobel Prize laureate Svetlana Alexievich was summoned for interrogation but refused to answer any questions and was subsequently released. The home of opposition figure Valery Tsepkalo was raided by police. A group of about 500 employees of BelAZ marched from their place of work to the centre of Zhodzina. By late evening, a group of anti-Lukashenko demonstrators had gathered on Independence Square in Minsk. At around 20:30, security forces began to disperse the crowd, encircling demonstrators and detaining several people. At the same time, mobile internet was turned off in Minsk at the request of the authorities. Security forces locked the doors of the church trapping around 100 people inside. The Catholic Archbishop of Minsk-Mogilev, Yuri Kasabutsky, protested against the actions of the security forces, calling them illegal.
|
|
| 975475804 |
2020-08-28T18:53:57Z |
208540(2028) |
11642(0) |
497(0) |
Third week |
|
|
|
| 975476075 |
2020-08-28T18:55:33Z |
208682(142) |
11642(0) |
497(0) |
Third week |
On 27 August, Alexander Lukashenko asked the Russian government to raise a reserve force for deployment to Belarus if necessary. The Government of Belarus declined an invitation from the heads of the governments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to visit Minsk to help mediate between the government and the opposition. In the afternoon, around 20 journalists, from both local and international media, were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. They were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation. Later that day, a group of Christians carrying Bibles had gathered outside the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic Church on Independence Square, Minsk in protest of the desecration of the church by the security services that had occurred the previous day. The entrance to the church was blocked by security forces to prevent people from entering or leaving the church. A crowd of demonstrators later formed on Independence Square outside the church which was surrounded by the security forces. Women and children were allowed to leave the square but men were prevented from doing so. At least 150 people were detained. Many of the people who were dispersed from the demonstration on Independence Square continued to march through the city, singing religious songs and chanting anti-government slogans. A pro-Lukashenko rally was held in front of the Belarus supermarket in Minsk, but it was ended abruptly by rain.
|
On 27 August, Alexander Lukashenko asked the Russian government to raise a reserve force for deployment to Belarus if necessary. The Government of Belarus declined an invitation from the heads of the governments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to visit Minsk[clarify] to help mediate between the government and the opposition. In the afternoon, around 20 journalists, from both local and international media, were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. They were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation. Later that day, a group of Christians carrying Bibles had gathered outside the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic Church on Independence Square, Minsk in protest of the desecration of the church by the security services that had occurred the previous day. The entrance to the church was blocked by security forces to prevent people from entering or leaving the church. A crowd of demonstrators later formed on Independence Square outside the church which was surrounded by the security forces. Women and children were allowed to leave the square but men were prevented from doing so. At least 150 people were detained. Many of the people who were dispersed from the demonstration on Independence Square continued to march through the city, singing religious songs and chanting anti-government slogans. A pro-Lukashenko rally was held in front of the Belarus supermarket in Minsk, but it was ended abruptly by rain.
|
|
| 975476252 |
2020-08-28T18:57:05Z |
208892(210) |
11642(0) |
497(0) |
Coordination Council |
|
|
|
| 975476506 |
2020-08-28T18:59:15Z |
208895(3) |
11643(1) |
497(0) |
Deaths |
On 12 August in Gomel, a 25-year-old man, Alexander Vikhor, who was believed to have a heart related disease, died. According to preliminary information, he died because of waiting in a security forces detainee van for many hours in hot weather. He was in the van because the city's temporary detention centers were overcrowded. He was sentenced to 10 days in prison but wasn't given proper medical attention in time.
|
On 12 August, a 25-year-old man named Alexander Vikhor died in Gomel. He was believed to have a heart related disease. According to preliminary information, he died because of waiting in a security forces detainee van for many hours in hot weather. He was in the van because the city's temporary detention centers were overcrowded. He was sentenced to 10 days in prison but wasn't given proper medical attention in time.
|
|
| 975476612 |
2020-08-28T19:00:07Z |
208895(0) |
11642(-1) |
497(0) |
Deaths |
On 12 August, a 25-year-old man named Alexander Vikhor died in Gomel. He was believed to have a heart related disease. According to preliminary information, he died because of waiting in a security forces detainee van for many hours in hot weather. He was in the van because the city's temporary detention centers were overcrowded. He was sentenced to 10 days in prison but wasn't given proper medical attention in time.
|
On 12 August, a 25-year-old man named Alexander Vikhor died in Gomel. He was believed to have a heart-related disease. According to preliminary information, he died because of waiting in a security forces detainee van for many hours in hot weather. He was in the van because the city's temporary detention centers were overcrowded. He was sentenced to 10 days in prison but wasn't given proper medical attention in time.
|
|
| 975476720 |
2020-08-28T19:00:54Z |
208898(3) |
11643(1) |
497(0) |
Deaths |
On 12 August, a 25-year-old man named Alexander Vikhor died in Gomel. He was believed to have a heart-related disease. According to preliminary information, he died because of waiting in a security forces detainee van for many hours in hot weather. He was in the van because the city's temporary detention centers were overcrowded. He was sentenced to 10 days in prison but wasn't given proper medical attention in time.
|
On 12 August, a 25-year-old man named Alexander Vikhor died in Gomel. He is believed to have had a heart-related disease. According to preliminary information, he died because of waiting in a security forces detainee van for many hours in hot weather. He was in the van because the city's temporary detention centers were overcrowded. He was sentenced to 10 days in prison but wasn't given proper medical attention in time.
|
|
| 975512242 |
2020-08-28T23:07:22Z |
208894(-4) |
11642(-1) |
497(0) |
Background |
Alexander Lukashenko has been the head of state of Belarus since 1994, and has not had a serious challenger in the previous five elections, resulting in him being called "Europe's last dictator." Under his authoritarian rule, the government has frequently oppressed the opposition.
|
Alexander Lukashenko has been the head of state of Belarus since 1994, and has not had a serious challenger in the previous five elections, resulting in him being called "Europe's last dictator." Under his authoritarian rule, the government has frequently repressed opposition.
|
|
| 975514374 |
2020-08-28T23:21:21Z |
208692(-202) |
11611(-31) |
497(0) |
Before the election |
The protests, nicknamed the Slipper Revolution and the Anti-Cockroach Revolution, were initiated by businessman and blogger Siarhei Tsikhanouski. He compared Lukashenko to the cockroach in the children's poem The Monster Cockroach (Russian: "Тараканище") by Korney Chukovsky. The original story, published in 1923, concerns a dictatorial yet fragile insect and his brief, chaotic reign of terror over all the other animals. It has been compared to The Emperor's New Clothes. In the original poem, the cockroach is eventually eaten by a sparrow, while Tsikhanouski refers to a slipper signifying stamping on the cockroach. Tsikhanouski traveled across Belarus and streamed interviews with random people on his YouTube channel, Strana Dlya Zhizni (Country for Life). Most of the time, people disagreed with Lukashenko and the current government.
Tsikhanouski was detained in late May 2020 by Belarusian authorities, and was formally accused of being a foreign agent.
In June 2020, street protests against Lukashenko took place. Several opposition candidates were registered for the 2020 Belarusian presidential election, but many of them were arrested.
On 19 June, Lukashenko announced that he had "foiled a coup attempt", resulting in the arrest of main opposition rival Viktar Babaryka. According to information provided by CNN, Babaryka stated that the charges of bribery and corruption were falsified and the arrest was politically motivated to stop him from winning the presidential election. As soon as Babaryka was detained by authorities, people started walking in the streets to demonstrate their disagreement. Opposition activists, protesters, journalists, and bloggers have also been arrested as part of the crackdown. The human rights group Viasna estimated that about 1,300 people had been detained for protesting between early May and early August.
During an interview, Lukashenko claimed that the opposition protests were a part of a foreign plot. He presented the demonstrations as a plot orchestrated by foreigners, whom he suggested might be Americans, NATO members, Russians, or even Ukrainians. Tsikhanouski's wife, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, registered as a candidate in the upcoming election after the arrest of Babaryka.
During the presidential campaign, Lukashenko insisted the constitution was not ready for women. Unregistered candidate Valeriy Tsepkalo's wife Veronika Tsepkalo announced that she and Maria Kalesnikava, head of the Babaryka's presidential campaign staff, would join and provide support to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. By making the female solidarity move, they believed that they would be able to fight and oust Lukashenko.
The protests have led to questions that the conflict may last for months and escalate into violence. There had been speculation that the conflict may evolve into a full revolution, akin to how the Euromaidan protests turned into a revolution in Ukraine in 2014. The German Marshall Fund, a US think tank, noted that the protests were more widespread, and more brutally repressed, than previous protests in Belarus.
|
The protests, nicknamed the Slipper Revolution and the Anti-Cockroach Revolution, were initiated by businessman and blogger Siarhei Tsikhanouski. He compared Lukashenko to the cockroach in the children's poem The Monster Cockroach (Russian: "Тараканище") by Korney Chukovsky.
The original story, published in 1923, concerns a dictatorial yet fragile insect and his brief, chaotic reign of terror over all the other animals. It has been compared to The Emperor's New Clothes. In the original poem, the cockroach is eventually eaten by a sparrow, while Tsikhanouski refers to a slipper signifying stamping on the cockroach.
Tsikhanouski traveled across Belarus and streamed interviews with random people on his YouTube channel, Strana Dlya Zhizni (Country for Life). Most of his respondents expressed disagreement with Lukashenko and the current government.
Tsikhanouski was detained in late May 2020 by Belarusian authorities, and was formally accused of being a foreign agent. In June 2020, street protests against Lukashenko took place. Several opposition candidates were registered for the 2020 Belarusian presidential election, but many of them were arrested.
During an interview, Lukashenko claimed that the opposition protests were a part of a plot orchestrated by foreigners, whom he suggested might be Americans, NATO members, Russians, or even Ukrainians. On 19 June, Lukashenko announced that he had "foiled a coup attempt", resulting in the arrest of main opposition rival Viktar Babaryka. According to CNN, Babaryka stated that the charges of bribery and corruption were falsified and the arrest was politically motivated to stop him from winning the presidential election.
As soon as Babaryka was detained by authorities, people started walking in the streets to demonstrate their disagreement. Opposition activists, protesters, journalists, and bloggers have also been arrested as part of the crackdown. The human rights group Viasna estimated that about 1,300 people had been detained for protesting between early May and early August.
Tsikhanouski's wife Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya registered as a candidate in the upcoming election after the arrest of Babaryka. Lukashenko insisted the constitution was not ready for women to become President. Unregistered candidate Valeriy Tsepkalo's wife Veronika Tsepkalo announced that she and Maria Kalesnikava, head of the Babaryka's presidential campaign staff, would join and provide support to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
The protests have led to questions of how long the conflict may last for, and whether it will escalate into violence, possibly evolving into a full revolution, akin to how the Euromaidan protests turned into a revolution in Ukraine in 2014. The German Marshall Fund, a US think tank, noted that the protests were more widespread, and more brutally repressed, than previous protests in Belarus.
|
|
| 975516345 |
2020-08-28T23:38:14Z |
208759(67) |
11610(-1) |
495(-2) |
Second week |
17 August saw Lukashenko booed and shouted at when he gave a speech at a Minsk wheel tractor plant. He told the audience they would have to kill him to get another election. Meanwhile, a broadcast by the state TV showed empty news desks as TV presenters had walked out on strike. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a video in which she stated that she is ready to lead a transitional government and organise a new, free and fair presidential election. Lukashenko conceded that an early presidential election could be held if a new constitution is adopted, after it has been drafted and a referendum is held and passed. The Prime Minister of Belarus, Roman Golovchenko, and cabinet resigned on 17 August 2020 in accordance with the constitution following an election.
Also, on 17 August, Ukraine recalled its ambassador from Minsk and members of the European Parliament issued a joint statement, stating that they did not recognise Alexander Lukashenko as the president of Belarus and considered him a persona non grata in the European Union. The joint statement also proclaimed that reliable information shows that Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya won the election. Pavel Latushko, director of the Janka Kupala National Theatre in Minsk and former minister of culture, who had previously condemned the violence and cautiously supported the protests, was fired by the Belarusian Ministry of Culture. Miners of the Belaruskaly [ru] potash company in Salihorsk went on strike, refusing to go down the mines, and BMZ Steel Works in Zhlobin suspended work of the steel furnaces. BMZ workers announced to start an indefinite strike if their requirements are not met. Thousands of workers of Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ), Minsk Automobile Works (MAZ), Minsk Motor Works (MMZ; ru), Minsk electrotechnical factory (METZ; ru) and other factories marched through the city to the headquarters of the biggest state TV company and other locations. BelAZ workers in Zhodzina were intimidated by the company management, and their protest rally was postponed. A number of other factories suspended work temporarily (warning strike) or organized rallies with political demands (including Naftan [ru] oil refinery and "Polimir" chemical factory in Novapolatsk, glass fiber factory in Polatsk, Grodno-Azot fertilizer factory). It was reported that 76 people disappeared during the protests in Belarus as of 17 August, because they are not on the lists of arrested and convicted. Igor Leshchenya, the Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia who sided with the protesters and the first official to do so, said that he does not think there is a threat of Russian military intervention, stating that it was in the interests of Russia to "to support new free and fair elections". He also said that a new election was inevitable.
On 18 August, it was reported that international companies in retail, banks, mobile, and food sectors have started pulling their advertising campaigns from Belarusian TV channels, including the state TV. German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke to Vladimir Putin, saying that the Belarusian government must avoid using force against peaceful protesters, immediately release political prisoners and start a national dialogue. In response, Putin warned Merkel that foreign interference in the ex-Soviet state would be unacceptable. The Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia, Igor Leshchenya, resigned, along with four other diplomats. The troupe of Janka Kupala National Theater in Minsk resigned en-masse. The Government of the Republic of Estonia confirmed that they did not recognise the election results. An extract of a letter from Maria Kolesnikova (a member of Tikhanovskaya's headquarters) was published by Ekho Moskvy radio station stating that Belarus should respect all of its existing agreements with Russia, that Russia was an important partner (within the Union State of Russia and Belarus), and that recent tensions were because of Lukashenko. Workers from various additional factories and postal workers joined the strikes and the Komsomolskaya Pravda v Belorusi newspaper said it was unable to print its Tuesday edition focusing on historic protests over the weekend, before announcing it had secured another printer that would produce its print edition a day late. The Belarusian Telegraph Agency issued a misleading video purporting to show Belarusian protesters being violent. Pictures from Belarus were mixed with pictures from the 2019 protests in Catalonia. Demonstrations supporting Lukashenko took place in Mogilev, Gomel, and Khotsimsk. During the pro-Lukashenko rally in Mogliev, a helicopter flew over the attendees with the state flag, while a large state flag was blown off the local government building where it was hung. In Mogilev, one of the activists marching near the executive committee building was deliberately injured by a hit-and-run driver, with no medically significant outcome. In a statement made on 18 August 2020, Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko stated that, "to date, all enterprises in the real sector of the economy are operating normally, conveyers are not stopped anywhere."
On 19 August, the OMON forces dispersed the protesters that had gathered in the morning at the entrance to Minsk Tractor Works; two people were detained. 300 employees at the Minsk Tractor Works reportedly lost their jobs for demonstrating. Other workers were locked in the factory to stop them from walking out. The same day, Alexei Petkevich, endoscopist and employee of the Republican Clinical Medical Center in Minsk, announced that on 14 August, he resigned his job in protest of the mass beatings of the detained protesters, stating, "I was shocked by what I saw. Our people were humiliated and torn to pieces". Natalya Volvacheva, the headmaster of Polotsk school No. 5, also resigned in protest, saying, "My colleagues have been broken down by threats, turned into criminals, and made hostages of the system". Over 200 Belarusian sportsmen and sportswomen, sports journalists and employees of the sports sphere (Yelena Leuchanka, Nikolai Kozeko, Volha Mazuronak, Maryna Arzamasova, Aliaksandra Ramanouskaya, Stepan Popov, and many others) signed an open letter to Alexander Lukashenko, where, among other things, demanded that the last presidential election be invalidated, all the persons detained during the protests be released, all the political prisoners be released and rehabilitated, and those responsible of the beatings and "bestial abuses" of the detainees be identified and punished. Human Rights Watch noted that most of the protests had been peaceful and described the police round-ups as "systemically brutal." Belarusian central election committee said that Mr. Lukashenko would be inaugurated as president for a new term within the next two months. Lukashenko has ordered the police to quell all protests in Minsk and has tightened border controls, checks have been introduced on people entering the TV station, and all state workers have been told they will lose their jobs if they protest, with workers reportedly being brought in from Russia to replace striking workers. Two pro-Lukashenko rallies were held in Barysaw and Babruysk, both of which also featured police helicopters with the state flag. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was also held in Minsk. Others were held in the towns of Luninets and Staryya Darohi. Most of the staff of Radio Stalitsa of the state-owned National State Television and Radio Company of the Republic of Belarus resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. There currently are no broadcasts on the station except for sports news. A demonstration of hundreds chanting "resign" and "let them out" in the evening outside the Interior Ministry in Minsk was allowed to continue peacefully with no police interference.
|
17 August saw Lukashenko booed and shouted at when he gave a speech at a Minsk wheel tractor plant. He told the audience they would have to kill him to get another election. Meanwhile, a broadcast by the state TV showed empty news desks as TV presenters had walked out on strike.Cite error: A tag is missing the closing (see the help page).
and members of the European Parliament issued a joint statement, stating that they did not recognise Alexander Lukashenko as the president of Belarus and considered him a persona non grata in the European Union. The joint statement also proclaimed that reliable information shows that Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya won the election.
17 August 2020. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a video in which she stated that she is ready to lead a transitional government and organise a new, free and fair presidential election. Lukashenko conceded that an early presidential election could be held if a new constitution is adopted, after it has been drafted and a referendum is held and passed. The Prime Minister of Belarus, Roman Golovchenko, and cabinet resigned on 17 August 2020 in accordance with the constitution following an election.
Pavel Latushko, director of the Janka Kupala National Theatre in Minsk and former minister of culture, who had previously condemned the violence and cautiously supported the protests, was fired by the Belarusian Ministry of Culture.
Miners of the Belaruskaly [ru] potash company in Salihorsk went on strike, refusing to go down the mines, and BMZ Steel Works in Zhlobin suspended work of the steel furnaces. BMZ workers announced to start an indefinite strike if their requirements are not met. Thousands of workers of Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ), Minsk Automobile Works (MAZ), Minsk Motor Works (MMZ; ru), Minsk electrotechnical factory (METZ; ru) and other factories marched through the city to the headquarters of the biggest state TV company and other locations. BelAZ workers in Zhodzina were intimidated by the company management, and their protest rally was postponed. A number of other factories suspended work temporarily (warning strike) or organized rallies with political demands (including Naftan [ru] oil refinery and "Polimir" chemical factory in Novapolatsk, glass fiber factory in Polatsk, Grodno-Azot fertilizer factory).
It was reported that 76 people disappeared during the protests in Belarus as of 17 August, because they are not on the lists of arrested and convicted. Igor Leshchenya, the Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia who sided with the protesters and the first official to do so, said that he does not think there is a threat of Russian military intervention, stating that it was in the interests of Russia to "to support new free and fair elections". He also said that a new election was inevitable.
On 18 August, it was reported that international companies in retail, banks, mobile, and food sectors have started pulling their advertising campaigns from Belarusian TV channels, including the state TV. German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke to Vladimir Putin, saying that the Belarusian government must avoid using force against peaceful protesters, immediately release political prisoners and start a national dialogue. In response, Putin warned Merkel that foreign interference in the ex-Soviet state would be unacceptable. The Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia, Igor Leshchenya, resigned, along with four other diplomats.
The troupe of Janka Kupala National Theater in Minsk resigned en-masse. The Government of the Republic of Estonia confirmed that they did not recognise the election results. An extract of a letter from Maria Kolesnikova (a member of Tikhanovskaya's headquarters) was published by Ekho Moskvy radio station stating that Belarus should respect all of its existing agreements with Russia, that Russia was an important partner (within the Union State of Russia and Belarus), and that recent tensions were because of Lukashenko.
Workers from various additional factories and postal workers joined the strikes and the Komsomolskaya Pravda v Belorusi newspaper said it was unable to print its Tuesday edition focusing on historic protests over the weekend, before announcing it had secured another printer that would produce its print edition a day late.
The Belarusian Telegraph Agency issued a misleading video purporting to show Belarusian protesters being violent. Pictures from Belarus were mixed with pictures from the 2019 protests in Catalonia. Demonstrations supporting Lukashenko took place in Mogilev, Gomel, and Khotsimsk. During the pro-Lukashenko rally in Mogliev, a helicopter flew over the attendees with the state flag, while a large state flag was blown off the local government building where it was hung. In Mogilev, one of the activists marching near the executive committee building was deliberately injured by a hit-and-run driver, with no medically significant outcome. In a statement made on 18 August 2020, Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko stated that, "to date, all enterprises in the real sector of the economy are operating normally, conveyers are not stopped anywhere."
On 19 August, the OMON forces dispersed the protesters that had gathered in the morning at the entrance to Minsk Tractor Works; two people were detained. 300 employees at the Minsk Tractor Works reportedly lost their jobs for demonstrating. Other workers were locked in the factory to stop them from walking out. The same day, Alexei Petkevich, endoscopist and employee of the Republican Clinical Medical Center in Minsk, announced that on 14 August, he resigned his job in protest of the mass beatings of the detained protesters, stating, "I was shocked by what I saw. Our people were humiliated and torn to pieces". Natalya Volvacheva, the headmaster of Polotsk school No. 5, also resigned in protest, saying, "My colleagues have been broken down by threats, turned into criminals, and made hostages of the system".
Over 200 Belarusian sportsmen and sportswomen, sports journalists and employees of the sports sphere (Yelena Leuchanka, Nikolai Kozeko, Volha Mazuronak, Maryna Arzamasova, Aliaksandra Ramanouskaya, Stepan Popov, and many others) signed an open letter to Alexander Lukashenko, where, among other things, demanded that the last presidential election be invalidated, all the persons detained during the protests be released, all the political prisoners be released and rehabilitated, and those responsible of the beatings and "bestial abuses" of the detainees be identified and punished. Human Rights Watch noted that most of the protests had been peaceful and described the police round-ups as "systemically brutal." The Belarusian central election committee said that Mr. Lukashenko would be inaugurated as president for a new term within the next two months. Lukashenko has ordered the police to quell all protests in Minsk and has tightened border controls, checks have been introduced on people entering the TV station, and all state workers have been told they will lose their jobs if they protest, with workers reportedly being brought in from Russia to replace striking workers. Two pro-Lukashenko rallies were held in Barysaw and Babruysk, both of which also featured police helicopters with the state flag. A second pro-Lukashenko rally was also held in Minsk. Others were held in the towns of Luninets and Staryya Darohi.
Most of the staff of Radio Stalitsa of the state-owned National State Television and Radio Company of the Republic of Belarus resigned in solidarity with the demonstrators. There currently are no broadcasts on the station except for sports news. A demonstration of hundreds chanting "resign" and "let them out" in the evening outside the Interior Ministry in Minsk was allowed to continue peacefully with no police interference.
|
|
| 975516449 |
2020-08-28T23:39:15Z |
208761(2) |
11612(2) |
495(0) |
Second week |
Lukashenko had announced that an air assault brigade would hold week-long un-scheduled maneuvers starting 17 August in western Belarus before announcing that NATO forces were "at the gates" and threatening the country, prompting President Putin to offer military assistance, opening a possibility of Belarus being taken over through annexation or a "union state". In the early morning of 17 August, several military trucks carrying unmarked soldiers were spotted heading towards Minsk on M1 "Belarus" highway in Russia.
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Lukashenko had announced that an air assault brigade would hold week-long un-scheduled maneuvers starting 17 August in western Belarus before announcing that NATO forces were "at the gates" and threatening the country, prompting President Putin to offer military assistance, opening a possibility of Belarus being taken over through annexation or a "union state". In the early morning of 17 August, several military trucks carrying unmarked soldiers were spotted heading towards Minsk on M1 "Belarus" highway in Russia.
|
|
| 975516666 |
2020-08-28T23:41:43Z |
207835(-926) |
11608(-4) |
493(-2) |
Second week |
17 August saw Lukashenko booed and shouted at when he gave a speech at a Minsk wheel tractor plant. He told the audience they would have to kill him to get another election. Meanwhile, a broadcast by the state TV showed empty news desks as TV presenters had walked out on strike.Cite error: A tag is missing the closing (see the help page).
and members of the European Parliament issued a joint statement, stating that they did not recognise Alexander Lukashenko as the president of Belarus and considered him a persona non grata in the European Union. The joint statement also proclaimed that reliable information shows that Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya won the election.
|
17 August saw Lukashenko booed and shouted at when he gave a speech at a Minsk wheel tractor plant. He told the audience they would have to kill him to get another election. Meanwhile, a broadcast by the state TV showed empty news desks as TV presenters had walked out on strike.
On 17 August, Ukraine recalled its ambassador from Minsk, and members of the European Parliament issued a joint statement, stating that they did not recognise Alexander Lukashenko as the president of Belarus and considered him a persona non grata in the European Union. The joint statement also proclaimed that reliable information shows that Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya won the election.
|
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| 975537640 |
2020-08-29T03:02:16Z |
208761(926) |
11612(4) |
495(2) |
|
17 August saw Lukashenko booed and shouted at when he gave a speech at a Minsk wheel tractor plant. He told the audience they would have to kill him to get another election. Meanwhile, a broadcast by the state TV showed empty news desks as TV presenters had walked out on strike.
On 17 August, Ukraine recalled its ambassador from Minsk, and members of the European Parliament issued a joint statement, stating that they did not recognise Alexander Lukashenko as the president of Belarus and considered him a persona non grata in the European Union. The joint statement also proclaimed that reliable information shows that Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya won the election.
|
17 August saw Lukashenko booed and shouted at when he gave a speech at a Minsk wheel tractor plant. He told the audience they would have to kill him to get another election. Meanwhile, a broadcast by the state TV showed empty news desks as TV presenters had walked out on strike.Cite error: A tag is missing the closing (see the help page).
and members of the European Parliament issued a joint statement, stating that they did not recognise Alexander Lukashenko as the president of Belarus and considered him a persona non grata in the European Union. The joint statement also proclaimed that reliable information shows that Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya won the election.
|
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| 975537969 |
2020-08-29T03:04:20Z |
208577(-184) |
11599(-13) |
496(1) |
|
17 August saw Lukashenko booed and shouted at when he gave a speech at a Minsk wheel tractor plant. He told the audience they would have to kill him to get another election. Meanwhile, a broadcast by the state TV showed empty news desks as TV presenters had walked out on strike.Cite error: A tag is missing the closing (see the help page).
and members of the European Parliament issued a joint statement, stating that they did not recognise Alexander Lukashenko as the president of Belarus and considered him a persona non grata in the European Union. The joint statement also proclaimed that reliable information shows that Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya won the election.
|
17 August saw Lukashenko booed and shouted at when he gave a speech at a Minsk wheel tractor plant. He told the audience they would have to kill him to get another election. Meanwhile, a broadcast by the state TV showed empty news desks as TV presenters had walked out on strike. and members of the European Parliament issued a joint statement, stating that they did not recognise Alexander Lukashenko as the president of Belarus and considered him a persona non grata in the European Union. The joint statement also proclaimed that reliable information shows that Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya won the election.
|
|
| 975580157 |
2020-08-29T08:56:01Z |
209172(595) |
11643(44) |
497(1) |
Attacks on journalists and censorship |
|
On 29 August, accreditation of several foreign journalists was revoked; they worked for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Associated Press, Reuters, BBC, ARD, Radio France Internationale, Deutsche Welle and Current Time TV. It was reported that some of them (including Paul Hansen) were deported from Belarus.
|
|
| 975581919 |
2020-08-29T09:14:05Z |
209733(561) |
11669(26) |
500(3) |
Attacks on journalists and censorship |
On 29 August, accreditation of several foreign journalists was revoked; they worked for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Associated Press, Reuters, BBC, ARD, Radio France Internationale, Deutsche Welle and Current Time TV. It was reported that some of them (including Paul Hansen) were deported from Belarus.
|
On 29 August, accreditation of several foreign journalists was revoked; they worked for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Associated Press, Reuters, AFP, BBC, ARD, Radio France Internationale, Deutsche Welle and Current Time TV. It was reported that some of them (including Paul Hansen) were deported from Belarus. Independent news web sites naviny.by (46th most popular site in Belarus) and nn.by (Nasha Niva; 58th most popular site in Belarus) were blocked in Belarus.
|
|
| 975587650 |
2020-08-29T10:17:50Z |
209586(-147) |
11669(0) |
500(0) |
Third week |
On 27 August, Alexander Lukashenko asked the Russian government to raise a reserve force for deployment to Belarus if necessary. The Government of Belarus declined an invitation from the heads of the governments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to visit Minsk[clarify] to help mediate between the government and the opposition. In the afternoon, around 20 journalists, from both local and international media, were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. They were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation. Later that day, a group of Christians carrying Bibles had gathered outside the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic Church on Independence Square, Minsk in protest of the desecration of the church by the security services that had occurred the previous day. The entrance to the church was blocked by security forces to prevent people from entering or leaving the church. A crowd of demonstrators later formed on Independence Square outside the church which was surrounded by the security forces. Women and children were allowed to leave the square but men were prevented from doing so. At least 150 people were detained. Many of the people who were dispersed from the demonstration on Independence Square continued to march through the city, singing religious songs and chanting anti-government slogans. A pro-Lukashenko rally was held in front of the Belarus supermarket in Minsk, but it was ended abruptly by rain.
|
On 27 August, Alexander Lukashenko asked the Russian government to raise a reserve force for deployment to Belarus if necessary. The Government of Belarus declined an offer from the heads of the governments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to visit Minsk to help mediate between the government and the opposition. In the afternoon, around 20 journalists, from both local and international media, were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. They were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation. Later that day, a group of Christians carrying Bibles had gathered outside the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic Church on Independence Square, Minsk in protest of the desecration of the church by the security services that had occurred the previous day. The entrance to the church was blocked by security forces to prevent people from entering or leaving the church. A crowd of demonstrators later formed on Independence Square outside the church which was surrounded by the security forces. Women and children were allowed to leave the square but men were prevented from doing so. At least 150 people were detained. Many of the people who were dispersed from the demonstration on Independence Square continued to march through the city, singing religious songs and chanting anti-government slogans. A pro-Lukashenko rally was held in front of the Belarus supermarket in Minsk, but it was ended abruptly by rain.
|
|
| 975597809 |
2020-08-29T12:03:22Z |
209586(0) |
11669(0) |
500(0) |
Before the election |
Tsikhanouski's wife Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya registered as a candidate in the upcoming election after the arrest of Babaryka. Lukashenko insisted the constitution was not ready for women to become President. Unregistered candidate Valeriy Tsepkalo's wife Veronika Tsepkalo announced that she and Maria Kalesnikava, head of the Babaryka's presidential campaign staff, would join and provide support to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
|
Tsikhanouski's wife Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya registered as a candidate in the upcoming election after the arrest of Babaryka. Lukashenko insisted the constitution was not ready for women to become president. Unregistered candidate Valeriy Tsepkalo's wife Veronika Tsepkalo announced that she and Maria Kalesnikava, head of the Babaryka's presidential campaign staff, would join and provide support to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
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| 975601153 |
2020-08-29T12:35:46Z |
210017(431) |
11732(63) |
500(0) |
Third week |
|
On 28 August, Anti-Lukashenko demonstrators again gathered on Independence Square in Minsk. The demonstration was broken up by security forces which had encircled the square. Male demonstrators were rounded up and placed into police vans and taken away for questioning. Female demonstrators were allowed to leave the square. A pro-Lukashenko bike ride was held in the city led by Alexander Lukashenko's son Viktor Lukashenko.
|
|
| 975602059 |
2020-08-29T12:44:43Z |
210483(466) |
11752(20) |
507(7) |
Third week |
On 28 August, Anti-Lukashenko demonstrators again gathered on Independence Square in Minsk. The demonstration was broken up by security forces which had encircled the square. Male demonstrators were rounded up and placed into police vans and taken away for questioning. Female demonstrators were allowed to leave the square. A pro-Lukashenko bike ride was held in the city led by Alexander Lukashenko's son Viktor Lukashenko.
|
On 28 August, Anti-Lukashenko demonstrators again gathered on Independence Square in Minsk. The demonstration was broken up by security forces which had encircled the square. Male demonstrators were rounded up and placed into police vans and taken away for questioning. Female demonstrators were allowed to leave the square. Security forces broke up an anti-Lukashenko rally on Pushkin Street in Minsk. Access to several anti government websites and was blocked. A pro-Lukashenko bike ride was held in Minsk led by Alexander Lukashenko's son Viktor Lukashenko.
|
|
| 975602763 |
2020-08-29T12:51:14Z |
210564(81) |
11758(6) |
507(0) |
Third week |
On 26 August, residents began recall proceedings against at least 20 members of the House of Representatives. Coordination Council member and Nobel Prize laureate Svetlana Alexievich was summoned for interrogation but refused to answer any questions and was subsequently released. The home of opposition figure Valery Tsepkalo was raided by police. A group of about 500 employees of BelAZ marched from their place of work to the centre of Zhodzina. By late evening, a group of anti-Lukashenko demonstrators had gathered on Independence Square in Minsk. At around 20:30, security forces began to disperse the crowd, encircling demonstrators and detaining several people. At the same time, mobile internet was turned off in Minsk at the request of the authorities. Security forces locked the doors of the church trapping around 100 people inside. The Catholic Archbishop of Minsk-Mogilev, Yuri Kasabutsky, protested against the actions of the security forces, calling them illegal.
|
On 26 August, residents began recall proceedings against at least 20 members of the House of Representatives. Coordination Council member and Nobel Prize laureate Svetlana Alexievich was summoned for interrogation but refused to answer any questions and was subsequently released. The home of opposition figure Valery Tsepkalo was raided by police. A group of about 500 employees of BelAZ marched from their place of work to the centre of Zhodzina. By late evening, a group of anti-Lukashenko demonstrators had gathered on Independence Square in Minsk. At around 20:30, security forces began to disperse the crowd, encircling demonstrators and detaining several people. At the same time, mobile internet was turned off in Minsk at the request of the authorities. Security forces locked the doors of the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic church trapping around 100 people inside. The Catholic Archbishop of Minsk-Mogilev, Yuri Kasabutsky, protested against the actions of the security forces, calling them illegal.
|
|
| 975605085 |
2020-08-29T13:11:27Z |
211151(587) |
11812(54) |
513(6) |
Third week |
|
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government rally of bikers took place in Minsk. Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace and Victory Square in Minsk and busses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Grodno.
|
|
| 975605419 |
2020-08-29T13:14:51Z |
211307(156) |
11827(15) |
514(1) |
Third week |
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government rally of bikers took place in Minsk. Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace and Victory Square in Minsk and busses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Grodno.
|
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government rally of bikers took place in Minsk. Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace and Victory Square in Minsk and busses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Grodno. A womans solidarity march began on Independence Avenue at 16:00 and headed towards Independence Square.
|
|
| 975605552 |
2020-08-29T13:16:03Z |
211357(50) |
11827(0) |
515(1) |
Third week |
|
|
|
| 975605751 |
2020-08-29T13:18:05Z |
211424(67) |
11829(2) |
516(1) |
Third week |
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government rally of bikers took place in Minsk. Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace and Victory Square in Minsk and busses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Grodno. A womans solidarity march began on Independence Avenue at 16:00 and headed towards Independence Square.
|
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government rally of bikers took place in Minsk. Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace, Victory Square and October Square in Minsk and busses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Grodno. A woman's solidarity march began on Independence Avenue at 16:00 and headed towards Independence Square.
|
|
| 975605978 |
2020-08-29T13:20:18Z |
211421(-3) |
11828(-1) |
516(0) |
Third week |
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government rally of bikers took place in Minsk. Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace, Victory Square and October Square in Minsk and busses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Grodno. A woman's solidarity march began on Independence Avenue at 16:00 and headed towards Independence Square.
|
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government bikers rally took place in Minsk. Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace, Victory Square and October Square in Minsk and busses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Grodno. A woman's solidarity march began on Independence Avenue at 16:00 and headed towards Independence Square.
|
|
| 975608482 |
2020-08-29T13:42:01Z |
211552(131) |
11842(14) |
517(1) |
Third week |
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government bikers rally took place in Minsk. Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace, Victory Square and October Square in Minsk and busses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Grodno. A woman's solidarity march began on Independence Avenue at 16:00 and headed towards Independence Square.
|
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government bikers rally took place in Minsk. Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace, Victory Square and October Square in Minsk and busses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Grodno. A woman's solidarity march began on Independence Avenue at 16:00 and headed towards Independence Square. At least two journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty were detained at this rally.
|
|
| 975608633 |
2020-08-29T13:43:15Z |
211646(94) |
11850(8) |
518(1) |
Third week |
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government bikers rally took place in Minsk. Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace, Victory Square and October Square in Minsk and busses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Grodno. A woman's solidarity march began on Independence Avenue at 16:00 and headed towards Independence Square. At least two journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty were detained at this rally.
|
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government bikers rally took place in Minsk. Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace, Victory Square and October Square in Minsk and busses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Grodno. A woman's solidarity march began on Independence Avenue at 16:00 and headed towards Independence Square where riot police attempted to block its progress. At least two journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty were detained at this rally.
|
|
| 975609151 |
2020-08-29T13:47:37Z |
211629(-17) |
11850(0) |
518(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 975611173 |
2020-08-29T14:03:51Z |
211733(104) |
11861(11) |
518(0) |
Third week |
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government bikers rally took place in Minsk. Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace, Victory Square and October Square in Minsk and busses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Grodno. A woman's solidarity march began on Independence Avenue at 16:00 and headed towards Independence Square where riot police attempted to block its progress. At least two journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty were detained at this rally.
|
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government bikers rally took place in Minsk. Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace, Victory Square and October Square in Minsk and busses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Grodno. A woman's solidarity march, numbering approximately five thousand people, began on Independence Avenue at 16:00 and headed towards Independence Square. Riot police attempted to block its progress but the march was able to pass.https://t.me/belsat/15857 At least two journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty were detained at this rally.
|
|
| 975611277 |
2020-08-29T14:04:45Z |
211738(5) |
11861(0) |
519(1) |
Third week |
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government bikers rally took place in Minsk. Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace, Victory Square and October Square in Minsk and busses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Grodno. A woman's solidarity march, numbering approximately five thousand people, began on Independence Avenue at 16:00 and headed towards Independence Square. Riot police attempted to block its progress but the march was able to pass.https://t.me/belsat/15857 At least two journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty were detained at this rally.
|
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government bikers rally took place in Minsk. Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace, Victory Square and October Square in Minsk and busses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Grodno. A woman's solidarity march, numbering approximately five thousand people, began on Independence Avenue at 16:00 and headed towards Independence Square. Riot police attempted to block its progress but the march was able to pass. At least two journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty were detained at this rally.
|
|
| 975614633 |
2020-08-29T14:29:45Z |
211740(2) |
11860(-1) |
519(0) |
Third week |
On 27 August, Alexander Lukashenko asked the Russian government to raise a reserve force for deployment to Belarus if necessary. The Government of Belarus declined an offer from the heads of the governments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to visit Minsk to help mediate between the government and the opposition. In the afternoon, around 20 journalists, from both local and international media, were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. They were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police supposedly to check their identity and accreditation. Later that day, a group of Christians carrying Bibles had gathered outside the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic Church on Independence Square, Minsk in protest of the desecration of the church by the security services that had occurred the previous day. The entrance to the church was blocked by security forces to prevent people from entering or leaving the church. A crowd of demonstrators later formed on Independence Square outside the church which was surrounded by the security forces. Women and children were allowed to leave the square but men were prevented from doing so. At least 150 people were detained. Many of the people who were dispersed from the demonstration on Independence Square continued to march through the city, singing religious songs and chanting anti-government slogans. A pro-Lukashenko rally was held in front of the Belarus supermarket in Minsk, but it was ended abruptly by rain.
On 28 August, Anti-Lukashenko demonstrators again gathered on Independence Square in Minsk. The demonstration was broken up by security forces which had encircled the square. Male demonstrators were rounded up and placed into police vans and taken away for questioning. Female demonstrators were allowed to leave the square. Security forces broke up an anti-Lukashenko rally on Pushkin Street in Minsk. Access to several anti government websites and was blocked. A pro-Lukashenko bike ride was held in Minsk led by Alexander Lukashenko's son Viktor Lukashenko.
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government bikers rally took place in Minsk. Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace, Victory Square and October Square in Minsk and busses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Grodno. A woman's solidarity march, numbering approximately five thousand people, began on Independence Avenue at 16:00 and headed towards Independence Square. Riot police attempted to block its progress but the march was able to pass. At least two journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty were detained at this rally.
|
On 27 August, Alexander Lukashenko asked the Russian government to raise a reserve force for deployment to Belarus if necessary. The Government of Belarus declined an offer from the heads of the governments of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to visit Minsk to help mediate between the government and the opposition. In the afternoon, around 20 journalists, from both local and international media, were detained on Freedom Square in Minsk. They were taken to the Kastrychnitski district police, supposedly to check their identity and accreditation. Later that day, a group of Christians carrying Bibles had gathered outside the Saints Simon and Helena Roman Catholic Church on Independence Square, Minsk in protest of the desecration of the church by the security services that had occurred the previous day. The entrance to the church was blocked by security forces to prevent people from entering or leaving the church. A crowd of demonstrators later formed on Independence Square outside the church which was surrounded by the security forces. Women and children were allowed to leave the square but men were prevented from doing so. At least 150 people were detained. Many of the people who were dispersed from the demonstration on Independence Square continued to march through the city, singing religious songs and chanting anti-government slogans. A pro-Lukashenko rally was held in front of the Belarus supermarket in Minsk, but it was ended abruptly by rain.
On 28 August, anti-Lukashenko demonstrators again gathered on Independence Square in Minsk. The demonstration was broken up by security forces, which had encircled the square. Male demonstrators were rounded up and placed into police vans and taken away for questioning. Female demonstrators were allowed to leave the square. Security forces broke up an anti-Lukashenko rally on Pushkin Street in Minsk. Access to several anti-government websites and was blocked. A pro-Lukashenko bike ride was held in Minsk led by Alexander Lukashenko's son Viktor Lukashenko.
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government bikers rally took place in Minsk. Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace, Victory Square and October Square in Minsk and buses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Grodno. A woman's solidarity march, numbering approximately five thousand people, began on Independence Avenue at 16:00 and headed towards Independence Square. Riot police attempted to block its progress, but the march was able to pass. At least two journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty were detained at this rally.
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|
| 975615737 |
2020-08-29T14:37:25Z |
211845(105) |
11860(0) |
519(0) |
Symbols |
|
|
|
| 975615843 |
2020-08-29T14:38:10Z |
211853(8) |
11860(0) |
519(0) |
Symbols |
|
|
|
| 975616351 |
2020-08-29T14:41:53Z |
212034(181) |
11888(28) |
519(0) |
Symbols |
The current state flag of Belarus has been universally used at demonstrations in support of Alexander Lukashenko; anti-Lukashenko protesters have used this flag on rare occasions, too.
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The current state flag of Belarus has been universally used at demonstrations in support of Alexander Lukashenko. Other symbols used by pro-Lukashenko demonstrators include the flag of Russia, the flag of the Soviet Union and the Ribbon of Saint George. Anti-Lukashenko protesters have used the current state flag of Belarus flag on rare occasions, too.
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|
| 975616492 |
2020-08-29T14:42:57Z |
212038(4) |
11888(0) |
519(0) |
Symbols |
The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic. A common slogan used by the protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus!.
The current state flag of Belarus has been universally used at demonstrations in support of Alexander Lukashenko. Other symbols used by pro-Lukashenko demonstrators include the flag of Russia, the flag of the Soviet Union and the Ribbon of Saint George. Anti-Lukashenko protesters have used the current state flag of Belarus flag on rare occasions, too.
|
The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic. A common slogan used by the protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus!. Anti-Lukashenko protesters have also used the current state flag of Belarus flag on rare occasions, too.
The current state flag of Belarus has been universally used at demonstrations in support of Alexander Lukashenko. Other symbols used by pro-Lukashenko demonstrators include the flag of Russia, the flag of the Soviet Union and the Ribbon of Saint George.
|
|
| 975623103 |
2020-08-29T15:24:32Z |
212033(-5) |
11887(-1) |
519(0) |
Symbols |
The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic. A common slogan used by the protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus!. Anti-Lukashenko protesters have also used the current state flag of Belarus flag on rare occasions, too.
|
The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic. A common slogan used by the protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus!. Anti-Lukashenko protesters have also used the current state flag of Belarus on rare occasions, too.
|
|
| 975623175 |
2020-08-29T15:24:54Z |
212028(-5) |
11886(-1) |
519(0) |
Symbols |
The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic. A common slogan used by the protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus!. Anti-Lukashenko protesters have also used the current state flag of Belarus on rare occasions, too.
|
The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic. A common slogan used by the protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus!. Anti-Lukashenko protesters have also used the current state flag of Belarus on rare occasions.
|
|
| 975623876 |
2020-08-29T15:28:18Z |
212028(0) |
11886(0) |
519(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 975629768 |
2020-08-29T15:55:12Z |
212101(73) |
11898(12) |
519(0) |
Third week |
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government bikers rally took place in Minsk. Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace, Victory Square and October Square in Minsk and buses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Grodno. A woman's solidarity march, numbering approximately five thousand people, began on Independence Avenue at 16:00 and headed towards Independence Square. Riot police attempted to block its progress, but the march was able to pass. At least two journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty were detained at this rally.
|
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government bikers rally took place in Minsk. Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace, Victory Square and October Square in Minsk and buses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Grodno. A woman's solidarity march, numbering approximately five thousand people, began on Independence Avenue at 16:00 and headed towards Independence Square. Riot police attempted to block its progress, but the march was able to pass. By
19:00 the rally had grown at approximately fifteen thousand people. At least two journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty were detained at this rally.
|
|
| 975631427 |
2020-08-29T16:03:44Z |
212218(117) |
11904(6) |
520(1) |
Symbols |
The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic. A common slogan used by the protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus!. Anti-Lukashenko protesters have also used the current state flag of Belarus on rare occasions.
|
The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic and the traditional folk song Pahonia. A common slogan used by the protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus!. Anti-Lukashenko protesters have also used the current state flag of Belarus on rare occasions.
|
|
| 975632273 |
2020-08-29T16:08:09Z |
212219(1) |
11904(0) |
520(0) |
Symbols |
|
|
|
| 975632990 |
2020-08-29T16:12:09Z |
212321(102) |
11904(0) |
521(1) |
Symbols |
|
|
|
| 975637266 |
2020-08-29T16:36:34Z |
212444(123) |
11914(10) |
522(1) |
Third week |
19:00 the rally had grown at approximately fifteen thousand people. At least two journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty were detained at this rally.
|
19:00 the rally had grown at approximately fifteen thousand people and was heading towards Bangalore Square. At least two journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and one journalist from Belsat were detained at this rally.
|
|
| 975637400 |
2020-08-29T16:37:15Z |
212444(0) |
11914(0) |
522(0) |
Third week |
19:00 the rally had grown at approximately fifteen thousand people and was heading towards Bangalore Square. At least two journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and one journalist from Belsat were detained at this rally.
|
19:00 the rally had grown at approximately fifteen thousand people and was heading towards Bangalore Square. At least two journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and one journalist from TUT.by were detained at this rally.
|
|
| 975638950 |
2020-08-29T16:47:24Z |
212552(108) |
11924(10) |
523(1) |
Third week |
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government bikers rally took place in Minsk. Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace, Victory Square and October Square in Minsk and buses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Grodno. A woman's solidarity march, numbering approximately five thousand people, began on Independence Avenue at 16:00 and headed towards Independence Square. Riot police attempted to block its progress, but the march was able to pass. By
19:00 the rally had grown at approximately fifteen thousand people and was heading towards Bangalore Square. At least two journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and one journalist from TUT.by were detained at this rally.
|
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government bikers rally took place in Minsk. Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace, Victory Square and October Square in Minsk and buses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Minsk. A woman's solidarity march, numbering approximately five thousand people, began on Independence Avenue at 16:00 and headed towards Independence Square. Riot police attempted to block its progress, but the march was able to pass. By
19:00 the rally had grown at approximately fifteen thousand people and was heading towards Bangalore Square, again overpowering security forces that tried to block its progress. At least two journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and one journalist from TUT.by were detained at this rally.
|
|
| 975650004 |
2020-08-29T17:53:28Z |
212809(257) |
11941(17) |
526(3) |
Third week |
19:00 the rally had grown at approximately fifteen thousand people and was heading towards Bangalore Square, again overpowering security forces that tried to block its progress. At least two journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and one journalist from TUT.by were detained at this rally.
|
19:00 the rally had grown at approximately fifteen thousand people and was heading towards Bangalore Square, again overpowering security forces that tried to block its progress. At least two journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and one journalist from TUT.by were detained at this rally. An anti-Lukashenko demonstration was also held in Brest. Solidarity demonstrations took place in Jerusalem and in Frankfurt.
|
|
| 975652455 |
2020-08-29T18:07:27Z |
212861(52) |
11947(6) |
526(0) |
Symbols |
The current state flag of Belarus has been universally used at demonstrations in support of Alexander Lukashenko. Other symbols used by pro-Lukashenko demonstrators include the flag of Russia, the flag of the Soviet Union and the Ribbon of Saint George.
|
The current state flag of Belarus has been universally used at demonstrations in support of Alexander Lukashenko. Other symbols used by pro-Lukashenko demonstrators include the current national emblem of Belarus, the flag of Russia, the flag of the Soviet Union and the Ribbon of Saint George.
|
|
| 975667829 |
2020-08-29T19:33:32Z |
213031(170) |
11947(0) |
526(0) |
Election day |
|
|
|
| 975676318 |
2020-08-29T20:22:46Z |
213167(136) |
11947(0) |
526(0) |
Third week |
|
|
|
| 975678371 |
2020-08-29T20:35:55Z |
213636(469) |
11947(0) |
526(0) |
Gallery |
|
|
|
| 975699766 |
2020-08-29T22:56:51Z |
213636(0) |
11947(0) |
526(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 975710237 |
2020-08-30T00:30:45Z |
213614(-22) |
11947(0) |
526(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 975749911 |
2020-08-30T06:09:59Z |
213613(-1) |
11947(0) |
526(0) |
|
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government bikers rally took place in Minsk. Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace, Victory Square and October Square in Minsk and buses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Minsk. A woman's solidarity march, numbering approximately five thousand people, began on Independence Avenue at 16:00 and headed towards Independence Square. Riot police attempted to block its progress, but the march was able to pass. By
|
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government bikers rally took place in Minsk Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace, Victory Square and October Square in Minsk and buses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Minsk. A woman's solidarity march, numbering approximately five thousand people, began on Independence Avenue at 16:00 and headed towards Independence Square. Riot police attempted to block its progress, but the march was able to pass. By
|
|
| 975750122 |
2020-08-30T06:11:08Z |
213649(36) |
11947(0) |
526(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 975751779 |
2020-08-30T06:25:45Z |
213675(26) |
11947(0) |
526(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 975776640 |
2020-08-30T10:35:39Z |
213694(19) |
11947(0) |
526(0) |
Third week |
|
|
|
| 975777937 |
2020-08-30T10:48:31Z |
214696(1002) |
12064(117) |
529(3) |
Fourth week |
|
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Lukashenko's opponents have planned a series of rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence which will proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents have been asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at his official residences around the country.
|
|
| 975778084 |
2020-08-30T10:50:01Z |
214852(156) |
12064(0) |
529(0) |
Coordination Council |
|
|
|
| 975778259 |
2020-08-30T10:51:29Z |
214853(1) |
12064(0) |
529(0) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Lukashenko's opponents have planned a series of rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence which will proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents have been asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at his official residences around the country.
|
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Lukashenko's opponents have planned a series of rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which will proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents have been asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at his official residences around the country.
|
|
| 975778707 |
2020-08-30T10:55:59Z |
215098(245) |
12088(24) |
530(1) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Lukashenko's opponents have planned a series of rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which will proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents have been asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at his official residences around the country.
|
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Lukashenko's opponents have planned a series of rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which will proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents have been asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at his official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture.
|
|
| 975779096 |
2020-08-30T10:59:16Z |
215393(295) |
12119(31) |
531(1) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Lukashenko's opponents have planned a series of rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which will proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents have been asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at his official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture.
|
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents have planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents have been asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at his official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture.
|
|
| 975779960 |
2020-08-30T11:08:36Z |
215443(50) |
12119(0) |
532(1) |
Fourth week |
|
|
|
| 975780253 |
2020-08-30T11:11:30Z |
215543(100) |
12119(0) |
534(2) |
Fourth week |
|
|
|
| 975780949 |
2020-08-30T11:18:34Z |
215745(202) |
12138(19) |
536(2) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents have planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents have been asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at his official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture.
|
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents have planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents have been asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at his official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans.
|
|
| 975781224 |
2020-08-30T11:21:28Z |
215836(91) |
12138(0) |
536(0) |
Fourth week |
|
|
|
| 975783018 |
2020-08-30T11:39:44Z |
215987(151) |
12156(18) |
536(0) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents have planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents have been asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at his official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans.
|
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents have planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents have been asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at his official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. Nastoyaschee Vremya TV began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which can be watched here.
|
|
| 975783651 |
2020-08-30T11:44:47Z |
216237(250) |
12178(22) |
537(1) |
First week |
On August 11th, 2020 Molotov cocktails began to be thrown at security officials in Minsk. Activists built barricades and began to burn tires near the capital's shopping center "Riga", the area near which will become one of the main places of clashes between activists and law enforcement officers. Telegram channel NEXTA, used by the opposition, published messages alleging violence by law enforcement officers, which were not always accompanied by video or photo confirmation. Telegram published aggressive vocabulary against law enforcement, such as "punishers" and "fascists".
|
On August 11th, 2020 Molotov cocktails began to be thrown at security officials in Minsk. Activists built barricades and began to burn tires near the capital's shopping center "Riga", the area near which will become one of the main places of clashes between activists and law enforcement officers. Telegram channel NEXTA, used by the opposition, published messages alleging violence by law enforcement officers, which were not always accompanied by video or photo confirmation. Telegram published aggressive vocabulary against law enforcement, such as "punishers" and "fascists". Telegram was one of the few accessible resources during a concurrent internet blackout and VPN usage was ubiquitous, with Psiphon usage skyrocketing.
|
|
| 975785090 |
2020-08-30T11:59:13Z |
216542(305) |
12214(36) |
539(2) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents have planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents have been asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at his official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. Nastoyaschee Vremya TV began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which can be watched here.
|
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents have planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents have been asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at his official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. Nastoyaschee Vremya TV began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which can be watched here. At aproxametely 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.
|
|
| 975785959 |
2020-08-30T12:06:37Z |
216581(39) |
12214(0) |
540(1) |
Fourth week |
|
|
|
| 975786356 |
2020-08-30T12:10:52Z |
216641(60) |
12223(9) |
540(0) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents have planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents have been asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at his official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. Nastoyaschee Vremya TV began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which can be watched here. At aproxametely 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents have planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents have been asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at his official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. Nastoyaschee Vremya TV began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which can be watched here. At aproxametely 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.
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| 975788480 |
2020-08-30T12:30:10Z |
216879(238) |
12237(14) |
543(3) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents have planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents have been asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at his official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. Nastoyaschee Vremya TV began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which can be watched here. At aproxametely 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents have planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents have been asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at his official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. Nastoyaschee Vremya TV began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which can be watched here. At aproxametely 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were taking place in Gomel Brest, Grodno and several other cities.
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| 975788968 |
2020-08-30T12:33:17Z |
217026(147) |
12255(18) |
544(1) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents have planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents have been asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at his official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. Nastoyaschee Vremya TV began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which can be watched here. At aproxametely 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were taking place in Gomel Brest, Grodno and several other cities.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents have planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents have been asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at his official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. Nastoyaschee Vremya TV began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which can be watched here. At aproxametely 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which is guarded by security forces. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno and several other cities.
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| 975789131 |
2020-08-30T12:34:20Z |
217065(39) |
12255(0) |
545(1) |
Fourth week |
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| 975790832 |
2020-08-30T12:47:13Z |
217103(38) |
12255(0) |
546(1) |
Fourth week |
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| 975791309 |
2020-08-30T12:50:12Z |
217139(36) |
12256(1) |
546(0) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents have planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents have been asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at his official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. Nastoyaschee Vremya TV began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which can be watched here. At aproxametely 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which is guarded by security forces. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno and several other cities.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents have planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents have been asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at his official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here. At aproxametely 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which is guarded by security forces. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno and several other cities.
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| 975791741 |
2020-08-30T12:52:40Z |
217182(43) |
12256(0) |
546(0) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents have planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents have been asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at his official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here. At aproxametely 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which is guarded by security forces. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno and several other cities.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents have planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents have been asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at his official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here. At aproxametely 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno and several other cities.
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| 975792311 |
2020-08-30T12:56:08Z |
217221(39) |
12256(0) |
547(1) |
Fourth week |
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| 975792847 |
2020-08-30T12:59:15Z |
217252(31) |
12256(0) |
547(0) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents have planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents have been asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at his official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here. At aproxametely 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno and several other cities.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At aproxametely 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno and several other cities.
|
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| 975793081 |
2020-08-30T13:00:33Z |
217304(52) |
12257(1) |
548(1) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At aproxametely 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno and several other cities.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At aproxametely 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk and several other cities.
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| 975794551 |
2020-08-30T13:09:40Z |
217461(157) |
12270(13) |
549(1) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At aproxametely 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk and several other cities.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At aproxametely 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk and several other cities.
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| 975795500 |
2020-08-30T13:15:45Z |
217462(1) |
12270(0) |
549(0) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At aproxametely 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk and several other cities.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk and several other cities.
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| 975796865 |
2020-08-30T13:25:46Z |
217544(82) |
12279(9) |
550(1) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk and several other cities.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk and several other cities.
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| 975797047 |
2020-08-30T13:27:20Z |
217568(24) |
12281(2) |
550(0) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk and several other cities.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk and several other towns and cities.
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| 975797138 |
2020-08-30T13:28:08Z |
217609(41) |
12281(0) |
551(1) |
Fourth week |
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| 975797244 |
2020-08-30T13:28:59Z |
217605(-4) |
12280(-1) |
551(0) |
Third week |
On 28 August, anti-Lukashenko demonstrators again gathered on Independence Square in Minsk. The demonstration was broken up by security forces, which had encircled the square. Male demonstrators were rounded up and placed into police vans and taken away for questioning. Female demonstrators were allowed to leave the square. Security forces broke up an anti-Lukashenko rally on Pushkin Street in Minsk. Access to several anti-government websites and was blocked. A pro-Lukashenko bike ride was held in Minsk led by Alexander Lukashenko's son Viktor Lukashenko.
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On 28 August, anti-Lukashenko demonstrators again gathered on Independence Square in Minsk. The demonstration was broken up by security forces, which had encircled the square. Male demonstrators were rounded up and placed into police vans and taken away for questioning. Female demonstrators were allowed to leave the square. Security forces broke up an anti-Lukashenko rally on Pushkin Street in Minsk. Access to several anti-government websites was blocked. A pro-Lukashenko bike ride was held in Minsk led by Alexander Lukashenko's son Viktor Lukashenko.
|
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| 975797627 |
2020-08-30T13:32:29Z |
217757(152) |
12293(13) |
553(2) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk and several other towns and cities.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk and several other towns and cities.
|
|
| 975798101 |
2020-08-30T13:37:24Z |
217883(126) |
12297(4) |
553(0) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk and several other towns and cities.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and BelSAT began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here and here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk and several other towns and cities.
|
|
| 975798389 |
2020-08-30T13:39:42Z |
217933(50) |
12297(0) |
554(1) |
Fourth week |
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|
|
| 975800380 |
2020-08-30T13:56:17Z |
218226(293) |
12335(38) |
555(1) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and BelSAT began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here and here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk and several other towns and cities.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and BelSAT began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here and here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk and several other towns and cities.
|
|
| 975800902 |
2020-08-30T13:59:34Z |
218248(22) |
12339(4) |
555(0) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue towards Government House on Independence Square. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and BelSAT began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here and here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk and several other towns and cities.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and BelSAT began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here and here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk and several other towns and cities.
|
|
| 975801236 |
2020-08-30T14:02:03Z |
218247(-1) |
12339(0) |
555(0) |
Fourth week |
|
|
|
| 975801808 |
2020-08-30T14:06:51Z |
218330(83) |
12345(6) |
556(1) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and BelSAT began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here and here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk and several other towns and cities.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and BelSAT began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here and here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk and several other towns and cities.
|
|
| 975804844 |
2020-08-30T14:30:47Z |
218551(221) |
12372(27) |
557(1) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and BelSAT began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here and here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk and several other towns and cities.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and BelSAT began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here and here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk and several other towns and cities.
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|
| 975804975 |
2020-08-30T14:31:55Z |
218563(12) |
12373(1) |
557(0) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and BelSAT began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here and here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk and several other towns and cities.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and BelSAT began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here and here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities.
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| 975807348 |
2020-08-30T14:50:18Z |
218969(406) |
12373(0) |
557(0) |
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On 29 July, 33 alleged mercenaries from the Wagner Group, a Russian private military company, were arrested in a sanatorium near Minsk. Lukashenko accused Russia of lying about the arrested "mercenaries", saying "So far there is no open warfare, no shooting, the trigger has not yet been pulled, but an attempt to organize a massacre in the center of Minsk is already obvious." Belarusian authorities claimed that Tsikhanouski was working with Russians to destabilize Belarus. All but one of the mercenaries, who is a Belarusian national and remains in custody, were deported to Russia on 14 August despite a request from Ukraine for their extradition.
On August 11th, 2020 Molotov cocktails began to be thrown at security officials in Minsk. Activists built barricades and began to burn tires near the capital's shopping center "Riga", the area near which will become one of the main places of clashes between activists and law enforcement officers. Telegram channel NEXTA, used by the opposition, published messages alleging violence by law enforcement officers, which were not always accompanied by video or photo confirmation. Telegram published aggressive vocabulary against law enforcement, such as "punishers" and "fascists". Telegram was one of the few accessible resources during a concurrent internet blackout and VPN usage was ubiquitous, with Psiphon usage skyrocketing.
29-year-old Konstantin Shishmakov (Belarussian: Kanstantsin Shyshmakou), director of the Bagration Military History Museum in Vawkavysk, disappeared on August 15. As a member of election commission, he refused to sign the protocols, called his wife at about 5 pm and said: "I will not work here anymore, I am going home." But he never came home. Later he was found dead in a river. This was announced by the search and rescue squad "Angel".
On 19 August, 43-year-old Gennady Shutov died in the Minsk military hospital after he had received a gunshot to his head during the August 11 protests in Brest; reportedly, the shot was fired by the police.
On 21 August, 72 or 73 websites were blocked in Belarus, including several independent news portals (Radio Liberty/Free Europe in Belarus svaboda.org, by.tribuna.com sport news, euroradio.fm, belsat.eu, gazetaby.com, the-village.me/news and others), electoral sites of Tsepkalo and Babaryko, "Golos" and "Zubr" platforms, spring96.org human rights portal, and several VPN services.
According to Russia's press service statement issued on August 19th, 2020, "Russia pointed out that foreign attempts to interfere in the country’s domestic affairs were unacceptable and could further escalate tensions" As Georgy Saralidze, advisor to the director of the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company on program policy, noted in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza that western countries had been striving to isolate Belarus away from Russia for several years. “The main goal is to prevent the expansion of the Union State, and ideally just to destroy it. What Vladimir Putin said to Merkel and Macron is a very symptomatic thing, because now there are attacks that Russia allegedly interferes in the affairs of Belarus. Moreover, there are no statements on the part of Russia, apart from the recognition of the election results. If you call it interference, then those who do not recognize the election also interfere in the affairs of Belarus."
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On 29 July 33 alleged mercenaries from the Wagner Group, a Russian private military company, were arrested in a sanatorium near Minsk. Lukashenko accused Russia of lying about the arrested "mercenaries", saying "So far there is no open warfare, no shooting, the trigger has not yet been pulled, but an attempt to organize a massacre in the center of Minsk is already obvious." Belarusian authorities claimed that Tsikhanouski was working with Russians to destabilize Belarus. All but one of the mercenaries, who is a Belarusian national and remains in custody, were deported to Russia on 14 August despite a request from Ukraine for their extradition.
On 11 August 2020 Molotov cocktails began to be thrown at security officials in Minsk. Activists built barricades and began to burn tires near the capital's shopping center "Riga", the area near which will become one of the main places of clashes between activists and law enforcement officers. Telegram channel NEXTA, used by the opposition, published messages alleging violence by law enforcement officers, which were not always accompanied by video or photo confirmation. Telegram published aggressive vocabulary against law enforcement, such as "punishers" and "fascists". Telegram was one of the few accessible resources during a concurrent internet blackout and VPN usage was ubiquitous, with Psiphon usage skyrocketing.
29-year-old Konstantin Shishmakov (Belarussian: Kanstantsin Shyshmakou), director of the Bagration Military History Museum in Vawkavysk, disappeared on 15 August. As a member of election commission, he refused to sign the protocols, called his wife at about 5 pm and said: "I will not work here anymore, I am going home." But he never came home. Later he was found dead in a river. This was announced by the search and rescue squad "Angel".
On 19 August 43-year-old Gennady Shutov died in the Minsk military hospital after he had received a gunshot to his head during the 11 August protests in Brest; reportedly, the shot was fired by the police.
On 21 August 72 or 73 websites were blocked in Belarus, including several independent news portals (Radio Liberty/Free Europe in Belarus svaboda.org, by.tribuna.com sport news, euroradio.fm, belsat.eu, gazetaby.com, the-village.me/news and others), electoral sites of Tsepkalo and Babaryko, "Golos" and "Zubr" platforms, spring96.org human rights portal, and several VPN services.
According to Russia's press service statement issued on 19 August 2020, "Russia pointed out that foreign attempts to interfere in the country’s domestic affairs were unacceptable and could further escalate tensions" As Georgy Saralidze, advisor to the director of the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company on program policy, noted in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza that western countries had been striving to isolate Belarus away from Russia for several years. “The main goal is to prevent the expansion of the Union State, and ideally just to destroy it. What Vladimir Putin said to Merkel and Macron is a very symptomatic thing, because now there are attacks that Russia allegedly interferes in the affairs of Belarus. Moreover, there are no statements on the part of Russia, apart from the recognition of the election results. If you call it interference, then those who do not recognize the election also interfere in the affairs of Belarus."
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| 975812209 |
2020-08-30T15:22:16Z |
219193(224) |
12400(27) |
558(1) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and BelSAT began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here and here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and BelSAT began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here and here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released a photograph of Lukashenko walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities.
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| 975814805 |
2020-08-30T15:38:44Z |
219299(106) |
12400(0) |
558(0) |
Fourth week |
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| 975815874 |
2020-08-30T15:44:27Z |
219406(107) |
12409(9) |
559(1) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations have been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and BelSAT began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here and here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released a photograph of Lukashenko walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and BelSAT began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here and here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released a photograph of Lukashenko walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
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| 975816521 |
2020-08-30T15:47:44Z |
219564(158) |
12431(22) |
560(1) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and BelSAT began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here and here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released a photograph of Lukashenko walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and BelSAT began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here and here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00 most of the crowd had moved back towards the city centre, partly due to a thunderstorm that had broken out. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released a photograph of Lukashenko walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
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| 975816603 |
2020-08-30T15:48:03Z |
219560(-4) |
12431(0) |
560(0) |
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| 975816790 |
2020-08-30T15:49:07Z |
219562(2) |
12432(1) |
560(0) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and BelSAT began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here and here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00 most of the crowd had moved back towards the city centre, partly due to a thunderstorm that had broken out. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released a photograph of Lukashenko walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and BelSAT began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here and here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00 most of the crowd had moved back towards the city centre, partly due to a thunderstorm that had broken out. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released an undated photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
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| 975818151 |
2020-08-30T15:58:56Z |
219650(88) |
12446(14) |
560(0) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and BelSAT began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here and here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00 most of the crowd had moved back towards the city centre, partly due to a thunderstorm that had broken out. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released an undated photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
|
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and BelSAT began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here and here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00 most of the crowd had moved back towards the city centre, partly due to a thunderstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to gather at State Flag Square and outside the Castle shopping centre. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released an undated photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
|
|
| 975819632 |
2020-08-30T16:07:24Z |
219337(-313) |
12423(-23) |
560(0) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and BelSAT began live broadcasts of the events taking place in Minsk, which could be watched here and here. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00 most of the crowd had moved back towards the city centre, partly due to a thunderstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to gather at State Flag Square and outside the Castle shopping centre. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released an undated photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
|
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00 most of the crowd had moved back towards the city centre, partly due to a thunderstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to gather at State Flag Square and outside the Castle shopping centre. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released an undated photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
|
|
| 975819874 |
2020-08-30T16:08:50Z |
219337(0) |
12423(0) |
560(0) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00 most of the crowd had moved back towards the city centre, partly due to a thunderstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to gather at State Flag Square and outside the Castle shopping centre. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released an undated photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00 most of the crowd had moved back towards the city centre, partly due to a thunderstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to remain at State Flag Square and outside the Castle shopping centre. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released an undated photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
|
|
| 975820999 |
2020-08-30T16:14:43Z |
219418(81) |
12423(0) |
560(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 975824924 |
2020-08-30T16:34:23Z |
219553(135) |
12437(14) |
561(1) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00 most of the crowd had moved back towards the city centre, partly due to a thunderstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to remain at State Flag Square and outside the Castle shopping centre. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released an undated photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00 most of the crowd had moved back towards the city centre, partly due to a thunderstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to remain at State Flag Square, outside the Castle shopping centre and in the streets around the city centre where people continued to chant anti-Lukashenko slogans. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released an undated photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
|
|
| 975836540 |
2020-08-30T17:37:36Z |
220116(563) |
12437(0) |
561(0) |
Gallery |
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|
| 975837193 |
2020-08-30T17:41:23Z |
220371(255) |
12437(0) |
561(0) |
Fourth week |
|
|
|
| 975844467 |
2020-08-30T18:27:50Z |
220386(15) |
12437(0) |
561(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 975861741 |
2020-08-30T20:26:16Z |
220337(-49) |
12437(0) |
561(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 975864627 |
2020-08-30T20:47:14Z |
220216(-121) |
12437(0) |
561(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 975875453 |
2020-08-30T22:08:09Z |
220333(117) |
12454(17) |
561(0) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of tanks moving through the streets of Minsk. Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had reached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00 most of the crowd had moved back towards the city centre, partly due to a thunderstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to remain at State Flag Square, outside the Castle shopping centre and in the streets around the city centre where people continued to chant anti-Lukashenko slogans. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released an undated photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun. By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of "tanks" moving through the streets of Minsk (which later turned out to be several BTR-80 military vehicles). Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had breached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00 most of the crowd had moved back towards the city center, partly due to a hailstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to remain at State Flag Square, outside the Castle shopping center and in the streets around the city center where people continued to chant anti-Lukashenko slogans. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released a dated photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun (presumably from his "standoff" a week earlier). By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
|
|
| 975877551 |
2020-08-30T22:22:48Z |
220347(14) |
12454(0) |
561(0) |
|
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|
| 975877998 |
2020-08-30T22:25:51Z |
220348(1) |
12454(0) |
561(0) |
Allegations of foreign interference |
According to Russia's press service statement issued on 19 August 2020, "Russia pointed out that foreign attempts to interfere in the country’s domestic affairs were unacceptable and could further escalate tensions" As Georgy Saralidze, advisor to the director of the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company on program policy, noted in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza that western countries had been striving to isolate Belarus away from Russia for several years. “The main goal is to prevent the expansion of the Union State, and ideally just to destroy it. What Vladimir Putin said to Merkel and Macron is a very symptomatic thing, because now there are attacks that Russia allegedly interferes in the affairs of Belarus. Moreover, there are no statements on the part of Russia, apart from the recognition of the election results. If you call it interference, then those who do not recognize the election also interfere in the affairs of Belarus."
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According to Russia's press service statement issued on 19 August 2020, "Russia pointed out that foreign attempts to interfere in the country’s domestic affairs were unacceptable and could further escalate tensions". As Georgy Saralidze, advisor to the director of the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company on program policy, noted in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza that western countries had been striving to isolate Belarus away from Russia for several years. “The main goal is to prevent the expansion of the Union State, and ideally just to destroy it. What Vladimir Putin said to Merkel and Macron is a very symptomatic thing, because now there are attacks that Russia allegedly interferes in the affairs of Belarus. Moreover, there are no statements on the part of Russia, apart from the recognition of the election results. If you call it interference, then those who do not recognize the election also interfere in the affairs of Belarus."
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| 975880297 |
2020-08-30T22:46:06Z |
220365(17) |
12454(0) |
561(0) |
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| 975884314 |
2020-08-30T23:24:45Z |
226381(6016) |
12454(0) |
561(0) |
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| 975884497 |
2020-08-30T23:26:30Z |
226345(-36) |
12454(0) |
561(0) |
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|
|
| 975916531 |
2020-08-31T04:03:11Z |
226401(56) |
12464(10) |
561(0) |
Before the election |
The protests, nicknamed the Slipper Revolution and the Anti-Cockroach Revolution, were initiated by businessman and blogger Siarhei Tsikhanouski. He compared Lukashenko to the cockroach in the children's poem The Monster Cockroach (Russian: "Тараканище") by Korney Chukovsky.
The original story, published in 1923, concerns a dictatorial yet fragile insect and his brief, chaotic reign of terror over all the other animals. It has been compared to The Emperor's New Clothes. In the original poem, the cockroach is eventually eaten by a sparrow, while Tsikhanouski refers to a slipper signifying stamping on the cockroach.
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The protests, nicknamed the Slipper Revolution and the Anti-Cockroach Revolution, were initiated by businessman and blogger Siarhei Tsikhanouski when he made a reference to the children's poem The Monster Cockroach (Russian: "Тараканище") by Korney Chukovsky.
The original story, published in 1923, concerns a dictatorial yet fragile insect and his brief, chaotic reign of terror over all the other animals. It has been compared to The Emperor's New Clothes. In his reference, Tsikhanouski compared Lukashenko to the cockroach in the story. In the original poem, the cockroach is eventually eaten by a sparrow; Tsikhanouski refers to a slipper signifying stamping on the cockroach.
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| 975952948 |
2020-08-31T10:16:38Z |
226451(50) |
12464(0) |
561(0) |
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| 975953202 |
2020-08-31T10:18:56Z |
226401(-50) |
12464(0) |
561(0) |
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|
| 975953706 |
2020-08-31T10:24:02Z |
226594(193) |
12464(0) |
561(0) |
Third week |
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| 975953806 |
2020-08-31T10:25:10Z |
226599(5) |
12464(0) |
561(0) |
Coordination Council |
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| 975958605 |
2020-08-31T11:10:58Z |
226905(306) |
12480(16) |
562(1) |
Fourth week |
|
On 31 August Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has been invited to address the United Nations Security Council on Friday.
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| 975958659 |
2020-08-31T11:11:25Z |
226906(1) |
12480(0) |
562(0) |
|
On 14 August, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya claimed that she had received 60–70% of the vote and announced the creation of the Coordination Council, with membership applications open to all Belarusians who agree that the election had been falsified.
|
On 14 August, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya claimed that she had received 60–70% of the vote and announced the creation of the Coordination Council, with membership applications open to all Belarusians who agreed that the election had been falsified.
|
|
| 975961647 |
2020-08-31T11:36:39Z |
226910(4) |
12480(0) |
562(0) |
Fourth week |
|
|
|
| 975962878 |
2020-08-31T11:46:36Z |
226563(-347) |
12480(0) |
562(0) |
First week |
|
|
|
| 975964813 |
2020-08-31T12:02:34Z |
226910(347) |
12480(0) |
562(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 975968338 |
2020-08-31T12:34:59Z |
226907(-3) |
12480(0) |
562(0) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of "tanks" moving through the streets of Minsk (which later turned out to be several BTR-80 military vehicles). Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had breached the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00 most of the crowd had moved back towards the city center, partly due to a hailstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to remain at State Flag Square, outside the Castle shopping center and in the streets around the city center where people continued to chant anti-Lukashenko slogans. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released a dated photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun (presumably from his "standoff" a week earlier). By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
|
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of "tanks" moving through the streets of Minsk (which later turned out to be several BTR-80 military vehicles). Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had appeared at the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00 most of the crowd had moved back towards the city center, partly due to a hailstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to remain at State Flag Square, outside the Castle shopping center and in the streets around the city center where people continued to chant anti-Lukashenko slogans. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released a photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun (presumably from his "standoff" a week earlier). By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
|
|
| 975968774 |
2020-08-31T12:39:01Z |
227227(320) |
12509(29) |
563(1) |
Fourth week |
On 31 August Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has been invited to address the United Nations Security Council on Friday.
|
On 31 August Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has been invited to address the United Nations Security Council on Friday. Metropolitan Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, the head of the Roman Catholic Church in the Belarus, was prevented from entering the country after a visit to Poland, despite being a Belarusian citizen.
|
|
| 975969127 |
2020-08-31T12:42:03Z |
227392(165) |
12523(14) |
564(1) |
Fourth week |
On 31 August Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has been invited to address the United Nations Security Council on Friday. Metropolitan Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, the head of the Roman Catholic Church in the Belarus, was prevented from entering the country after a visit to Poland, despite being a Belarusian citizen.
|
On 31 August Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has been invited to address the United Nations Security Council on Friday. Metropolitan Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, the head of the Roman Catholic Church in the Belarus, was prevented from entering the country after a visit to Poland, despite being a Belarusian citizen. Metropolitan Kondrusiewicz had earlier stated that he believed the presidential election had been dishonest.
|
|
| 975969943 |
2020-08-31T12:49:29Z |
227485(93) |
12529(6) |
564(0) |
Fourth week |
On 31 August Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has been invited to address the United Nations Security Council on Friday. Metropolitan Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, the head of the Roman Catholic Church in the Belarus, was prevented from entering the country after a visit to Poland, despite being a Belarusian citizen. Metropolitan Kondrusiewicz had earlier stated that he believed the presidential election had been dishonest.
|
On 31 August Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has been invited to address the United Nations Security Council on Friday. Metropolitan Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, the Archbishop of Minsk and Mahilyow and head of the Roman Catholic Church in the Belarus, was prevented from entering the country after a visit to Poland, despite being a Belarusian citizen. Metropolitan Kondrusiewicz had earlier stated that he believed the presidential election had been dishonest.
|
|
| 975970420 |
2020-08-31T12:53:29Z |
227475(-10) |
12526(-3) |
564(0) |
Fourth week |
On 31 August Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has been invited to address the United Nations Security Council on Friday. Metropolitan Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, the Archbishop of Minsk and Mahilyow and head of the Roman Catholic Church in the Belarus, was prevented from entering the country after a visit to Poland, despite being a Belarusian citizen. Metropolitan Kondrusiewicz had earlier stated that he believed the presidential election had been dishonest.
|
On 31 August Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has been invited to address the United Nations Security Council on Friday. The Metropolitan Archbishop of Minsk and Mahilyow and head of the Roman Catholic Church in Belarus, Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, was prevented from entering the country after visiting Poland, despite being a Belarusian citizen. Metropolitan Kondrusiewicz had earlier stated that he believed the presidential election had been dishonest.
|
|
| 975993671 |
2020-08-31T15:50:42Z |
227655(180) |
12543(17) |
565(1) |
Fourth week |
On 31 August Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has been invited to address the United Nations Security Council on Friday. The Metropolitan Archbishop of Minsk and Mahilyow and head of the Roman Catholic Church in Belarus, Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, was prevented from entering the country after visiting Poland, despite being a Belarusian citizen. Metropolitan Kondrusiewicz had earlier stated that he believed the presidential election had been dishonest.
|
On 31 August Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has been invited to address the United Nations Security Council on Friday. The Metropolitan Archbishop of Minsk and Mahilyow and head of the Roman Catholic Church in Belarus, Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, was prevented from entering the country after visiting Poland, despite being a Belarusian citizen. Metropolitan Kondrusiewicz had earlier stated that he believed the presidential election had been dishonest. Coordination Council presidium member Liliya Vlasova was detained by the Department of Internal Affairs on unknown charges.
|
|
| 975995604 |
2020-08-31T16:04:23Z |
227665(10) |
12543(0) |
565(0) |
|
The protests, nicknamed the Slipper Revolution and the Anti-Cockroach Revolution, were initiated by businessman and blogger Siarhei Tsikhanouski when he made a reference to the children's poem The Monster Cockroach (Russian: "Тараканище") by Korney Chukovsky.
The original story, published in 1923, concerns a dictatorial yet fragile insect and his brief, chaotic reign of terror over all the other animals. It has been compared to The Emperor's New Clothes. In his reference, Tsikhanouski compared Lukashenko to the cockroach in the story. In the original poem, the cockroach is eventually eaten by a sparrow; Tsikhanouski refers to a slipper signifying stamping on the cockroach.
Tsikhanouski traveled across Belarus and streamed interviews with random people on his YouTube channel, Strana Dlya Zhizni (Country for Life). Most of his respondents expressed disagreement with Lukashenko and the current government.
Tsikhanouski was detained in late May 2020 by Belarusian authorities, and was formally accused of being a foreign agent. In June 2020, street protests against Lukashenko took place. Several opposition candidates were registered for the 2020 Belarusian presidential election, but many of them were arrested.
Tsikhanouski's wife Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya registered as a candidate in the upcoming election after the arrest of Babaryka. Lukashenko insisted the constitution was not ready for women to become president. Unregistered candidate Valeriy Tsepkalo's wife Veronika Tsepkalo announced that she and Maria Kalesnikava, head of the Babaryka's presidential campaign staff, would join and provide support to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
On 29 July 33 alleged mercenaries from the Wagner Group, a Russian private military company, were arrested in a sanatorium near Minsk. Lukashenko accused Russia of lying about the arrested "mercenaries", saying "So far there is no open warfare, no shooting, the trigger has not yet been pulled, but an attempt to organize a massacre in the center of Minsk is already obvious." Belarusian authorities claimed that Tsikhanouski was working with Russians to destabilize Belarus. All but one of the mercenaries, who is a Belarusian national and remains in custody, were deported to Russia on 14 August despite a request from Ukraine for their extradition.
|
The protests, nicknamed the Slipper Revolution and the Anti-Cockroach Revolution, were initiated by businessman and blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky when he made a reference to the children's poem The Monster Cockroach (Russian: "Тараканище") by Korney Chukovsky.
The original story, published in 1923, concerns a dictatorial yet fragile insect and his brief, chaotic reign of terror over all the other animals. It has been compared to The Emperor's New Clothes. In his reference, Tikhanovsky compared Lukashenko to the cockroach in the story. In the original poem, the cockroach is eventually eaten by a sparrow; Tikhanovsky refers to a slipper signifying stamping on the cockroach.
Tikhanovsky traveled across Belarus and streamed interviews with random people on his YouTube channel, Strana Dlya Zhizni (Country for Life). Most of his respondents expressed disagreement with Lukashenko and the current government.
Tikhanovsky was detained in late May 2020 by Belarusian authorities, and was formally accused of being a foreign agent. In June 2020, street protests against Lukashenko took place. Several opposition candidates were registered for the 2020 Belarusian presidential election, but many of them were arrested.
Tikhanovsky's wife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya registered as a candidate in the upcoming election after the arrest of Babaryka. Lukashenko insisted the constitution was not ready for women to become president. Unregistered candidate Valeriy Tsepkalo's wife Veronika Tsepkalo announced that she and Maria Kalesnikava, head of the Babaryka's presidential campaign staff, would join and provide support to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
On 29 July 33 alleged mercenaries from the Wagner Group, a Russian private military company, were arrested in a sanatorium near Minsk. Lukashenko accused Russia of lying about the arrested "mercenaries", saying "So far there is no open warfare, no shooting, the trigger has not yet been pulled, but an attempt to organize a massacre in the center of Minsk is already obvious." Belarusian authorities claimed that Tikhanovsky was working with Russians to destabilize Belarus. All but one of the mercenaries, who is a Belarusian national and remains in custody, were deported to Russia on 14 August despite a request from Ukraine for their extradition.
|
|
| 975996378 |
2020-08-31T16:10:05Z |
227744(79) |
12548(5) |
565(0) |
Before the election |
The protests, nicknamed the Slipper Revolution and the Anti-Cockroach Revolution, were initiated by businessman and blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky when he made a reference to the children's poem The Monster Cockroach (Russian: "Тараканище") by Korney Chukovsky.
Tikhanovsky traveled across Belarus and streamed interviews with random people on his YouTube channel, Strana Dlya Zhizni (Country for Life). Most of his respondents expressed disagreement with Lukashenko and the current government.
|
The protests, nicknamed the Slipper Revolution and the Anti-Cockroach Revolution, were initiated by businessman and blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky when he made a reference to the children's poem The Monster Cockroach (Russian: Тараканище, romanized: Tarakanische) by Korney Chukovsky.
Tikhanovsky traveled across Belarus and streamed interviews with random people on his YouTube channel, (Russian: Страна для жизни, romanized: Strana dlya zhizni, lit. 'Country for life'). Most of his respondents expressed disagreement with Lukashenko and the current government.
|
|
| 975997074 |
2020-08-31T16:15:25Z |
227745(1) |
12548(0) |
565(0) |
Before the election |
The protests, nicknamed the Slipper Revolution and the Anti-Cockroach Revolution, were initiated by businessman and blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky when he made a reference to the children's poem The Monster Cockroach (Russian: Тараканище, romanized: Tarakanische) by Korney Chukovsky.
|
The protests, nicknamed the Slipper Revolution and the Anti-Cockroach Revolution, were initiated by businessman and blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky when he made a reference to the children's poem The Monster Cockroach (Russian: Тараканище, romanized: Tarakanischye) by Korney Chukovsky.
|
|
| 976001465 |
2020-08-31T16:45:33Z |
227776(31) |
12548(0) |
565(0) |
Fourth week |
|
|
|
| 976003340 |
2020-08-31T16:58:17Z |
227759(-17) |
12548(0) |
565(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976006545 |
2020-08-31T17:19:56Z |
228060(301) |
12586(38) |
566(1) |
Fourth week |
On 31 August Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has been invited to address the United Nations Security Council on Friday. The Metropolitan Archbishop of Minsk and Mahilyow and head of the Roman Catholic Church in Belarus, Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, was prevented from entering the country after visiting Poland, despite being a Belarusian citizen. Metropolitan Kondrusiewicz had earlier stated that he believed the presidential election had been dishonest. Coordination Council presidium member Liliya Vlasova was detained by the Department of Internal Affairs on unknown charges.
|
On 31 August Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has been invited to address the United Nations Security Council on Friday. The Metropolitan Archbishop of Minsk and Mahilyow and head of the Roman Catholic Church in Belarus, Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, was prevented from entering the country after visiting Poland, despite being a Belarusian citizen. Metropolitan Kondrusiewicz had earlier stated that he believed the presidential election had been dishonest. Coordination Council presidium member Liliya Vlasova was detained by the Department of Internal Affairs on unknown charges. The Belarusian ambassador for Spain was removed from his post after saying that the votes from the presidential election should be recounted and that "open court hearings" should proceed against police officers accused of excessive force and torture.
|
|
| 976027353 |
2020-08-31T19:42:53Z |
228059(-1) |
12586(0) |
566(0) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in voblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of "tanks" moving through the streets of Minsk (which later turned out to be several BTR-80 military vehicles). Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had appeared at the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00 most of the crowd had moved back towards the city center, partly due to a hailstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to remain at State Flag Square, outside the Castle shopping center and in the streets around the city center where people continued to chant anti-Lukashenko slogans. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released a photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun (presumably from his "standoff" a week earlier). By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
|
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in oblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of "tanks" moving through the streets of Minsk (which later turned out to be several BTR-80 military vehicles). Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had appeared at the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00 most of the crowd had moved back towards the city center, partly due to a hailstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to remain at State Flag Square, outside the Castle shopping center and in the streets around the city center where people continued to chant anti-Lukashenko slogans. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released a photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun (presumably from his "standoff" a week earlier). By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
|
|
| 976031602 |
2020-08-31T20:10:56Z |
228598(539) |
12615(29) |
567(1) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in oblast capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of "tanks" moving through the streets of Minsk (which later turned out to be several BTR-80 military vehicles). Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had appeared at the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00 most of the crowd had moved back towards the city center, partly due to a hailstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to remain at State Flag Square, outside the Castle shopping center and in the streets around the city center where people continued to chant anti-Lukashenko slogans. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released a photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun (presumably from his "standoff" a week earlier). By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
On 31 August Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has been invited to address the United Nations Security Council on Friday. The Metropolitan Archbishop of Minsk and Mahilyow and head of the Roman Catholic Church in Belarus, Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, was prevented from entering the country after visiting Poland, despite being a Belarusian citizen. Metropolitan Kondrusiewicz had earlier stated that he believed the presidential election had been dishonest. Coordination Council presidium member Liliya Vlasova was detained by the Department of Internal Affairs on unknown charges. The Belarusian ambassador for Spain was removed from his post after saying that the votes from the presidential election should be recounted and that "open court hearings" should proceed against police officers accused of excessive force and torture.
|
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in regional capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of "tanks" moving through the streets of Minsk (which later turned out to be several BTR-80 military vehicles). Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had appeared at the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00 most of the crowd had moved back towards the city center, partly due to a hailstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to remain at State Flag Square, outside the Castle shopping center and in the streets around the city center where people continued to chant anti-Lukashenko slogans. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released a photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun (presumably from his "standoff" a week earlier). By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
On 31 August Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has been invited to address the United Nations Security Council on Friday. The Metropolitan Archbishop of Minsk and Mahilyow and head of the Roman Catholic Church in Belarus, Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, was prevented from entering the country after visiting Poland, despite being a Belarusian citizen. Metropolitan Kondrusiewicz had earlier stated that he believed the presidential election had been dishonest. Coordination Council presidium member Liliya Vlasova was detained by the Department of Internal Affairs on unknown charges. The Belarusian ambassador for Spain was removed from his post after saying that the votes from the presidential election should be recounted and that "open court hearings" should proceed against police officers accused of excessive force and torture. A man on the streets of Minsk was grabbed by several other men in civilian clothes and dragged into a van after he shouted at a riot officer nearby.
|
|
| 976033023 |
2020-08-31T20:20:35Z |
228606(8) |
12615(0) |
567(0) |
Election day |
|
|
|
| 976033426 |
2020-08-31T20:23:09Z |
228607(1) |
12615(0) |
567(0) |
Fourth week |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in regional capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of "tanks" moving through the streets of Minsk (which later turned out to be several BTR-80 military vehicles). Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had appeared at the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00 most of the crowd had moved back towards the city center, partly due to a hailstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to remain at State Flag Square, outside the Castle shopping center and in the streets around the city center where people continued to chant anti-Lukashenko slogans. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released a photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun (presumably from his "standoff" a week earlier). By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
|
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in regional capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of "tanks" moving through the streets of Minsk (which later turned out to be several BTR-80 military vehicles). Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had appeared at the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00 most of the crowd had moved back towards the city center, partly due to a hailstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to remain at State Flag Square, outside the Castle shopping center and in the streets around the city center where people continued to chant anti-Lukashenko slogans. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released a photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun (presumably from his "standoff" a week earlier). By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk, Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
|
|
| 976034763 |
2020-08-31T20:31:23Z |
228674(67) |
12615(0) |
567(0) |
Post-election |
|
|
|
| 976060564 |
2020-08-31T23:53:34Z |
228689(15) |
12617(2) |
567(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
On 31 August Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has been invited to address the United Nations Security Council on Friday. The Metropolitan Archbishop of Minsk and Mahilyow and head of the Roman Catholic Church in Belarus, Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, was prevented from entering the country after visiting Poland, despite being a Belarusian citizen. Metropolitan Kondrusiewicz had earlier stated that he believed the presidential election had been dishonest. Coordination Council presidium member Liliya Vlasova was detained by the Department of Internal Affairs on unknown charges. The Belarusian ambassador for Spain was removed from his post after saying that the votes from the presidential election should be recounted and that "open court hearings" should proceed against police officers accused of excessive force and torture. A man on the streets of Minsk was grabbed by several other men in civilian clothes and dragged into a van after he shouted at a riot officer nearby.
|
On 31 August Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has been invited to address the United Nations Security Council on Friday. The Metropolitan Archbishop of Minsk and Mahilyow and head of the Roman Catholic Church in Belarus, Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, was prevented from entering the country after visiting Poland, despite being a Belarusian citizen. Metropolitan Kondrusiewicz had earlier stated that he believed the presidential election had been dishonest. Coordination Council presidium member Liliya Vlasova was detained by the Department of Internal Affairs on unknown charges. The Belarusian ambassador for Spain was removed from his post after saying that the votes from the presidential election should be recounted and that "open court hearings" should proceed against police officers accused of excessive force and torture. A man on the streets of Minsk was grabbed by several other men in civilian clothes and dragged into a van after he shouted insults at a riot police officer nearby.
|
|
| 976060829 |
2020-08-31T23:56:02Z |
228372(-317) |
12617(0) |
566(-1) |
|
|
|
|
| 976085241 |
2020-09-01T03:34:08Z |
228341(-31) |
12617(0) |
566(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
|
|
|
| 976098330 |
2020-09-01T05:50:50Z |
228340(-1) |
12617(0) |
566(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976098472 |
2020-09-01T05:52:33Z |
228334(-6) |
12617(0) |
565(-1) |
|
|
|
|
| 976141821 |
2020-09-01T11:50:30Z |
228722(388) |
12633(16) |
566(1) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
|
At the start of September Lukashenko plans a constitutional referendum in a way to please the protest.
|
|
| 976150260 |
2020-09-01T12:51:26Z |
228334(-388) |
12617(-16) |
565(-1) |
|
At the start of September Lukashenko plans a constitutional referendum in a way to please the protest.
|
|
|
| 976150834 |
2020-09-01T12:55:57Z |
228328(-6) |
12614(-3) |
565(0) |
|
On 31 August Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has been invited to address the United Nations Security Council on Friday. The Metropolitan Archbishop of Minsk and Mahilyow and head of the Roman Catholic Church in Belarus, Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, was prevented from entering the country after visiting Poland, despite being a Belarusian citizen. Metropolitan Kondrusiewicz had earlier stated that he believed the presidential election had been dishonest. Coordination Council presidium member Liliya Vlasova was detained by the Department of Internal Affairs on unknown charges. The Belarusian ambassador for Spain was removed from his post after saying that the votes from the presidential election should be recounted and that "open court hearings" should proceed against police officers accused of excessive force and torture. A man on the streets of Minsk was grabbed by several other men in civilian clothes and dragged into a van after he shouted insults at a riot police officer nearby.
|
On 31 August, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya was invited to address the United Nations Security Council. The Metropolitan Archbishop of Minsk and Mahilyow and head of the Roman Catholic Church in Belarus, Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, was prevented from entering the country after visiting Poland, despite being a Belarusian citizen. Metropolitan Kondrusiewicz had earlier stated that he believed the presidential election had been dishonest. Coordination Council presidium member Liliya Vlasova was detained by the Department of Internal Affairs on unknown charges. The Belarusian ambassador for Spain was removed from his post after saying that the votes from the presidential election should be recounted and that "open court hearings" should proceed against police officers accused of excessive force and torture. A man on the streets of Minsk was grabbed by several other men in civilian clothes and dragged into a van after he shouted insults at a riot police officer nearby.
|
|
| 976151743 |
2020-09-01T13:03:21Z |
228731(403) |
12616(2) |
566(1) |
Third week (23—29 August) |
Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding a machine gun and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard saying "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15-year-old son, Nikolai, was seen with him dressed in military uniform and holding a gun. In a third video, he is seen surveying protesters from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to the protesters. In a fourth video, Lukashenko was seen removing the former flag of Belarus from a flower bed, waving at security personnel whilst telling them they are "handsome" and in reference to protesters, saying "we will deal with them". Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time. The presidential helicopter was seen leaving the palace at about 20:47 and it was unknown if Lukashenko was on board or not. The official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs claimed that 30,000 people attended pro-government demonstrations in the past day, against 6,100 attending anti-government demonstrations.
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Later in the afternoon, the rally moved onward toward State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where protesters faced off against security forces who had set up a road block. It has been reported that Alexander Lukashenko is in residence at the Independence Palace. There were also reports that a presidential helicopter was seen heading towards the palace and that it had landed in the grounds at 19:05. Footage later emerged showing Lukashenko walking near the helicopter, wearing a bullet proof vest and holding an AKS-74U without a magazine and then walking around the palace grounds. In the latter footage, Lukashenko was heard saying "Leave me alone," and "There is no one left there, right?". His 15-year-old son, Nikolai, was seen with him dressed in military uniform and holding a gun. In a third video, he is seen surveying protesters from a helicopter and is heard saying "How the rats ran away" in an apparent reference to the protesters. In a fourth video, Lukashenko was seen removing the former flag of Belarus from a flower bed, waving at security personnel whilst telling them they are "handsome" and in reference to protesters, saying "we will deal with them". Large groups of security personnel were later seen heading towards the centre of Minsk and military helicopters were seen flying over parts of the city. Authorities asked mobile operators to restrict 3G access to parts of Minsk at around 18:30 local time. The presidential helicopter was seen leaving the palace at about 20:47 and it was unknown if Lukashenko was on board or not. The official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs claimed that 30,000 people attended pro-government demonstrations in the past day, against 6,100 attending anti-government demonstrations.
|
|
| 976162712 |
2020-09-01T14:28:36Z |
229340(609) |
12653(37) |
567(1) |
Human rights issues |
In a 21 August statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, it was noted that, despite the majority of the detainees being released, serious concerns remained about the eight missing protesters and the sixty accused of serious criminal acts. The statement underlined the lack of information about the detainees' status and called for the government to stop unlawfully detaining people. The Commissioner also confirmed that there had been four deaths and were greatly concerned about allegations of large-scale torture and ill-treatment of people, including journalists and children.
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In a 21 August statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, it was noted that, despite the majority of the detainees being released, serious concerns remained about the eight missing protesters and the sixty accused of serious criminal acts. The statement underlined the lack of information about the detainees' status and called for the government to stop unlawfully detaining people. The Commissioner also confirmed that there had been four deaths and were greatly concerned about allegations of large-scale torture and ill-treatment of people, including journalists and children.
On 1 September, in a statement from the UN human rights experts, more than 450 documented cases of torture and ill-treatment of detainees were mentioned, including sexual abuse and rape with rubber batons of women and children.
|
|
| 976163394 |
2020-09-01T14:33:49Z |
229338(-2) |
12653(0) |
567(0) |
Human rights issues |
On 1 September, in a statement from the UN human rights experts, more than 450 documented cases of torture and ill-treatment of detainees were mentioned, including sexual abuse and rape with rubber batons of women and children.
|
On 1 September, in a statement by the UN human rights experts, more than 450 documented cases of torture and ill-treatment of detainees were mentioned, including sexual abuse and rape with rubber batons of women and children.
|
|
| 976163767 |
2020-09-01T14:36:44Z |
229336(-2) |
12654(1) |
567(0) |
Second week (16—22 August) |
17 August 2020. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a video in which she stated that she is ready to lead a transitional government and organise a new, free and fair presidential election. Lukashenko conceded that an early presidential election could be held if a new constitution is adopted, after it has been drafted and a referendum is held and passed. The Prime Minister of Belarus, Roman Golovchenko, and cabinet resigned on 17 August 2020 in accordance with the constitution following an election.
|
On 17 August 2020, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya released a video in which she stated that she was ready to lead a transitional government and organize a new, free and fair presidential election. Lukashenko conceded that an early presidential election could be held if a new constitution is adopted, after it has been drafted and a referendum is held and passed. The Prime Minister of Belarus, Roman Golovchenko, and cabinet resigned on 17 August 2020 in accordance with the constitution following an election.
|
|
| 976188811 |
2020-09-01T17:17:55Z |
229465(129) |
12654(0) |
567(0) |
External links |
|
|
|
| 976192875 |
2020-09-01T17:41:38Z |
229336(-129) |
12654(0) |
567(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976196428 |
2020-09-01T18:03:49Z |
229335(-1) |
12654(0) |
567(0) |
Before the election |
Tikhanovsky traveled across Belarus and streamed interviews with random people on his YouTube channel, (Russian: Страна для жизни, romanized: Strana dlya zhizni, lit. 'Country for life'). Most of his respondents expressed disagreement with Lukashenko and the current government.
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Tikhanovsky traveled across Belarus and streamed interviews with random people on his YouTube channel Country for life (Russian: Страна для жизни, romanized: Strana dlya zhizni). Most of his respondents expressed disagreement with Lukashenko and the current government.
|
|
| 976197326 |
2020-09-01T18:09:31Z |
229335(0) |
12654(0) |
567(0) |
Before the election |
The protests, nicknamed the Slipper Revolution and the Anti-Cockroach Revolution, were initiated by businessman and blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky when he made a reference to the children's poem The Monster Cockroach (Russian: Тараканище, romanized: Tarakanischye) by Korney Chukovsky.
|
The protests, nicknamed the Slipper Revolution and the Anti-Cockroach Revolution, were initiated by businessman and blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky when he made a reference to the children's poem The Monster Cockroach (Russian: Тараканище, romanized: Tarakanishche) by Korney Chukovsky.
|
|
| 976236992 |
2020-09-01T22:30:18Z |
210271(-19064) |
12764(110) |
523(-44) |
|
|
}}
| howmany2 = 16 August:
Total:
| howmany3 =
| casualties1 = 200+ injured 4+ dead 7,000+ arrested50 missing
| casualties2 = 103 injured
| casualties3 = At least a few journalists wounded
| fatalities =
| injuries =
| arrests =
| detentions =
| charged =
| fined = 107
| casualties_label =
| notes =
| sidebox =
| concessions =
}}
|
|
| 976237134 |
2020-09-01T22:31:24Z |
229335(19064) |
12654(-110) |
567(44) |
|
}}
| howmany2 = 16 August:
Total:
| howmany3 =
| casualties1 = 200+ injured 4+ dead 7,000+ arrested50 missing
| casualties2 = 103 injured
| casualties3 = At least a few journalists wounded
| fatalities =
| injuries =
| arrests =
| detentions =
| charged =
| fined = 107
| casualties_label =
| notes =
| sidebox =
| concessions =
}}
|
|
|
| 976240363 |
2020-09-01T22:54:40Z |
229332(-3) |
12654(0) |
567(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976240384 |
2020-09-01T22:54:50Z |
229335(3) |
12654(0) |
567(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976259683 |
2020-09-02T01:15:45Z |
228989(-346) |
12654(0) |
567(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976274764 |
2020-09-02T03:08:16Z |
236083(7094) |
13084(430) |
578(11) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
|
In the early morning of 1 September (Knowledge Day in Belarus and Russia, when most scholar institution open) a group of young individuals blocked several streets in downtown Minsk in view of more protests. Later, over a thousand students from numerous institutions started gathering on major streets, rallying towards the Independence Palace. Upon being refused entry by the military, students turned around and marched toward the Independence Square as well as other student rallies in the region. A couple of Euroradio journalists were detained on the spot. At least 20 students were detained by early afternoon in Minsk, on charged of "organizing unsactioned protests and rallies". Only a few were released hours later, with most students spending their time inside "avtozak" detention vans. Around 5:00 PM in Minsk, students have occupied the Gorky square, shouting anti-Lukashenko slogans and waving posters made of white-red-white colors. At that time, at least 40 individuals were counted as detentioned by local police. Vasily Senko, the University rector, has come out toward the protesting students and urged them to disperse. Students followed suit, only to find out police forces were filming them, after which they have returned to their positions. As result, about 10 journalists from different media sources were also detained on made-up charges of "instigating further conflict among the masses".. In Mogilev and Kalinkovychy, protest instigators were detained on the spot by riot police.. In Vitebsk, about 60 students who were marching on city streets were circled by police, young women were allowed to leave. Young men were beaten and those showing aggression were cuffed.
Alexander Lukashenko met a crown of supporters in Baranovychy. He first explained that the catholic bishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was refused re-entry into Belarus because "he left the country for Warsaw days earlier, only to receive instructions there, and come back" which has therefore violated the Belarusian integrity policy. Then, he reassured the people that Belarus will hinder extranational sactions from Baltic countries with yet to find solution. Brest and Grodno will most likely see their borders put on curfew for being most likeable targets for external compromise. Finally, Lukashenko raised the question of a referendum on jointing the Russian Federation as "a Union State", seemingly culminating the people's demand of constitutional reforms. He said he was open to negotiation only with the current government's representatives, not the "self-proclaimed" Coordination Council.
The UN have released a human rights report indicating that at least 450 individual in Belarus faced cruelty and torture without a due cause. Moreover, six people are considered missing 'at large' after a mouth when their whereabouts still remain unknown.
|
|
| 976275131 |
2020-09-02T03:11:42Z |
236115(32) |
13084(0) |
578(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976275388 |
2020-09-02T03:14:23Z |
236115(0) |
13083(-1) |
578(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
In the early morning of 1 September (Knowledge Day in Belarus and Russia, when most scholar institution open) a group of young individuals blocked several streets in downtown Minsk in view of more protests. Later, over a thousand students from numerous institutions started gathering on major streets, rallying towards the Independence Palace. Upon being refused entry by the military, students turned around and marched toward the Independence Square as well as other student rallies in the region. A couple of Euroradio journalists were detained on the spot. At least 20 students were detained by early afternoon in Minsk, on charged of "organizing unsactioned protests and rallies". Only a few were released hours later, with most students spending their time inside "avtozak" detention vans. Around 5:00 PM in Minsk, students have occupied the Gorky square, shouting anti-Lukashenko slogans and waving posters made of white-red-white colors. At that time, at least 40 individuals were counted as detentioned by local police. Vasily Senko, the University rector, has come out toward the protesting students and urged them to disperse. Students followed suit, only to find out police forces were filming them, after which they have returned to their positions. As result, about 10 journalists from different media sources were also detained on made-up charges of "instigating further conflict among the masses".. In Mogilev and Kalinkovychy, protest instigators were detained on the spot by riot police.. In Vitebsk, about 60 students who were marching on city streets were circled by police, young women were allowed to leave. Young men were beaten and those showing aggression were cuffed.
Alexander Lukashenko met a crown of supporters in Baranovychy. He first explained that the catholic bishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was refused re-entry into Belarus because "he left the country for Warsaw days earlier, only to receive instructions there, and come back" which has therefore violated the Belarusian integrity policy. Then, he reassured the people that Belarus will hinder extranational sactions from Baltic countries with yet to find solution. Brest and Grodno will most likely see their borders put on curfew for being most likeable targets for external compromise. Finally, Lukashenko raised the question of a referendum on jointing the Russian Federation as "a Union State", seemingly culminating the people's demand of constitutional reforms. He said he was open to negotiation only with the current government's representatives, not the "self-proclaimed" Coordination Council.
The UN have released a human rights report indicating that at least 450 individual in Belarus faced cruelty and torture without a due cause. Moreover, six people are considered missing 'at large' after a mouth when their whereabouts still remain unknown.
|
In the early morning of 1 September (Knowledge Day in Belarus and Russia, when most scholar institution open) a group of young individuals blocked several streets in downtown Minsk in view of more protests. Later, over a thousand students from numerous institutions started gathering on major streets, rallying towards the Independence Palace. Upon being refused entry by the military, students turned around and marched toward the Independence Square as well as other student rallies in the region. A couple of Euroradio journalists were detained on the spot. At least 20 students were detained by early afternoon in Minsk, on charged of "organizing unsactioned protests and rallies". Only a few were released hours later, with most students spending their time inside "avtozak" detention vans. Around 5:00 PM in Minsk, students have occupied the Gorky square, shouting anti-Lukashenko slogans and waving posters made of white-red-white colors. At that time, at least 40 individuals were counted as detentioned by local police. Vasily Senko, the University rector, has come out toward the protesting students and urged them to disperse. Students followed suit, only to find out police forces were filming them, after which they have returned to their positions. As result, about 10 journalists from different media sources were also detained on made-up charges of "instigating further conflict among the masses". In Mogilev and Kalinkovychy, protest instigators were detained on the spot by riot police.. In Vitebsk, about 60 students who were marching on city streets were circled by police, young women were allowed to leave. Young men were beaten and those showing aggression were cuffed.
Alexander Lukashenko met a crowd of supporters in Baranovychy. He first explained that the catholic bishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was refused re-entry into Belarus because "he left the country for Warsaw days earlier, only to receive instructions there, and come back" having therefore violated the Belarusian integrity policy. Then, he reassured the people that Belarus will hinder extranational sactions from Baltic countries with yet to find solution. Brest and Grodno will most likely see their borders put on curfew for being most likeable targets for external compromise. Finally, Lukashenko raised the question of a referendum on jointing the Russian Federation as "a Union State", seemingly culminating the people's demand of constitutional reforms. He said he was open to negotiation only with the current government's representatives, not the "self-proclaimed" Coordination Council.
The UN have released a human rights report indicating that at least 450 individual in Belarus faced cruelty and torture without a due cause. Moreover, six people are considered missing 'at large' after a month when their whereabouts still remain unknown.
|
|
| 976275659 |
2020-09-02T03:16:39Z |
236123(8) |
13083(0) |
578(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
In the early morning of 1 September (Knowledge Day in Belarus and Russia, when most scholar institution open) a group of young individuals blocked several streets in downtown Minsk in view of more protests. Later, over a thousand students from numerous institutions started gathering on major streets, rallying towards the Independence Palace. Upon being refused entry by the military, students turned around and marched toward the Independence Square as well as other student rallies in the region. A couple of Euroradio journalists were detained on the spot. At least 20 students were detained by early afternoon in Minsk, on charged of "organizing unsactioned protests and rallies". Only a few were released hours later, with most students spending their time inside "avtozak" detention vans. Around 5:00 PM in Minsk, students have occupied the Gorky square, shouting anti-Lukashenko slogans and waving posters made of white-red-white colors. At that time, at least 40 individuals were counted as detentioned by local police. Vasily Senko, the University rector, has come out toward the protesting students and urged them to disperse. Students followed suit, only to find out police forces were filming them, after which they have returned to their positions. As result, about 10 journalists from different media sources were also detained on made-up charges of "instigating further conflict among the masses". In Mogilev and Kalinkovychy, protest instigators were detained on the spot by riot police.. In Vitebsk, about 60 students who were marching on city streets were circled by police, young women were allowed to leave. Young men were beaten and those showing aggression were cuffed.
Alexander Lukashenko met a crowd of supporters in Baranovychy. He first explained that the catholic bishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was refused re-entry into Belarus because "he left the country for Warsaw days earlier, only to receive instructions there, and come back" having therefore violated the Belarusian integrity policy. Then, he reassured the people that Belarus will hinder extranational sactions from Baltic countries with yet to find solution. Brest and Grodno will most likely see their borders put on curfew for being most likeable targets for external compromise. Finally, Lukashenko raised the question of a referendum on jointing the Russian Federation as "a Union State", seemingly culminating the people's demand of constitutional reforms. He said he was open to negotiation only with the current government's representatives, not the "self-proclaimed" Coordination Council.
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In the early morning of 1 September (Knowledge Day in Belarus and Russia, when most scholar institution open) a group of young individuals blocked several streets in downtown Minsk in view of more protests. Later, over a thousand students from numerous institutions started gathering on major streets, rallying towards the Independence Palace. Upon being refused entry by the military, students turned around and marched toward the Independence Square as well as other student rallies in the region. A couple of Euroradio journalists were detained on the spot. At least 20 students were detained by early afternoon in Minsk, on charged of "organizing unsactioned protests and rallies". Only a few were released hours later, with most students spending their time inside "avtozak" detention vans. Around 5:00 PM in Minsk, students have occupied the Gorky square, shouting anti-Lukashenko slogans and waving posters made of white-red-white colors. At that time, at least 40 individuals were counted as detentioned by local police. Vasily Senko, the University rector, has come out toward the protesting students and urged them to disperse. Students followed suit, only to find out police forces were filming them, after which they have returned to their positions. As result, about 10 journalists from different media sources were also detained on made-up charges of "instigating further conflict among the masses". In Mogilev and Kalinkavichy, protest instigators were detained on the spot by riot police.. In Vitebsk, about 60 students who were marching on city streets were circled by police, young women were allowed to leave. Young men were beaten and those showing aggression were cuffed.
Alexander Lukashenko met a crowd of supporters in Baranavichy. He first explained that the catholic bishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was refused re-entry into Belarus because "he left the country for Warsaw days earlier, only to receive instructions there, and come back" having therefore violated the Belarusian integrity policy. Then, he reassured the people that Belarus will hinder extranational sactions from Baltic countries with yet to find solution. Brest and Grodno will most likely see their borders put on curfew for being most likeable targets for external compromise. Finally, Lukashenko raised the question of a referendum on jointing the Russian Federation as "a Union State", seemingly culminating the people's demand of constitutional reforms. He said he was open to negotiation only with the current government's representatives, not the "self-proclaimed" Coordination Council.
|
|
| 976275938 |
2020-09-02T03:18:56Z |
236124(1) |
13083(0) |
578(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
In the early morning of 1 September (Knowledge Day in Belarus and Russia, when most scholar institution open) a group of young individuals blocked several streets in downtown Minsk in view of more protests. Later, over a thousand students from numerous institutions started gathering on major streets, rallying towards the Independence Palace. Upon being refused entry by the military, students turned around and marched toward the Independence Square as well as other student rallies in the region. A couple of Euroradio journalists were detained on the spot. At least 20 students were detained by early afternoon in Minsk, on charged of "organizing unsactioned protests and rallies". Only a few were released hours later, with most students spending their time inside "avtozak" detention vans. Around 5:00 PM in Minsk, students have occupied the Gorky square, shouting anti-Lukashenko slogans and waving posters made of white-red-white colors. At that time, at least 40 individuals were counted as detentioned by local police. Vasily Senko, the University rector, has come out toward the protesting students and urged them to disperse. Students followed suit, only to find out police forces were filming them, after which they have returned to their positions. As result, about 10 journalists from different media sources were also detained on made-up charges of "instigating further conflict among the masses". In Mogilev and Kalinkavichy, protest instigators were detained on the spot by riot police.. In Vitebsk, about 60 students who were marching on city streets were circled by police, young women were allowed to leave. Young men were beaten and those showing aggression were cuffed.
|
In the early morning of 1 September (Knowledge Day in Belarus and Russia, when most scholar institutions open) a group of young individuals blocked several streets in downtown Minsk in view of more protests. Later, over a thousand students from numerous institutions started gathering on major streets, rallying towards the Independence Palace. Upon being refused entry by the military, students turned around and marched toward the Independence Square as well as other student rallies in the region. A couple of Euroradio journalists were detained on the spot. At least 20 students were detained by early afternoon in Minsk, on charged of "organizing unsactioned protests and rallies". Only a few were released hours later, with most students spending their time inside "avtozak" detention vans. Around 5:00 PM in Minsk, students have occupied the Gorky square, shouting anti-Lukashenko slogans and waving posters made of white-red-white colors. At that time, at least 40 individuals were counted as detentioned by local police. Vasily Senko, the University rector, has come out toward the protesting students and urged them to disperse. Students followed suit, only to find out police forces were filming them, after which they have returned to their positions. As result, about 10 journalists from different media sources were also detained on made-up charges of "instigating further conflict among the masses". In Mogilev and Kalinkavichy, protest instigators were detained on the spot by riot police.. In Vitebsk, about 60 students who were marching on city streets were circled by police, young women were allowed to leave. Young men were beaten and those showing aggression were cuffed.
|
|
| 976276252 |
2020-09-02T03:21:49Z |
236123(-1) |
13083(0) |
578(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
In the early morning of 1 September (Knowledge Day in Belarus and Russia, when most scholar institutions open) a group of young individuals blocked several streets in downtown Minsk in view of more protests. Later, over a thousand students from numerous institutions started gathering on major streets, rallying towards the Independence Palace. Upon being refused entry by the military, students turned around and marched toward the Independence Square as well as other student rallies in the region. A couple of Euroradio journalists were detained on the spot. At least 20 students were detained by early afternoon in Minsk, on charged of "organizing unsactioned protests and rallies". Only a few were released hours later, with most students spending their time inside "avtozak" detention vans. Around 5:00 PM in Minsk, students have occupied the Gorky square, shouting anti-Lukashenko slogans and waving posters made of white-red-white colors. At that time, at least 40 individuals were counted as detentioned by local police. Vasily Senko, the University rector, has come out toward the protesting students and urged them to disperse. Students followed suit, only to find out police forces were filming them, after which they have returned to their positions. As result, about 10 journalists from different media sources were also detained on made-up charges of "instigating further conflict among the masses". In Mogilev and Kalinkavichy, protest instigators were detained on the spot by riot police.. In Vitebsk, about 60 students who were marching on city streets were circled by police, young women were allowed to leave. Young men were beaten and those showing aggression were cuffed.
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In the early morning of 1 September (Knowledge Day in Belarus and Russia, when most scholar institutions open) a group of young individuals blocked several streets in downtown Minsk in view of more protests. Later, over a thousand students from numerous institutions started gathering on major streets, rallying towards the Independence Palace. Upon being refused entry by the military, students turned around and marched toward the Independence Square as well as other student rallies in the region. A couple of Euroradio journalists were detained on the spot. At least 20 students were detained by early afternoon in Minsk, on charged of "organizing unsactioned protests and rallies". Only a few were released hours later, with most students spending their time inside "avtozak" detention vans. Around 5:00 PM in Minsk, students have occupied the Gorky square, shouting anti-Lukashenko slogans and waving posters made of white-red-white colors. At that time, at least 40 individuals were counted as detentioned by local police. Vasily Senko, the University rector, has come out toward the protesting students and urged them to disperse. Students followed suit, only to find out police forces were filming them, after which they have returned to their positions. As result, about 10 journalists from different media sources were also detained on made-up charges of "instigating further conflict among the masses". In Mogilev and Kalinkavichy, protest instigators were detained on the spot by riot police. In Vitebsk, about 60 students who were marching on city streets were circled by police, young women were allowed to leave. Young men were beaten and those showing aggression were cuffed.
|
|
| 976276557 |
2020-09-02T03:24:37Z |
236122(-1) |
13083(0) |
578(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
Alexander Lukashenko met a crowd of supporters in Baranavichy. He first explained that the catholic bishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was refused re-entry into Belarus because "he left the country for Warsaw days earlier, only to receive instructions there, and come back" having therefore violated the Belarusian integrity policy. Then, he reassured the people that Belarus will hinder extranational sactions from Baltic countries with yet to find solution. Brest and Grodno will most likely see their borders put on curfew for being most likeable targets for external compromise. Finally, Lukashenko raised the question of a referendum on jointing the Russian Federation as "a Union State", seemingly culminating the people's demand of constitutional reforms. He said he was open to negotiation only with the current government's representatives, not the "self-proclaimed" Coordination Council.
|
Alexander Lukashenko met a crowd of supporters in Baranavichy. He first explained that the catholic bishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was refused re-entry into Belarus because "he left the country for Warsaw days earlier, only to receive instructions there, and come back" having therefore violated the Belarusian integrity policy. Then, he reassured the people that Belarus will hinder extranational sactions from Baltic countries with yet to find solution. Brest and Grodno will most likely see their borders put on curfew for being most likeable targets for external compromise. Finally, Lukashenko raised the question of a referendum on joining the Russian Federation as "a Union State", seemingly culminating the people's demand of constitutional reforms. He said he was open to negotiation only with the current government's representatives, not the "self-proclaimed" Coordination Council.
|
|
| 976276745 |
2020-09-02T03:26:26Z |
236123(1) |
13083(0) |
578(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
The UN have released a human rights report indicating that at least 450 individual in Belarus faced cruelty and torture without a due cause. Moreover, six people are considered missing 'at large' after a month when their whereabouts still remain unknown.
|
The UN have released a human rights report indicating that at least 450 individuals in Belarus faced cruelty and torture without a due cause. Moreover, six people are considered missing 'at large' after a month when their whereabouts still remain unknown.
|
|
| 976294565 |
2020-09-02T06:22:24Z |
236123(0) |
13083(0) |
578(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976296675 |
2020-09-02T06:38:53Z |
236451(328) |
13083(0) |
579(1) |
|
|
|
|
| 976300193 |
2020-09-02T07:03:59Z |
236432(-19) |
13079(-4) |
579(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
Alexander Lukashenko met a crowd of supporters in Baranavichy. He first explained that the catholic bishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was refused re-entry into Belarus because "he left the country for Warsaw days earlier, only to receive instructions there, and come back" having therefore violated the Belarusian integrity policy. Then, he reassured the people that Belarus will hinder extranational sactions from Baltic countries with yet to find solution. Brest and Grodno will most likely see their borders put on curfew for being most likeable targets for external compromise. Finally, Lukashenko raised the question of a referendum on joining the Russian Federation as "a Union State", seemingly culminating the people's demand of constitutional reforms. He said he was open to negotiation only with the current government's representatives, not the "self-proclaimed" Coordination Council.
|
Alexander Lukashenko met a crowd of supporters in Baranavichy. He first explained that the catholic bishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was refused re-entry into Belarus because "he left the country for Warsaw days earlier, only to receive instructions there, and come back" having therefore violated the Belarusian integrity policy. Then, he reassured the people that Belarus will hinder extranational sactions from Baltic countries with yet to find solution. Brest and Grodno will most likely see their borders put on curfew for being most likeable targets for external compromise. Finally, Lukashenko raised the question of a referendum on joining the Russian Federation, seemingly culminating the people's demand of constitutional reforms. He said he was open to negotiation only with the current government's representatives, not the "self-proclaimed" Coordination Council.
|
|
| 976301280 |
2020-09-02T07:12:58Z |
236418(-14) |
13077(-2) |
579(0) |
|
In the early morning of 1 September (Knowledge Day in Belarus and Russia, when most scholar institutions open) a group of young individuals blocked several streets in downtown Minsk in view of more protests. Later, over a thousand students from numerous institutions started gathering on major streets, rallying towards the Independence Palace. Upon being refused entry by the military, students turned around and marched toward the Independence Square as well as other student rallies in the region. A couple of Euroradio journalists were detained on the spot. At least 20 students were detained by early afternoon in Minsk, on charged of "organizing unsactioned protests and rallies". Only a few were released hours later, with most students spending their time inside "avtozak" detention vans. Around 5:00 PM in Minsk, students have occupied the Gorky square, shouting anti-Lukashenko slogans and waving posters made of white-red-white colors. At that time, at least 40 individuals were counted as detentioned by local police. Vasily Senko, the University rector, has come out toward the protesting students and urged them to disperse. Students followed suit, only to find out police forces were filming them, after which they have returned to their positions. As result, about 10 journalists from different media sources were also detained on made-up charges of "instigating further conflict among the masses". In Mogilev and Kalinkavichy, protest instigators were detained on the spot by riot police. In Vitebsk, about 60 students who were marching on city streets were circled by police, young women were allowed to leave. Young men were beaten and those showing aggression were cuffed.
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In the early morning of 1 September (Knowledge Day in Belarus and Russia, when most scholar institutions open) a group of young individuals blocked several streets in downtown Minsk in view of more protests. Later, over a thousand students from numerous institutions started gathering on major streets, rallying towards the Independence Palace. Upon being refused entry by the military, students turned around and marched toward the Independence Square as well as other student rallies in the region. A couple of Euroradio journalists were detained on the spot. At least 20 students were detained by early afternoon in Minsk, on charged of "organizing unsactioned protests and rallies". Only a few were released hours later, with most students spending their time inside "avtozak" detention vans. Around 5:00 PM in Minsk, students have occupied the Gorky square, shouting anti-Lukashenko slogans and waving posters made of white-red-white colors. At that time, at least 40 individuals were detained by local police. Vasily Senko, the University rector, has come out toward the protesting students and urged them to disperse. Students followed suit, only to find out police forces were filming them, after which they have returned to their positions. As result, about 10 journalists from different media sources were also detained on made-up charges of "instigating further conflict among the masses". In Mogilev and Kalinkavichy, protest instigators were detained on the spot by riot police. In Vitebsk, about 60 students who were marching on city streets were circled by police, young women were allowed to leave. Young men were beaten and those showing aggression were cuffed.
|
|
| 976333460 |
2020-09-02T11:29:38Z |
236418(0) |
13076(-1) |
579(0) |
|
On 23 August, a rally of approximately 250,000 people dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organised in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonise security personnel.
29-year-old Konstantin Shishmakov (Belarussian: Kanstantsin Shyshmakou), director of the Bagration Military History Museum in Vawkavysk, disappeared on 15 August. As a member of election commission, he refused to sign the protocols, called his wife at about 5 pm and said: "I will not work here anymore, I am going home." But he never came home. Later he was found dead in a river. This was announced by the search and rescue squad "Angel".
In a Current Time TV video, entitled "They Treated Me Like An Animal", a number of released Belarusian detainees provided personal accounts of police abuse, which involved gang-rape and kill threats, severe beatings, tortures with cold water, food and water denial for more than 48 hours and forcing to sign a detention protocol under threats of torture.
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On 23 August, a rally of approximately 250,000 people dubbed "the march for a new Belarus" began at 14:00 in Minsk and headed towards Independence Square. Similar rallies were also organized in other cities and towns across the country. Human chains in solidarity for the Belarusian democracy movement have been organised in other countries, including one that will stretch from Vilnius to the border with Belarus. Military vehicles were seen on the streets of Minsk and road blocks and checkpoints were established on the main roads leading into the city. The army also assumed responsibility for the protection of statues and monuments from local police forces. The area around the Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum, where protesters had gathered the previous week, was blocked off with barbed wire. It was reported that people were detained by armed officers in military uniform near the museum. The rally later passed the museum where Maria Kalesnikava urged participants to not antagonize security personnel.
29-year-old Konstantin Shishmakov (Belarussian: Kanstantsin Shyshmakou), director of the Bagration Military History Museum in Vawkavysk, disappeared on 15 August. As a member of the election commission, he refused to sign the protocols, called his wife at about 5 pm and said: "I will not work here anymore, I am going home." But he never came home. Later he was found dead in a river. This was announced by the search and rescue squad "Angel".
In a Current Time TV video, entitled "They Treated Me Like An Animal", several released Belarusian detainees provided personal accounts of police abuse, which involved gang-rape and kill threats, severe beatings, tortures with cold water, food and water denial for more than 48 hours and forcing to sign a detention protocol under threats of torture.
|
|
| 976335475 |
2020-09-02T11:45:21Z |
237106(688) |
13123(47) |
580(1) |
|
|
The protests are violently suppressed by the authorities. On 1 September, in a statement by the human rights experts of the United Nations, more than 450 documented cases of torture and ill-treatment of detainees were mentioned, including sexual abuse and rape with rubber batons of women and children.
|
|
| 976335531 |
2020-09-02T11:45:37Z |
237105(-1) |
13123(0) |
580(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976365521 |
2020-09-02T15:04:14Z |
235166(-1939) |
13033(-90) |
576(-4) |
|
In the early morning of 1 September (Knowledge Day in Belarus and Russia, when most scholar institutions open) a group of young individuals blocked several streets in downtown Minsk in view of more protests. Later, over a thousand students from numerous institutions started gathering on major streets, rallying towards the Independence Palace. Upon being refused entry by the military, students turned around and marched toward the Independence Square as well as other student rallies in the region. A couple of Euroradio journalists were detained on the spot. At least 20 students were detained by early afternoon in Minsk, on charged of "organizing unsactioned protests and rallies". Only a few were released hours later, with most students spending their time inside "avtozak" detention vans. Around 5:00 PM in Minsk, students have occupied the Gorky square, shouting anti-Lukashenko slogans and waving posters made of white-red-white colors. At that time, at least 40 individuals were detained by local police. Vasily Senko, the University rector, has come out toward the protesting students and urged them to disperse. Students followed suit, only to find out police forces were filming them, after which they have returned to their positions. As result, about 10 journalists from different media sources were also detained on made-up charges of "instigating further conflict among the masses". In Mogilev and Kalinkavichy, protest instigators were detained on the spot by riot police. In Vitebsk, about 60 students who were marching on city streets were circled by police, young women were allowed to leave. Young men were beaten and those showing aggression were cuffed.
Alexander Lukashenko met a crowd of supporters in Baranavichy. He first explained that the catholic bishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was refused re-entry into Belarus because "he left the country for Warsaw days earlier, only to receive instructions there, and come back" having therefore violated the Belarusian integrity policy. Then, he reassured the people that Belarus will hinder extranational sactions from Baltic countries with yet to find solution. Brest and Grodno will most likely see their borders put on curfew for being most likeable targets for external compromise. Finally, Lukashenko raised the question of a referendum on joining the Russian Federation, seemingly culminating the people's demand of constitutional reforms. He said he was open to negotiation only with the current government's representatives, not the "self-proclaimed" Coordination Council.
The UN have released a human rights report indicating that at least 450 individuals in Belarus faced cruelty and torture without a due cause. Moreover, six people are considered missing 'at large' after a month when their whereabouts still remain unknown.
|
On 1 September, the Knowledge Day in Belarus and Russia when most scholar institutions open, a several streets in downtown Minsk were blocked by protesters, and over a thousand students from various institutions gathered on major streets rallying towards the Independence Palace. Upon being refused entry by the military, students turned around and marched toward the Independence Square. A couple of Euroradio journalists were detained on the spot. At least 20 students were detained by early afternoon in Minsk, charged with "organizing unsactioned protests and rallies". Only a few were released hours later. Around 5:00 PM in Minsk, students occupied the Gorky square, shouting anti-Lukashenko slogans and waving posters made of white-red-white colors. At that time, at least 40 individuals were detained by local police.[citation needed] Vasily Senko, the University rector, has came out toward the protesting students and urged them to disperse. Students followed suit, only to find out police forces were filming them, after which they have returned to their positions. As a result, about 10 journalists from different media sources were also detained on made-up charges of "instigating further conflict among the masses".[citation needed] In Mogilev and Kalinkavichy, some of the local protest leaders were detained by riot police. In Vitebsk, about 60 students who were marching on city streets were circled by police, young women were allowed to leave. Young men were beaten and those showing aggression were cuffed.[citation needed] In a meeting with his supporters in Baranavichy, Alexander Lukashenko explained that the catholic bishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was refused entry into Belarus due to "being tasked with certain things there". He reassured the people that Belarus would hinder sanctions from Baltic countries and mentioned the closure of borders in Brest and Grodno as a potential counteract to the sanctions. Finally, Lukashenko raised the question of a referendum on joining the Russian Federation, seemingly culminating the people's demand of constitutional reforms. He said he was open to negotiation only with the current government's representatives, not the "self-proclaimed" Coordination Council.[citation needed]
|
|
| 976365666 |
2020-09-02T15:05:07Z |
235165(-1) |
13032(-1) |
576(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
On 1 September, the Knowledge Day in Belarus and Russia when most scholar institutions open, a several streets in downtown Minsk were blocked by protesters, and over a thousand students from various institutions gathered on major streets rallying towards the Independence Palace. Upon being refused entry by the military, students turned around and marched toward the Independence Square. A couple of Euroradio journalists were detained on the spot. At least 20 students were detained by early afternoon in Minsk, charged with "organizing unsactioned protests and rallies". Only a few were released hours later. Around 5:00 PM in Minsk, students occupied the Gorky square, shouting anti-Lukashenko slogans and waving posters made of white-red-white colors. At that time, at least 40 individuals were detained by local police.[citation needed] Vasily Senko, the University rector, has came out toward the protesting students and urged them to disperse. Students followed suit, only to find out police forces were filming them, after which they have returned to their positions. As a result, about 10 journalists from different media sources were also detained on made-up charges of "instigating further conflict among the masses".[citation needed] In Mogilev and Kalinkavichy, some of the local protest leaders were detained by riot police. In Vitebsk, about 60 students who were marching on city streets were circled by police, young women were allowed to leave. Young men were beaten and those showing aggression were cuffed.[citation needed] In a meeting with his supporters in Baranavichy, Alexander Lukashenko explained that the catholic bishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was refused entry into Belarus due to "being tasked with certain things there". He reassured the people that Belarus would hinder sanctions from Baltic countries and mentioned the closure of borders in Brest and Grodno as a potential counteract to the sanctions. Finally, Lukashenko raised the question of a referendum on joining the Russian Federation, seemingly culminating the people's demand of constitutional reforms. He said he was open to negotiation only with the current government's representatives, not the "self-proclaimed" Coordination Council.[citation needed]
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On 1 September, the Knowledge Day in Belarus and Russia when most scholar institutions open, a several streets in downtown Minsk were blocked by protesters, and over a thousand students from various institutions gathered on major streets rallying towards the Independence Palace. Upon being refused entry by the military, students turned around and marched toward the Independence Square. A couple of Euroradio journalists were detained on the spot. At least 20 students were detained by early afternoon in Minsk, charged with "organizing unsactioned protests and rallies". Only a few were released hours later. Around 5:00 PM in Minsk, students occupied the Gorky square, shouting anti-Lukashenko slogans and waving posters made of white-red-white colors. At that time, at least 40 individuals were detained by local police.[citation needed] Vasily Senko, the University rector, has came out toward the protesting students and urged them to disperse. Students followed suit, only to find out police forces were filming them, after which they have returned to their positions. As a result, about 10 journalists from different media sources were also detained on made-up charges of "instigating further conflict among the masses".[citation needed] In Mogilev and Kalinkavichy, some of the local protest leaders were detained by riot police. In Vitebsk, about 60 students who were marching on city streets were circled by police, young women were allowed to leave. Young men were beaten and those showing aggression were cuffed.[citation needed] In a meeting with his supporters in Baranavichy, Alexander Lukashenko explained that the catholic bishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was refused entry into Belarus due to "being tasked with certain things there". He reassured the people that Belarus would hinder sanctions from Baltic countries and mentioned the closure of borders in Brest and Grodno as a potential counteract to the sanctions. Finally, Lukashenko raised the question of a referendum on joining the Russian Federation, seemingly culminating the people's demand of constitutional reforms. He said he was open to negotiation only with the current government's representatives, not the "self-proclaimed" Coordination Council.[citation needed]
|
|
| 976366833 |
2020-09-02T15:12:27Z |
235172(7) |
13032(0) |
576(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976387267 |
2020-09-02T17:12:31Z |
235252(80) |
13032(0) |
576(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976392739 |
2020-09-02T17:42:05Z |
235904(652) |
13077(45) |
578(2) |
Attacks on journalists and censorship |
|
On 1 September, 6 Belarusian journalists who covered the protest march of students in Minsk were detained. Initially they were taken to the police office to check the documents, but later they were charged with "participation in an unauthorized mass event" and coordination of the protests.
|
|
| 976402184 |
2020-09-02T18:36:29Z |
236133(229) |
13077(0) |
578(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976402902 |
2020-09-02T18:41:15Z |
236127(-6) |
13076(-1) |
578(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
On 1 September, the Knowledge Day in Belarus and Russia when most scholar institutions open, a several streets in downtown Minsk were blocked by protesters, and over a thousand students from various institutions gathered on major streets rallying towards the Independence Palace. Upon being refused entry by the military, students turned around and marched toward the Independence Square. A couple of Euroradio journalists were detained on the spot. At least 20 students were detained by early afternoon in Minsk, charged with "organizing unsactioned protests and rallies". Only a few were released hours later. Around 5:00 PM in Minsk, students occupied the Gorky square, shouting anti-Lukashenko slogans and waving posters made of white-red-white colors. At that time, at least 40 individuals were detained by local police.[citation needed] Vasily Senko, the University rector, has came out toward the protesting students and urged them to disperse. Students followed suit, only to find out police forces were filming them, after which they have returned to their positions. As a result, about 10 journalists from different media sources were also detained on made-up charges of "instigating further conflict among the masses".[citation needed] In Mogilev and Kalinkavichy, some of the local protest leaders were detained by riot police. In Vitebsk, about 60 students who were marching on city streets were circled by police, young women were allowed to leave. Young men were beaten and those showing aggression were cuffed.[citation needed] In a meeting with his supporters in Baranavichy, Alexander Lukashenko explained that the catholic bishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was refused entry into Belarus due to "being tasked with certain things there". He reassured the people that Belarus would hinder sanctions from Baltic countries and mentioned the closure of borders in Brest and Grodno as a potential counteract to the sanctions. Finally, Lukashenko raised the question of a referendum on joining the Russian Federation, seemingly culminating the people's demand of constitutional reforms. He said he was open to negotiation only with the current government's representatives, not the "self-proclaimed" Coordination Council.[citation needed]
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On 1 September, the Knowledge Day in Belarus and Russia when most scholar institutions open, a several streets in downtown Minsk were blocked by protesters, and over a thousand students from various institutions gathered on major streets rallying towards the Independence Palace. Upon being refused entry by the military, students turned around and occupied the Independence Square. A couple of Euroradio journalists were detained on the spot. At least 20 students were detained by early afternoon in Minsk, charged with "organizing unsactioned protests and rallies". Only a few were released hours later. Around 5:00 PM in Minsk, students occupied the Gorky square, shouting anti-Lukashenko slogans and waving posters made of white-red-white colors. At that time, at least 40 individuals were detained by local police.[citation needed] Vasily Senko, the University rector, has came out toward the protesting students and urged them to disperse. Students followed suit, only to find out police forces were filming them, after which they have returned to their positions. As a result, about 10 journalists from different media sources were also detained on made-up charges of "instigating further conflict among the masses".[citation needed] In Mogilev and Kalinkavichy, some of the local protest leaders were detained by riot police. In Vitebsk, about 60 students who were marching on city streets were circled by police, young women were allowed to leave. Young men were beaten and those showing aggression were cuffed.[citation needed] In a meeting with his supporters in Baranavichy, Alexander Lukashenko explained that the catholic bishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was refused entry into Belarus due to "being tasked with certain things there". He reassured the people that Belarus would hinder sanctions from Baltic countries and mentioned the closure of borders in Brest and Grodno as a potential counteract to the sanctions. Finally, Lukashenko raised the question of a referendum on joining the Russian Federation, seemingly culminating the people's demand of constitutional reforms. He said he was open to negotiation only with the current government's representatives, not the "self-proclaimed" Coordination Council.[citation needed]
|
|
| 976409392 |
2020-09-02T19:20:56Z |
236126(-1) |
13076(0) |
578(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976410497 |
2020-09-02T19:27:27Z |
236159(33) |
13076(0) |
578(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976413243 |
2020-09-02T19:44:03Z |
235598(-561) |
13042(-34) |
577(-1) |
|
On 31 August, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya was invited to address the United Nations Security Council. The Metropolitan Archbishop of Minsk and Mahilyow and head of the Roman Catholic Church in Belarus, Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, was prevented from entering the country after visiting Poland, despite being a Belarusian citizen. Metropolitan Kondrusiewicz had earlier stated that he believed the presidential election had been dishonest. Coordination Council presidium member Liliya Vlasova was detained by the Department of Internal Affairs on unknown charges. The Belarusian ambassador for Spain was removed from his post after saying that the votes from the presidential election should be recounted and that "open court hearings" should proceed against police officers accused of excessive force and torture. A man on the streets of Minsk was grabbed by several other men in civilian clothes and dragged into a van after he shouted insults at a riot police officer nearby.
On 1 September, the Knowledge Day in Belarus and Russia when most scholar institutions open, a several streets in downtown Minsk were blocked by protesters, and over a thousand students from various institutions gathered on major streets rallying towards the Independence Palace. Upon being refused entry by the military, students turned around and occupied the Independence Square. A couple of Euroradio journalists were detained on the spot. At least 20 students were detained by early afternoon in Minsk, charged with "organizing unsactioned protests and rallies". Only a few were released hours later. Around 5:00 PM in Minsk, students occupied the Gorky square, shouting anti-Lukashenko slogans and waving posters made of white-red-white colors. At that time, at least 40 individuals were detained by local police.[citation needed] Vasily Senko, the University rector, has came out toward the protesting students and urged them to disperse. Students followed suit, only to find out police forces were filming them, after which they have returned to their positions. As a result, about 10 journalists from different media sources were also detained on made-up charges of "instigating further conflict among the masses".[citation needed] In Mogilev and Kalinkavichy, some of the local protest leaders were detained by riot police. In Vitebsk, about 60 students who were marching on city streets were circled by police, young women were allowed to leave. Young men were beaten and those showing aggression were cuffed.[citation needed] In a meeting with his supporters in Baranavichy, Alexander Lukashenko explained that the catholic bishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was refused entry into Belarus due to "being tasked with certain things there". He reassured the people that Belarus would hinder sanctions from Baltic countries and mentioned the closure of borders in Brest and Grodno as a potential counteract to the sanctions. Finally, Lukashenko raised the question of a referendum on joining the Russian Federation, seemingly culminating the people's demand of constitutional reforms. He said he was open to negotiation only with the current government's representatives, not the "self-proclaimed" Coordination Council.[citation needed]
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On 31 August, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya was invited to address the United Nations Security Council. The Metropolitan Archbishop of Minsk and Mahilyow and head of the Roman Catholic Church in Belarus, Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, was prevented from entering the country after visiting Poland, despite being a Belarusian citizen. Metropolitan Kondrusiewicz had earlier stated that he believed the presidential election had been dishonest. Coordination Council presidium member Liliya Vlasova was detained by the Department of Internal Affairs on unknown charges. The Belarusian ambassador for Spain was removed from his post after saying that the votes from the presidential election should be recounted and that "open court hearings" should proceed against police officers accused of excessive force and torture.
On 1 September, the Knowledge Day in Belarus and Russia when most scholar institutions open, several streets in downtown Minsk were blocked by protesters, and over a thousand students from various institutions gathered on major streets rallying towards the Independence Palace. Upon being refused entry by the military, students turned around and occupied the Independence Square. Two Euroradio journalists were detained on the spot. At least 20 students were detained by early afternoon in Minsk, charged with "organizing unsactioned protests and rallies". Only a few were released hours later. Around 5:00 PM in Minsk, students occupied the Gorky square, shouting anti-Lukashenko slogans and waving posters made of white-red-white colors. At that time, at least 40 individuals were detained by local police.[citation needed] Vasily Senko, the University rector, has came out toward the protesting students and urged them to disperse. Students followed suit, only to find out police forces were filming them, after which they have returned to their positions. As a result, about 10 journalists from different media sources were also detained on made-up charges of "instigating further conflict among the masses".[citation needed] In Mogilev and Kalinkavichy, some of the local protest leaders were detained by riot police. In Vitebsk, about 60 students who were marching on city streets were circled by police, young women were allowed to leave. Young men were beaten and those showing aggression were cuffed.[citation needed] In a meeting with his supporters in Baranavichy, Alexander Lukashenko explained that the catholic bishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was refused entry into Belarus due to "being tasked with certain things there". He reassured the people that Belarus would hinder sanctions from Baltic countries and mentioned the closure of borders in Brest and Grodno as a potential counteract to the sanctions. Finally, Lukashenko raised the question of a referendum on joining the Russian Federation, seemingly culminating the people's demand of constitutional reforms. He said he was open to negotiation only with the current government's representatives, not the "self-proclaimed" Coordination Council.[citation needed]
|
|
| 976414967 |
2020-09-02T19:54:40Z |
235594(-4) |
13041(-1) |
577(0) |
|
On 1 September, the Knowledge Day in Belarus and Russia when most scholar institutions open, several streets in downtown Minsk were blocked by protesters, and over a thousand students from various institutions gathered on major streets rallying towards the Independence Palace. Upon being refused entry by the military, students turned around and occupied the Independence Square. Two Euroradio journalists were detained on the spot. At least 20 students were detained by early afternoon in Minsk, charged with "organizing unsactioned protests and rallies". Only a few were released hours later. Around 5:00 PM in Minsk, students occupied the Gorky square, shouting anti-Lukashenko slogans and waving posters made of white-red-white colors. At that time, at least 40 individuals were detained by local police.[citation needed] Vasily Senko, the University rector, has came out toward the protesting students and urged them to disperse. Students followed suit, only to find out police forces were filming them, after which they have returned to their positions. As a result, about 10 journalists from different media sources were also detained on made-up charges of "instigating further conflict among the masses".[citation needed] In Mogilev and Kalinkavichy, some of the local protest leaders were detained by riot police. In Vitebsk, about 60 students who were marching on city streets were circled by police, young women were allowed to leave. Young men were beaten and those showing aggression were cuffed.[citation needed] In a meeting with his supporters in Baranavichy, Alexander Lukashenko explained that the catholic bishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was refused entry into Belarus due to "being tasked with certain things there". He reassured the people that Belarus would hinder sanctions from Baltic countries and mentioned the closure of borders in Brest and Grodno as a potential counteract to the sanctions. Finally, Lukashenko raised the question of a referendum on joining the Russian Federation, seemingly culminating the people's demand of constitutional reforms. He said he was open to negotiation only with the current government's representatives, not the "self-proclaimed" Coordination Council.[citation needed]
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On 1 September, Knowledge Day in Belarus and Russia when most scholar institutions open, several streets in downtown Minsk were blocked by protesters, and over a thousand students from various institutions gathered on major streets rallying towards the Independence Palace. Upon being refused entry by the military, students turned around and occupied the Independence Square. Two Euroradio journalists were detained on the spot. At least 20 students were detained by early afternoon in Minsk, charged with "organizing unsactioned protests and rallies". Only a few were released hours later. Around 5:00 PM in Minsk, students occupied the Gorky square, shouting anti-Lukashenko slogans and waving posters made of white-red-white colors. At that time, at least 40 individuals were detained by local police.[citation needed] Vasily Senko, the University rector, has came out toward the protesting students and urged them to disperse. Students followed suit, only to find out police forces were filming them, after which they have returned to their positions. As a result, about 10 journalists from different media sources were also detained on made-up charges of "instigating further conflict among the masses".[citation needed] In Mogilev and Kalinkavichy, some of the local protest leaders were detained by riot police. In Vitebsk, about 60 students who were marching on city streets were circled by police, young women were allowed to leave. Young men were beaten and those showing aggression were cuffed.[citation needed] In a meeting with his supporters in Baranavichy, Alexander Lukashenko explained that the catholic bishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was refused entry into Belarus due to "being tasked with certain things there". He reassured the people that Belarus would hinder sanctions from Baltic countries and mentioned the closure of borders in Brest and Grodno as a potential counteract to the sanctions. Finally, Lukashenko raised the question of a referendum on joining the Russian Federation, seemingly culminating the people's demand of constitutional reforms. He said he was open to negotiation only with the current government's representatives, not the "self-proclaimed" Coordination Council.[citation needed]
|
|
| 976415531 |
2020-09-02T19:58:21Z |
235561(-33) |
13041(0) |
577(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976423042 |
2020-09-02T20:44:26Z |
235507(-54) |
13041(0) |
577(0) |
2020 Belarusian protests |
|
|
|
| 976423588 |
2020-09-02T20:47:48Z |
235513(6) |
13042(1) |
577(0) |
2020 Belarusian protests |
The protests are violently suppressed by the authorities. On 1 September, in a statement by the human rights experts of the United Nations, more than 450 documented cases of torture and ill-treatment of detainees were mentioned, including sexual abuse and rape with rubber batons of women and children.
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The protests have been violently suppressed by the authorities. On 1 September, in a statement by the human rights experts of the United Nations, more than 450 documented cases of torture and ill-treatment of detainees were mentioned, including sexual abuse and rape with rubber batons of women and children.
|
|
| 976424389 |
2020-09-02T20:52:54Z |
235765(252) |
13042(0) |
578(1) |
2020 Belarusian protests |
|
|
|
| 976424926 |
2020-09-02T20:56:33Z |
235765(0) |
13042(0) |
578(0) |
2020 Belarusian protests |
|
|
|
| 976425303 |
2020-09-02T20:59:10Z |
235766(1) |
13042(0) |
578(0) |
2020 Belarusian protests |
|
|
|
| 976459653 |
2020-09-03T01:52:36Z |
235687(-79) |
13042(0) |
578(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976470034 |
2020-09-03T03:14:18Z |
235655(-32) |
13042(0) |
578(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976470161 |
2020-09-03T03:15:27Z |
235658(3) |
13042(0) |
578(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in regional capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of "tanks" moving through the streets of Minsk (which later turned out to be several BTR-80 military vehicles). Shortly before 17:00 three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had appeared at the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00 most of the crowd had moved back towards the city center, partly due to a hailstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to remain at State Flag Square, outside the Castle shopping center and in the streets around the city center where people continued to chant anti-Lukashenko slogans. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released a photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun (presumably from his "standoff" a week earlier). By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk, Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in regional capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of "tanks" moving through the streets of Minsk (which later turned out to be several BTR-80 military vehicles). Shortly before 17:00, three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had appeared at the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00, most of the crowd had moved back towards the city center, partly due to a hailstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to remain at State Flag Square, outside the Castle shopping center and in the streets around the city center, where people continued to chant anti-Lukashenko slogans. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released a photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun (presumably from his "standoff" a week earlier). By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk, Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
|
|
| 976470371 |
2020-09-03T03:18:08Z |
235657(-1) |
13041(-1) |
578(0) |
Before the election |
The protests have led to questions of how long the conflict may last for, and whether it will escalate into violence, possibly evolving into a full revolution, akin to how the Euromaidan protests turned into a revolution in Ukraine in 2014. The German Marshall Fund, a US think tank, noted that the protests were more widespread, and more brutally repressed, than previous protests in Belarus.
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The protests have led to questions of how long the conflict may last for, and whether it will escalate into violence, possibly evolving into a full revolution, akin to how the Euromaidan protests turned into a revolution in Ukraine in 2014. The German Marshall Fund, a US think tank, noted that the protests were more widespread, and more brutally repressed, than previous protests in Belarus.
|
|
| 976470689 |
2020-09-03T03:20:32Z |
235657(0) |
13041(0) |
578(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976470841 |
2020-09-03T03:22:16Z |
235656(-1) |
13040(-1) |
578(0) |
Third week (23–29 August) |
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government bikers rally took place in Minsk Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace, Victory Square and October Square in Minsk and buses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Minsk. A woman's solidarity march, numbering approximately five thousand people, began on Independence Avenue at 16:00 and headed towards Independence Square. Riot police attempted to block its progress, but the march was able to pass. By
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On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government bikers rally took place in Minsk Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace, Victory Square and October Square in Minsk and buses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Minsk. A woman's solidarity march, numbering approximately five thousand people, began on Independence Avenue at 16:00 and headed towards Independence Square. Riot police attempted to block its progress, but the march was able to pass. By
|
|
| 976471000 |
2020-09-03T03:23:54Z |
235656(0) |
13040(0) |
578(0) |
Third week (23–29 August) |
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government bikers rally took place in Minsk Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace, Victory Square and October Square in Minsk and buses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Minsk. A woman's solidarity march, numbering approximately five thousand people, began on Independence Avenue at 16:00 and headed towards Independence Square. Riot police attempted to block its progress, but the march was able to pass. By
19:00 the rally had grown at approximately fifteen thousand people and was heading towards Bangalore Square, again overpowering security forces that tried to block its progress. At least two journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and one journalist from TUT.by were detained at this rally. An anti-Lukashenko demonstration was also held in Brest. Solidarity demonstrations took place in Jerusalem and in Frankfurt.
|
On 29 August, a pro-government rally and an anti-government bikers rally took place in Minsk Barriers were installed around the Independence Palace, Victory Square and October Square in Minsk and buses with their windows blacked out were seen around Freedom Square in the city. Unidentified vehicles with Russian number plates were seen driving around Minsk. A woman's solidarity march, numbering approximately five thousand people, began on Independence Avenue at 16:00 and headed towards Independence Square. Riot police attempted to block its progress, but the march was able to pass. By 19:00, the rally had grown at approximately fifteen thousand people and was heading towards Bangalore Square, again overpowering security forces that tried to block its progress. At least two journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and one journalist from TUT.by were detained at this rally. An anti-Lukashenko demonstration was also held in Brest. Solidarity demonstrations took place in Jerusalem and in Frankfurt.
|
|
| 976471429 |
2020-09-03T03:28:19Z |
235655(-1) |
13039(-1) |
578(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
On 1 September, Knowledge Day in Belarus and Russia when most scholar institutions open, several streets in downtown Minsk were blocked by protesters, and over a thousand students from various institutions gathered on major streets rallying towards the Independence Palace. Upon being refused entry by the military, students turned around and occupied the Independence Square. Two Euroradio journalists were detained on the spot. At least 20 students were detained by early afternoon in Minsk, charged with "organizing unsactioned protests and rallies". Only a few were released hours later. Around 5:00 PM in Minsk, students occupied the Gorky square, shouting anti-Lukashenko slogans and waving posters made of white-red-white colors. At that time, at least 40 individuals were detained by local police.[citation needed] Vasily Senko, the University rector, has came out toward the protesting students and urged them to disperse. Students followed suit, only to find out police forces were filming them, after which they have returned to their positions. As a result, about 10 journalists from different media sources were also detained on made-up charges of "instigating further conflict among the masses".[citation needed] In Mogilev and Kalinkavichy, some of the local protest leaders were detained by riot police. In Vitebsk, about 60 students who were marching on city streets were circled by police, young women were allowed to leave. Young men were beaten and those showing aggression were cuffed.[citation needed] In a meeting with his supporters in Baranavichy, Alexander Lukashenko explained that the catholic bishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was refused entry into Belarus due to "being tasked with certain things there". He reassured the people that Belarus would hinder sanctions from Baltic countries and mentioned the closure of borders in Brest and Grodno as a potential counteract to the sanctions. Finally, Lukashenko raised the question of a referendum on joining the Russian Federation, seemingly culminating the people's demand of constitutional reforms. He said he was open to negotiation only with the current government's representatives, not the "self-proclaimed" Coordination Council.[citation needed]
|
On 1 September, Knowledge Day in Belarus and Russia when most scholar institutions opened, several streets in downtown Minsk were blocked by protesters, and over a thousand students from various institutions gathered on major streets rallying towards the Independence Palace. Upon being refused entry by the military, students turned around and occupied the Independence Square. Two Euroradio journalists were detained on the spot. At least 20 students were detained by early afternoon in Minsk, charged with "organizing unsanctioned protests and rallies". Only a few were released hours later. Around 5:00 PM in Minsk, students occupied the Gorky square, shouting anti-Lukashenko slogans and waving posters made of white-red-white colors. At that time, at least 40 individuals were detained by local police.[citation needed] Vasily Senko, the University rector, came out toward the protesting students and urged them to disperse. Students followed suit, only to find out police forces were filming them, after which they have returned to their positions. As a result, about 10 journalists from different media sources were also detained on made-up charges of "instigating further conflict among the masses".[citation needed] In Mogilev and Kalinkavichy, some of the local protest leaders were detained by riot police. In Vitebsk, about 60 students who were marching on city streets were circled by police, young women were allowed to leave. Young men were beaten and those showing aggression were cuffed.[citation needed] In a meeting with his supporters in Baranavichy, Alexander Lukashenko explained that the catholic bishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was refused entry into Belarus due to "being tasked with certain things there". He reassured the people that Belarus would hinder sanctions from Baltic countries and mentioned the closure of borders in Brest and Grodno as a potential counteract to the sanctions. Finally, Lukashenko raised the question of a referendum on joining the Russian Federation, seemingly culminating the people's demand of constitutional reforms. He said he was open to negotiation only with the current government's representatives, not the "self-proclaimed" Coordination Council.[citation needed]
|
|
| 976471567 |
2020-09-03T03:30:00Z |
235653(-2) |
13037(-2) |
578(0) |
Before the election |
During an interview, Lukashenko claimed that the opposition protests were a part of a plot orchestrated by foreigners, whom he suggested might be Americans, NATO members, Russians, or even Ukrainians. On 19 June, Lukashenko announced that he had "foiled a coup attempt", resulting in the arrest of main opposition rival Viktar Babaryka. According to CNN, Babaryka stated that the charges of bribery and corruption were falsified and the arrest was politically motivated to stop him from winning the presidential election.
Tikhanovsky's wife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya registered as a candidate in the upcoming election after the arrest of Babaryka. Lukashenko insisted the constitution was not ready for women to become president. Unregistered candidate Valeriy Tsepkalo's wife Veronika Tsepkalo announced that she and Maria Kalesnikava, head of the Babaryka's presidential campaign staff, would join and provide support to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
|
During an interview, Lukashenko claimed that the opposition protests were a part of a plot orchestrated by foreigners, whom he suggested might be Americans, NATO members, Russians, or even Ukrainians. On 19 June, Lukashenko announced that he had "foiled a coup attempt", resulting in the arrest of main opposition rival Viktar Babaryka. According to CNN, Babaryka stated that the charges of bribery and corruption were falsified and the arrest was politically motivated to stop him from winning the presidential election.
Tikhanovsky's wife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya registered as a candidate in the upcoming election after the arrest of Babaryka. Lukashenko insisted the constitution was not ready for women to become president. Unregistered candidate Valeriy Tsepkalo's wife Veronika Tsepkalo announced that she and Maria Kalesnikava, head of the Babaryka's presidential campaign staff, would join and provide support to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
|
|
| 976471705 |
2020-09-03T03:31:37Z |
235651(-2) |
13035(-2) |
578(0) |
Second week (16–22 August) |
Lukashenko had announced that an air assault brigade would hold week-long un-scheduled maneuvers starting 17 August in western Belarus before announcing that NATO forces were "at the gates" and threatening the country, prompting President Putin to offer military assistance, opening a possibility of Belarus being taken over through annexation or a "union state". In the early morning of 17 August, several military trucks carrying unmarked soldiers were spotted heading towards Minsk on M1 "Belarus" highway in Russia.
|
Lukashenko had announced that an air assault brigade would hold week-long un-scheduled maneuvers starting 17 August in western Belarus before announcing that NATO forces were "at the gates" and threatening the country, prompting President Putin to offer military assistance, opening a possibility of Belarus being taken over through annexation or a "union state". In the early morning of 17 August, several military trucks carrying unmarked soldiers were spotted heading towards Minsk on M1 "Belarus" highway in Russia.
|
|
| 976471862 |
2020-09-03T03:32:50Z |
235650(-1) |
13035(0) |
578(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976472043 |
2020-09-03T03:34:36Z |
235649(-1) |
13035(0) |
578(0) |
Symbols |
|
|
|
| 976479180 |
2020-09-03T04:45:33Z |
242306(6657) |
13562(527) |
590(12) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
|
On 2 September the journalists detained on the previous day were tried and fined in accordance with administrative code of Belarus. That decision was made with crowds of solidarity outside the State courthouse. The remaining three members of the Coordination Council were brought up for questioning. Over a thousand railroad workers have written a direct address to their corporation, asking for another elections to be held and Lukashenko ousted from his presidential position. Ignoring contract termination warnings, some of them also went on strike that day. A similar address also came out of the Grodno meat-processing factory, where over 800 workers signed a letter of protest directed to Lukashenko. The Belarus State University Lyceum published a statement on their website condemning violence, injustice and electoral fraud coming from Lukashenko's government. They also urged major institutions to close and go on strike, suggest that "they cannot arrest all of us, most of us". The Mozyr Oil Refinery direction has decided to close its main building after receiving a letter signed by 1200 personnel concerned about police brutality in the region. The same address also had similar goals brought up, including re-election and Lukashenko's resignation. That letter follows another one what was given to MOR's administration last week, but which has never been heard again from.
Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign affairs minister, held a meeting with equals from Belarus (Vladimir Makey) and Urkaine (Dmytro Kuleba), where they discussed the current situation of Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by Ukrainian government. Kuleba retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine has no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asking the European Human Rights Board to interfere. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later on tweeted to have left the country for Poland. Later on, he plans to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, the founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers has been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government.. In response to this, company workers have formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The founder, the head of company as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk, around 5:00 PM, again, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two solid hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not having interfered. According to the calculations of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September. 95 of them were charged with administrative misconduct. 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
|
|
| 976479627 |
2020-09-03T04:50:48Z |
242305(-1) |
13560(-2) |
590(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
On 2 September the journalists detained on the previous day were tried and fined in accordance with administrative code of Belarus. That decision was made with crowds of solidarity outside the State courthouse. The remaining three members of the Coordination Council were brought up for questioning. Over a thousand railroad workers have written a direct address to their corporation, asking for another elections to be held and Lukashenko ousted from his presidential position. Ignoring contract termination warnings, some of them also went on strike that day. A similar address also came out of the Grodno meat-processing factory, where over 800 workers signed a letter of protest directed to Lukashenko. The Belarus State University Lyceum published a statement on their website condemning violence, injustice and electoral fraud coming from Lukashenko's government. They also urged major institutions to close and go on strike, suggest that "they cannot arrest all of us, most of us". The Mozyr Oil Refinery direction has decided to close its main building after receiving a letter signed by 1200 personnel concerned about police brutality in the region. The same address also had similar goals brought up, including re-election and Lukashenko's resignation. That letter follows another one what was given to MOR's administration last week, but which has never been heard again from.
Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign affairs minister, held a meeting with equals from Belarus (Vladimir Makey) and Urkaine (Dmytro Kuleba), where they discussed the current situation of Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by Ukrainian government. Kuleba retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine has no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asking the European Human Rights Board to interfere. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later on tweeted to have left the country for Poland. Later on, he plans to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, the founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers has been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government.. In response to this, company workers have formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The founder, the head of company as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk, around 5:00 PM, again, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two solid hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not having interfered. According to the calculations of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September. 95 of them were charged with administrative misconduct. 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
|
On 2 September the journalists detained on the previous day were tried and fined in accordance with administrative code of Belarus. That decision was met with crowds of solidarity outside the State courthouse. The remaining three members of the Coordination Council were brought up for questioning. Over a thousand railroad workers have written a direct address to their corporation, asking for another elections to be held and Lukashenko ousted from his presidential position. Ignoring contract termination warnings, some of them also went on strike that day. A similar address came out of the Grodno meat-processing factory, where over 800 workers signed a letter of protest directed at Lukashenko. The Belarus State University Lyceum published a statement on their website condemning violence, injustice and electoral fraud coming from Lukashenko's government. They also urged major institutions to close and go on strike, suggesting that "they cannot arrest all of us, most of us". The Mozyr Oil Refinery direction has decided to close its main building after receiving a letter signed by 1200 personnel concerned about police brutality in the region. The same address also had similar goals brought up, including re-election and Lukashenko's resignation. That letter follows another one which was given to MOR's administration last week, but has never been heard again from.
Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign affairs minister, held a meeting with equals from Belarus (Vladimir Makey) and Urkaine (Dmytro Kuleba), where they discussed the current situation of Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by Ukrainian government. Kuleba retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine has no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asking the European Human Rights Board to interfere. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later on tweeted to have left the country for Poland. Subsequently, he plans to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then to fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, the founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers has been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government.. In response to this, company workers have formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The founder, the head of company as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk, around 5:00 PM, again, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two solid hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not having interfered. According to the calculations of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September. 95 of them were charged with administrative misconduct. 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
|
|
| 976488324 |
2020-09-03T06:29:28Z |
242305(0) |
13560(0) |
590(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign affairs minister, held a meeting with equals from Belarus (Vladimir Makey) and Urkaine (Dmytro Kuleba), where they discussed the current situation of Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by Ukrainian government. Kuleba retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine has no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asking the European Human Rights Board to interfere. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later on tweeted to have left the country for Poland. Subsequently, he plans to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then to fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, the founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers has been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government.. In response to this, company workers have formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The founder, the head of company as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk, around 5:00 PM, again, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two solid hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not having interfered. According to the calculations of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September. 95 of them were charged with administrative misconduct. 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
|
Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign affairs minister, held a meeting with equals from Belarus (Vladimir Makey) and Ukraine (Dmytro Kuleba), where they discussed the current situation of Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by Ukrainian government. Kuleba retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine has no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asking the European Human Rights Board to interfere. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later on tweeted to have left the country for Poland. Subsequently, he plans to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then to fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, the founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers has been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government.. In response to this, company workers have formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The founder, the head of company as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk, around 5:00 PM, again, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two solid hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not having interfered. According to the calculations of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September. 95 of them were charged with administrative misconduct. 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
|
|
| 976490367 |
2020-09-03T06:52:45Z |
242398(93) |
13561(1) |
590(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign affairs minister, held a meeting with equals from Belarus (Vladimir Makey) and Ukraine (Dmytro Kuleba), where they discussed the current situation of Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by Ukrainian government. Kuleba retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine has no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asking the European Human Rights Board to interfere. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later on tweeted to have left the country for Poland. Subsequently, he plans to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then to fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, the founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers has been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government.. In response to this, company workers have formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The founder, the head of company as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk, around 5:00 PM, again, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two solid hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not having interfered. According to the calculations of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September. 95 of them were charged with administrative misconduct. 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
|
Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign affairs minister, held a meeting with equals from Belarus (Vladimir Makey) and Ukraine (Dmytro Kuleba), where they discussed the current situation of Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by Ukrainian government. Kuleba retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine has no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asking the European Human Rights Board to interfere. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later on tweeted to have left the country for Poland. Subsequently, he plans to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then to fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, the founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their Minsk offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers has been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government. In response to this, company workers have formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The founder, the head of company as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk, around 5:00 PM, again, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two solid hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not having interfered. According to the calculations of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September. 95 of them were charged with administrative misconduct. 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
|
|
| 976492372 |
2020-09-03T07:15:43Z |
242409(11) |
13563(2) |
590(0) |
Post-election |
On 2 September the journalists detained on the previous day were tried and fined in accordance with administrative code of Belarus. That decision was met with crowds of solidarity outside the State courthouse. The remaining three members of the Coordination Council were brought up for questioning. Over a thousand railroad workers have written a direct address to their corporation, asking for another elections to be held and Lukashenko ousted from his presidential position. Ignoring contract termination warnings, some of them also went on strike that day. A similar address came out of the Grodno meat-processing factory, where over 800 workers signed a letter of protest directed at Lukashenko. The Belarus State University Lyceum published a statement on their website condemning violence, injustice and electoral fraud coming from Lukashenko's government. They also urged major institutions to close and go on strike, suggesting that "they cannot arrest all of us, most of us". The Mozyr Oil Refinery direction has decided to close its main building after receiving a letter signed by 1200 personnel concerned about police brutality in the region. The same address also had similar goals brought up, including re-election and Lukashenko's resignation. That letter follows another one which was given to MOR's administration last week, but has never been heard again from.
Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign affairs minister, held a meeting with equals from Belarus (Vladimir Makey) and Ukraine (Dmytro Kuleba), where they discussed the current situation of Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by Ukrainian government. Kuleba retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine has no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asking the European Human Rights Board to interfere. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later on tweeted to have left the country for Poland. Subsequently, he plans to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then to fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, the founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their Minsk offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers has been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government. In response to this, company workers have formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The founder, the head of company as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk, around 5:00 PM, again, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two solid hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not having interfered. According to the calculations of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September. 95 of them were charged with administrative misconduct. 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
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On 2 September the journalists detained the previous day were tried and fined in accordance with the administrative code of Belarus. That decision was met with crowds in solidarity with the journalists outside the State courthouse. The remaining three members of the Coordination Council were brought up for questioning. Over a thousand railroad workers have written a direct address to their corporation, asking for another elections to be held and Lukashenko ousted from his presidential position. Ignoring contract termination warnings, some of them also went on strike that day. A similar address came out of the Grodno meat-processing factory, where over 800 workers signed a letter of protest directed at Lukashenko. The Belarus State University Lyceum published a statement on their website condemning violence, injustice and electoral fraud coming from Lukashenko's government. They also urged major institutions to close and go on strike, suggesting that "they cannot arrest all of us, most of us". The Mozyr Oil Refinery direction has decided to close its main building after receiving a letter signed by 1200 personnel concerned about police brutality in the region. The same address also had similar goals brought up, including re-election and Lukashenko's resignation. That letter follows another one which was given to MOR's administration last week, but has never been heard from.
Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, held a meeting with his equals from Belarus (Vladimir Makey) and Ukraine (Dmytro Kuleba), where they discussed the current situation of Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by the Ukrainian government. Kuleba retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine has no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asking the European Human Rights Board to interfere. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later on tweeted to have left the country for Poland. Subsequently, he plans to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then to fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, the founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their Minsk offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers has been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government. In response to this, company workers have formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The founder, the head of company as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk around 17:00, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two solid hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not having interfered. According to the calculations of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September. 95 of them were charged with administrative misconduct while 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
|
|
| 976503515 |
2020-09-03T09:11:01Z |
242392(-17) |
13558(-5) |
590(0) |
|
On 14 August, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya claimed that she had received 60–70% of the vote and announced the creation of the Coordination Council, with membership applications open to all Belarusians who agreed that the election had been falsified.
|
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya received 60–70% of the actual vote and announced the creation of the Coordination Council, with membership applications open to all Belarusians who agreed that the "official" election had been falsified.
|
|
| 976512357 |
2020-09-03T10:38:00Z |
242392(0) |
13558(0) |
590(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976520912 |
2020-09-03T11:58:35Z |
242389(-3) |
13556(-2) |
590(0) |
|
On 2 September the journalists detained the previous day were tried and fined in accordance with the administrative code of Belarus. That decision was met with crowds in solidarity with the journalists outside the State courthouse. The remaining three members of the Coordination Council were brought up for questioning. Over a thousand railroad workers have written a direct address to their corporation, asking for another elections to be held and Lukashenko ousted from his presidential position. Ignoring contract termination warnings, some of them also went on strike that day. A similar address came out of the Grodno meat-processing factory, where over 800 workers signed a letter of protest directed at Lukashenko. The Belarus State University Lyceum published a statement on their website condemning violence, injustice and electoral fraud coming from Lukashenko's government. They also urged major institutions to close and go on strike, suggesting that "they cannot arrest all of us, most of us". The Mozyr Oil Refinery direction has decided to close its main building after receiving a letter signed by 1200 personnel concerned about police brutality in the region. The same address also had similar goals brought up, including re-election and Lukashenko's resignation. That letter follows another one which was given to MOR's administration last week, but has never been heard from.
Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, held a meeting with his equals from Belarus (Vladimir Makey) and Ukraine (Dmytro Kuleba), where they discussed the current situation of Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by the Ukrainian government. Kuleba retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine has no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asking the European Human Rights Board to interfere. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later on tweeted to have left the country for Poland. Subsequently, he plans to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then to fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, the founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their Minsk offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers has been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government. In response to this, company workers have formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The founder, the head of company as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk around 17:00, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two solid hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not having interfered. According to the calculations of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September. 95 of them were charged with administrative misconduct while 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
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On 2 September, the journalists detained the previous day were tried and fined in accordance with the administrative code of Belarus. That decision was met with crowds in solidarity with the journalists outside the State courthouse. The remaining three members of the Coordination Council were brought up for questioning. Over a thousand railroad workers wrote a direct address to their corporation, asking for another elections to be held and Lukashenko ousted from his presidential position. Ignoring contract termination warnings, some of them also went on strike that day. A similar address came out of the Grodno meat-processing factory, where over 800 workers signed a letter of protest directed at Lukashenko. The Belarus State University Lyceum published a statement on their website condemning violence, injustice and electoral fraud coming from Lukashenko's government. They also urged major institutions to close and go on strike, suggesting that "they cannot arrest all of us, most of us". The Mozyr Oil Refinery direction decided to close its main building after receiving a letter signed by 1200 personnel concerned about police brutality in the region. The same address also had similar goals brought up, including re-election and Lukashenko's resignation. That letter follows another one which was given to MOR's administration last week, but has never been heard from.[citation needed]
Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, held a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart, Vladimir Makei, where they discussed the current situation of Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by the Ukrainian government. Dmitry Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine had no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike the Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asking the European Human Rights Board to interfere. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later on tweeted to have left the country for Poland. He planed to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then to fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, the founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their Minsk offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers had been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government. In response to this, company workers formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The founder, the head of company as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk around 17:00, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two solid hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not having interfered. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September. 95 of them were charged with administrative misconduct while 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
|
|
| 976521043 |
2020-09-03T11:59:39Z |
242388(-1) |
13557(1) |
590(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
On 2 September, the journalists detained the previous day were tried and fined in accordance with the administrative code of Belarus. That decision was met with crowds in solidarity with the journalists outside the State courthouse. The remaining three members of the Coordination Council were brought up for questioning. Over a thousand railroad workers wrote a direct address to their corporation, asking for another elections to be held and Lukashenko ousted from his presidential position. Ignoring contract termination warnings, some of them also went on strike that day. A similar address came out of the Grodno meat-processing factory, where over 800 workers signed a letter of protest directed at Lukashenko. The Belarus State University Lyceum published a statement on their website condemning violence, injustice and electoral fraud coming from Lukashenko's government. They also urged major institutions to close and go on strike, suggesting that "they cannot arrest all of us, most of us". The Mozyr Oil Refinery direction decided to close its main building after receiving a letter signed by 1200 personnel concerned about police brutality in the region. The same address also had similar goals brought up, including re-election and Lukashenko's resignation. That letter follows another one which was given to MOR's administration last week, but has never been heard from.[citation needed]
Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, held a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart, Vladimir Makei, where they discussed the current situation of Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by the Ukrainian government. Dmitry Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine had no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike the Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asking the European Human Rights Board to interfere. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later on tweeted to have left the country for Poland. He planed to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then to fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, the founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their Minsk offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers had been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government. In response to this, company workers formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The founder, the head of company as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk around 17:00, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two solid hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not having interfered. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September. 95 of them were charged with administrative misconduct while 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
|
On 2 September, the journalists detained the previous day were tried and fined in accordance with the administrative code of Belarus. That decision was met with crowds in solidarity with the journalists outside the State courthouse. The remaining three members of the Coordination Council were brought up for questioning. Over a thousand railroad workers wrote a direct address to their corporation, asking for another elections to be held and Lukashenko ousted from his presidential position. Ignoring contract termination warnings, some of them also went on strike that day. A similar address came out of the Grodno meat-processing factory, where over 800 workers signed a letter of protest directed at Lukashenko. The Belarus State University Lyceum published a statement on their website condemning violence, injustice and electoral fraud coming from Lukashenko's government. They also urged major institutions to close and go on strike, suggesting that "they cannot arrest all of us, most of us". The Mozyr Oil Refinery direction decided to close its main building after receiving a letter signed by 1200 personnel concerned about police brutality in the region. The same address also had similar goals brought up, including re-election and Lukashenko's resignation. That letter follows another one which was given to MOR's administration last week, but has never been heard from.[citation needed] Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, held a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart, Vladimir Makei, where they discussed the current situation of Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by the Ukrainian government. Dmitry Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine had no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike the Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asking the European Human Rights Board to interfere. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later on tweeted to have left the country for Poland. He planed to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then to fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, the founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their Minsk offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers had been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government. In response to this, company workers formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The founder, the head of company as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk around 17:00, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two solid hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not having interfered. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September. 95 of them were charged with administrative misconduct while 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
|
|
| 976523475 |
2020-09-03T12:20:27Z |
242408(20) |
13557(0) |
590(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976543563 |
2020-09-03T15:01:16Z |
242413(5) |
13558(1) |
590(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
On 2 September, the journalists detained the previous day were tried and fined in accordance with the administrative code of Belarus. That decision was met with crowds in solidarity with the journalists outside the State courthouse. The remaining three members of the Coordination Council were brought up for questioning. Over a thousand railroad workers wrote a direct address to their corporation, asking for another elections to be held and Lukashenko ousted from his presidential position. Ignoring contract termination warnings, some of them also went on strike that day. A similar address came out of the Grodno meat-processing factory, where over 800 workers signed a letter of protest directed at Lukashenko. The Belarus State University Lyceum published a statement on their website condemning violence, injustice and electoral fraud coming from Lukashenko's government. They also urged major institutions to close and go on strike, suggesting that "they cannot arrest all of us, most of us". The Mozyr Oil Refinery direction decided to close its main building after receiving a letter signed by 1200 personnel concerned about police brutality in the region. The same address also had similar goals brought up, including re-election and Lukashenko's resignation. That letter follows another one which was given to MOR's administration last week, but has never been heard from.[citation needed] Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, held a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart, Vladimir Makei, where they discussed the current situation of Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by the Ukrainian government. Dmitry Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine had no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike the Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asking the European Human Rights Board to interfere. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later on tweeted to have left the country for Poland. He planed to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then to fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, the founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their Minsk offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers had been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government. In response to this, company workers formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The founder, the head of company as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk around 17:00, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two solid hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not having interfered. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September. 95 of them were charged with administrative misconduct while 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
|
On 2 September, the journalists detained the previous day were tried and fined in accordance with the administrative code of Belarus. That decision was met with crowds in solidarity with the journalists outside the State courthouse. The remaining three members of the Coordination Council were brought up for questioning. Over a thousand railroad workers wrote a direct address to their corporation, asking for another elections to be held and Lukashenko ousted from his presidential position. Ignoring contract termination warnings, some of them also went on strike that day. A similar address came out of the Grodno meat-processing factory, where over 800 workers signed a letter of protest directed at Lukashenko. The Belarus State University Lyceum published a statement on their website condemning violence, injustice and electoral fraud coming from Lukashenko's government. They also urged major institutions to close and go on strike, suggesting that "they cannot arrest all of us, most of us". The Mozyr Oil Refinery direction decided to close its main building after receiving a letter signed by 1200 personnel concerned about police brutality in the region. The same address also had similar goals brought up, including re-election and Lukashenko's resignation. That letter follows another one which was given to MOR's administration last week, but has never been heard from.[citation needed] Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, held a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart, Vladimir Makei, where they discussed the current situation of Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by the Ukrainian government. Dmitry Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine had no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike the Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asking the European Human Rights Board to intervene. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later on tweeted to have left the country for Poland. He planed to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then to fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, the founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their Minsk offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers had been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government. In response to this, company workers formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The founder, the head of company as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk around 17:00, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two solid hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not having interfered. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September with 95 of them being charged with administrative misconduct while 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
|
|
| 976579295 |
2020-09-03T19:13:02Z |
242401(-12) |
13558(0) |
589(-1) |
|
|
|
|
| 976580365 |
2020-09-03T19:21:28Z |
242975(574) |
13558(0) |
590(1) |
|
|
|
|
| 976580486 |
2020-09-03T19:22:37Z |
243285(310) |
13558(0) |
591(1) |
|
|
|
|
| 976586164 |
2020-09-03T20:05:33Z |
242401(-884) |
13558(0) |
589(-2) |
|
|
|
|
| 976586300 |
2020-09-03T20:06:41Z |
242402(1) |
13558(0) |
589(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976601746 |
2020-09-03T22:10:07Z |
242403(1) |
13558(0) |
589(0) |
|
On 2 September, the journalists detained the previous day were tried and fined in accordance with the administrative code of Belarus. That decision was met with crowds in solidarity with the journalists outside the State courthouse. The remaining three members of the Coordination Council were brought up for questioning. Over a thousand railroad workers wrote a direct address to their corporation, asking for another elections to be held and Lukashenko ousted from his presidential position. Ignoring contract termination warnings, some of them also went on strike that day. A similar address came out of the Grodno meat-processing factory, where over 800 workers signed a letter of protest directed at Lukashenko. The Belarus State University Lyceum published a statement on their website condemning violence, injustice and electoral fraud coming from Lukashenko's government. They also urged major institutions to close and go on strike, suggesting that "they cannot arrest all of us, most of us". The Mozyr Oil Refinery direction decided to close its main building after receiving a letter signed by 1200 personnel concerned about police brutality in the region. The same address also had similar goals brought up, including re-election and Lukashenko's resignation. That letter follows another one which was given to MOR's administration last week, but has never been heard from.[citation needed] Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, held a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart, Vladimir Makei, where they discussed the current situation of Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by the Ukrainian government. Dmitry Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine had no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike the Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asking the European Human Rights Board to intervene. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later on tweeted to have left the country for Poland. He planed to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then to fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, the founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their Minsk offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers had been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government. In response to this, company workers formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The founder, the head of company as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk around 17:00, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two solid hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not having interfered. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September with 95 of them being charged with administrative misconduct while 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
|
On 2 September, the journalists detained the previous day were tried and fined in accordance with the administrative code of Belarus. That decision was met with crowds in solidarity with the journalists outside the State courthouse. The remaining three members of the Coordination Council were brought up for questioning. Over a thousand railroad workers wrote a direct address to their corporation, asking for another elections to be held and Lukashenko ousted from his presidential position. Ignoring contract termination warnings, some of them also went on strike that day. A similar address came out of the Grodno meat-processing factory, where over 800 workers signed a letter of protest directed at Lukashenko. The Belarus State University Lyceum published a statement on their website condemning violence, injustice and electoral fraud coming from Lukashenko's government. They also urged major institutions to close and go on strike, suggesting that "they cannot arrest all of us, most of us". The Mozyr Oil Refinery direction decided to close its main building after receiving a letter signed by 1200 personnel concerned about police brutality in the region. The same address also had similar goals brought up, including re-election and Lukashenko's resignation. That letter follows another one which was given to MOR's administration last week, but has never been heard from.[citation needed] Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, held a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart, Vladimir Makei, where they discussed the current situation in Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by the Ukrainian government. Dmitry Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine had no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike the Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asking the European Human Rights Board to intervene. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later on tweeted to have left the country for Poland. He planed to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then to fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, a co-founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their Minsk offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers had been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government. In response to this, company workers formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The founder, the head of company as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk around 17:00, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two solid hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not having interfered. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September with 95 of them being charged with administrative misconduct while 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
|
|
| 976605679 |
2020-09-03T22:46:37Z |
242384(-19) |
13555(-3) |
589(0) |
|
On 2 September, the journalists detained the previous day were tried and fined in accordance with the administrative code of Belarus. That decision was met with crowds in solidarity with the journalists outside the State courthouse. The remaining three members of the Coordination Council were brought up for questioning. Over a thousand railroad workers wrote a direct address to their corporation, asking for another elections to be held and Lukashenko ousted from his presidential position. Ignoring contract termination warnings, some of them also went on strike that day. A similar address came out of the Grodno meat-processing factory, where over 800 workers signed a letter of protest directed at Lukashenko. The Belarus State University Lyceum published a statement on their website condemning violence, injustice and electoral fraud coming from Lukashenko's government. They also urged major institutions to close and go on strike, suggesting that "they cannot arrest all of us, most of us". The Mozyr Oil Refinery direction decided to close its main building after receiving a letter signed by 1200 personnel concerned about police brutality in the region. The same address also had similar goals brought up, including re-election and Lukashenko's resignation. That letter follows another one which was given to MOR's administration last week, but has never been heard from.[citation needed] Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, held a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart, Vladimir Makei, where they discussed the current situation in Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by the Ukrainian government. Dmitry Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine had no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike the Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asking the European Human Rights Board to intervene. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later on tweeted to have left the country for Poland. He planed to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then to fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, a co-founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their Minsk offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers had been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government. In response to this, company workers formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The founder, the head of company as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk around 17:00, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two solid hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not having interfered. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September with 95 of them being charged with administrative misconduct while 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
|
On 2 September, the journalists detained the previous day were tried and fined in accordance with the administrative code of Belarus. That decision was met with crowds in solidarity with the journalists outside the State courthouse. The remaining three members of the Coordination Council were brought up for questioning. Over a thousand railroad workers wrote a direct address to their corporation, asking for another elections to be held and Lukashenko ousted from his presidential position. Ignoring contract termination warnings, some of them also went on strike that day. A similar address came out of the Grodno meat-processing factory, where over 800 workers signed a letter of protest directed at Lukashenko. The Belarus State University Lyceum published a statement on their website condemning violence, injustice and electoral fraud coming from Lukashenko's government. They also urged major institutions to close and go on strike, suggesting that "they cannot arrest all of us, most of us". The Mozyr Oil Refinery direction decided to close its main building after receiving a letter signed by 1200 personnel concerned about police brutality in the region. The same address also had similar goals brought up, including re-election and Lukashenko's resignation. That letter follows another one which was given to MOR's administration last week, but has never been heard from.[citation needed] Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, held a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart, Vladimir Makei, where they discussed the current situation in Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by the Ukrainian government. Dmitry Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine had no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike the Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asking the European Human Rights Board to intervene. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later on tweeted to have left the country for Poland. He planed to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then to fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, a co-founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their Minsk offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers had been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government. In response to this, company workers formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The head of company as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk around 17:00, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not having interfered. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September with 95 of them being charged with administrative misconduct while 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
|
|
| 976606352 |
2020-09-03T22:52:26Z |
242381(-3) |
13554(-1) |
589(0) |
|
On 2 September, the journalists detained the previous day were tried and fined in accordance with the administrative code of Belarus. That decision was met with crowds in solidarity with the journalists outside the State courthouse. The remaining three members of the Coordination Council were brought up for questioning. Over a thousand railroad workers wrote a direct address to their corporation, asking for another elections to be held and Lukashenko ousted from his presidential position. Ignoring contract termination warnings, some of them also went on strike that day. A similar address came out of the Grodno meat-processing factory, where over 800 workers signed a letter of protest directed at Lukashenko. The Belarus State University Lyceum published a statement on their website condemning violence, injustice and electoral fraud coming from Lukashenko's government. They also urged major institutions to close and go on strike, suggesting that "they cannot arrest all of us, most of us". The Mozyr Oil Refinery direction decided to close its main building after receiving a letter signed by 1200 personnel concerned about police brutality in the region. The same address also had similar goals brought up, including re-election and Lukashenko's resignation. That letter follows another one which was given to MOR's administration last week, but has never been heard from.[citation needed] Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, held a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart, Vladimir Makei, where they discussed the current situation in Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by the Ukrainian government. Dmitry Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine had no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike the Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asking the European Human Rights Board to intervene. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later on tweeted to have left the country for Poland. He planed to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then to fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, a co-founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their Minsk offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers had been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government. In response to this, company workers formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The head of company as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk around 17:00, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not having interfered. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September with 95 of them being charged with administrative misconduct while 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
|
On 2 September, the journalists detained the previous day were tried and fined in accordance with the administrative code of Belarus. That decision was met with crowds in solidarity with the journalists outside the State courthouse. The remaining three members of the Coordination Council were brought up for questioning. Over a thousand railroad workers wrote a direct address to their corporation, asking for another elections to be held and Lukashenko ousted from his presidential position. Ignoring contract termination warnings, some of them also went on strike that day. A similar address came out of the Grodno meat-processing factory, where over 800 workers signed a letter of protest directed at Lukashenko. The Belarus State University Lyceum published a statement on their website condemning violence, injustice and electoral fraud coming from Lukashenko's government. They also urged major institutions to close and go on strike, suggesting that "they cannot arrest all of us, most of us". The Mozyr Oil Refinery direction decided to close its main building after receiving a letter signed by 1200 personnel concerned about police brutality in the region. The same address also had similar goals brought up, including re-election and Lukashenko's resignation. That letter follows another one which was given to MOR's administration last week, but has never been heard from.[citation needed] Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, held a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart, Vladimir Makei, where they discussed the current situation in Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by the Ukrainian government. Dmitry Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine had no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike the Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asking the European Human Rights Board to intervene. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later on tweeted to have left the country for Poland. He planed to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then to fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, a co-founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their Minsk offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers had been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government. In response to this, company workers formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The two founders as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk around 17:00, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not having interfered. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September with 95 of them being charged with administrative misconduct while 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
|
|
| 976629270 |
2020-09-04T02:14:43Z |
246062(3681) |
13832(278) |
594(5) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
|
On 3 September, in the morning, near the spontaneous memorial at the site of the death of Alexander Taraikovsky near the Pushkinskaya metro station, utilities, under the supervision of police officers and law enforcement officers in civilian clothes, have covered the inscription "Let's not forget" with salt and removed all the flowers put there by civilians the previous night. Residents of the area almost immediately began to rake, sweep and collect salt in garbage bags, ignoring the police. People were also seen bringing flowers to the memorial again. By 4:00 pm, all the salt was removed, and the area with the inscription was washed. TUT.by webnews reporter Vadim Zamirovsky was detained when he returned to the memorial twice after being asked to leave by police. Sergey Dylevsky was sentenced to 15 days of imprisonment in ties with organizing the Coordination Council. Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins announced that at a government meeting, a letter was addressed to the International Ice Hockey Federation with an appeal to move the 2021 Ice Hockey World Championship from Belarus to another country. More than 50 employees of independent media (BelaPAN, TUT.BY, Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, Tribuna, Onliner, Euroradio, Radio Liberty and others) came to the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to express solidarity with the detained colleagues. Despite all the requests, neither the Minister Yuri Karaev, nor his deputy, did not come out toward the journalists. At the request of law enforcement officers the journalists crossed the street and marched down the Gorodskoy Val. Soon thereafter, law enforcement officers in civilian clothes drove up in a car and seized TUT.by photographer Dmitry Brushko, taking him to the Oktyabrsky district police department.
|
|
| 976643149 |
2020-09-04T04:20:25Z |
246060(-2) |
13832(0) |
594(0) |
Election day |
In the middle of the day, the Internet in Belarus was partially blocked. Government officials claimed that the reason was a heavy denial-of-service attack originating from outside Belarus. On the other hand, independent IT specialists claimed that the Belarusian state Internet monopolist Beltelecom and affiliated state agencies deliberately used deep packet inspection (DPI) technology or traffic shaping, and that issues with the filtering equipment used may have been the cause. Telegram was the only working instant messaging application.
|
In the middle of the day, the Internet in Belarus was partially blocked. Government officials claimed that the reason was a heavy denial-of-service attack originating from outside Belarus. On the other hand, independent IT specialists claimed that the Belarusian state Internet monopoly Beltelecom and affiliated state agencies deliberately used deep packet inspection (DPI) technology or traffic shaping, and that issues with the filtering equipment used may have been the cause. Telegram was the only working instant messaging application.
|
|
| 976651591 |
2020-09-04T05:49:10Z |
246062(2) |
13832(0) |
594(0) |
|
The Belarusian Telegraph Agency issued a misleading video purporting to show Belarusian protesters being violent. Pictures from Belarus were mixed with pictures from the 2019 protests in Catalonia. Demonstrations supporting Lukashenko took place in Mogilev, Gomel, and Khotsimsk. During the pro-Lukashenko rally in Mogliev, a helicopter flew over the attendees with the state flag, while a large state flag was blown off the local government building where it was hung. In Mogilev, one of the activists marching near the executive committee building was deliberately injured by a hit-and-run driver, with no medically significant outcome. In a statement made on 18 August 2020, Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko stated that, "to date, all enterprises in the real sector of the economy are operating normally, conveyers are not stopped anywhere."
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The Belarusian Telegraph Agency issued a misleading video purporting to show Belarusian protesters being violent. Pictures from Belarus were mixed with pictures from the 2019 protests in Catalonia. Demonstrations supporting Lukashenko took place in Mogilev, Gomel, and Khotsimsk. During the pro-Lukashenko rally in Mogliev, a helicopter flew over the attendees with the state flag, while a large state flag was blown off the local government building where it was hung. In Mogilev, one of the activists marching near the executive committee building was deliberately injured by a hit-and-run driver, with no medically significant outcome. In a statement made on 18 August 2020, Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko stated that, "to date, all enterprises in the real sector of the economy are operating normally, conveyors are not stopped anywhere."
|
|
| 976678645 |
2020-09-04T10:17:22Z |
246063(1) |
13831(-1) |
594(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in regional capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a road block. At 16:30, there were reports of "tanks" moving through the streets of Minsk (which later turned out to be several BTR-80 military vehicles). Shortly before 17:00, three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had appeared at the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than disperse, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00, most of the crowd had moved back towards the city center, partly due to a hailstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to remain at State Flag Square, outside the Castle shopping center and in the streets around the city center, where people continued to chant anti-Lukashenko slogans. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released a photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun (presumably from his "standoff" a week earlier). By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk, Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in regional capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a roadblock. At 16:30, there were reports of "tanks" moving through the streets of Minsk (which later turned out to be several BTR-80 military vehicles). Shortly before 17:00, three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had appeared at the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than dispersing, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00, most of the crowd had moved back towards the city center, partly due to a hailstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to remain at State Flag Square, outside the Castle shopping center and in the streets around the city center, where people continued to chant anti-Lukashenko slogans. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released a photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun (presumably from his "standoff" a week earlier). By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk, Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
|
|
| 976679250 |
2020-09-04T10:23:15Z |
246065(2) |
13831(0) |
594(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
On 2 September, the journalists detained the previous day were tried and fined in accordance with the administrative code of Belarus. That decision was met with crowds in solidarity with the journalists outside the State courthouse. The remaining three members of the Coordination Council were brought up for questioning. Over a thousand railroad workers wrote a direct address to their corporation, asking for another elections to be held and Lukashenko ousted from his presidential position. Ignoring contract termination warnings, some of them also went on strike that day. A similar address came out of the Grodno meat-processing factory, where over 800 workers signed a letter of protest directed at Lukashenko. The Belarus State University Lyceum published a statement on their website condemning violence, injustice and electoral fraud coming from Lukashenko's government. They also urged major institutions to close and go on strike, suggesting that "they cannot arrest all of us, most of us". The Mozyr Oil Refinery direction decided to close its main building after receiving a letter signed by 1200 personnel concerned about police brutality in the region. The same address also had similar goals brought up, including re-election and Lukashenko's resignation. That letter follows another one which was given to MOR's administration last week, but has never been heard from.[citation needed] Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, held a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart, Vladimir Makei, where they discussed the current situation in Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by the Ukrainian government. Dmitry Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine had no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike the Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asking the European Human Rights Board to intervene. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later on tweeted to have left the country for Poland. He planed to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then to fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, a co-founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their Minsk offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers had been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government. In response to this, company workers formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The two founders as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk around 17:00, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not having interfered. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September with 95 of them being charged with administrative misconduct while 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
On 3 September, in the morning, near the spontaneous memorial at the site of the death of Alexander Taraikovsky near the Pushkinskaya metro station, utilities, under the supervision of police officers and law enforcement officers in civilian clothes, have covered the inscription "Let's not forget" with salt and removed all the flowers put there by civilians the previous night. Residents of the area almost immediately began to rake, sweep and collect salt in garbage bags, ignoring the police. People were also seen bringing flowers to the memorial again. By 4:00 pm, all the salt was removed, and the area with the inscription was washed. TUT.by webnews reporter Vadim Zamirovsky was detained when he returned to the memorial twice after being asked to leave by police. Sergey Dylevsky was sentenced to 15 days of imprisonment in ties with organizing the Coordination Council. Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins announced that at a government meeting, a letter was addressed to the International Ice Hockey Federation with an appeal to move the 2021 Ice Hockey World Championship from Belarus to another country. More than 50 employees of independent media (BelaPAN, TUT.BY, Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, Tribuna, Onliner, Euroradio, Radio Liberty and others) came to the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to express solidarity with the detained colleagues. Despite all the requests, neither the Minister Yuri Karaev, nor his deputy, did not come out toward the journalists. At the request of law enforcement officers the journalists crossed the street and marched down the Gorodskoy Val. Soon thereafter, law enforcement officers in civilian clothes drove up in a car and seized TUT.by photographer Dmitry Brushko, taking him to the Oktyabrsky district police department.
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On 2 September, the journalists detained the previous day were tried and fined in accordance with the administrative code of Belarus. That decision was met with crowds in solidarity with the journalists outside the State courthouse. The remaining three members of the Coordination Council were brought up for questioning. Over a thousand railroad workers wrote a direct address to their corporation, asking for another elections to be held and Lukashenko ousted from his presidential position. Ignoring contract termination warnings, some of them also went on strike that day. A similar address came out of the Grodno meat-processing factory, where over 800 workers signed a letter of protest directed at Lukashenko. The Belarus State University Lyceum published a statement on their website condemning violence, injustice and electoral fraud coming from Lukashenko's government. They also urged major institutions to close and go on strike, suggesting that "they cannot arrest all of us, most of us". The Mozyr Oil Refinery direction decided to close its main building after receiving a letter signed by 1200 personnel concerned about police brutality in the region. The same address also had similar goals brought up, including re-election and Lukashenko's resignation. That letter follows another one which was given to MOR's administration last week, but has never been heard from.[citation needed] Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, held a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart, Vladimir Makei, where they discussed the current situation in Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by the Ukrainian government. Dmitry Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine had no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike the Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asked the European Human Rights Board to intervene. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later tweeted to have left the country for Poland. He planned to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then to fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, a co-founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their Minsk offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers had been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government. In response to this, company workers formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The two founders as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk around 17:00, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not having interfered. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September with 95 of them being charged with administrative misconduct while 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
On 3 September, in the morning, near the spontaneous memorial at the site of the death of Alexander Taraikovsky near the Pushkinskaya metro station, utilities, under the supervision of police officers and law enforcement officers in civilian clothes, have covered the inscription "Let's not forget" with salt and removed all the flowers put there by civilians the previous night. Residents of the area almost immediately began to rake, sweep and collect salt in garbage bags, ignoring the police. People were also seen bringing flowers to the memorial again. By 4:00 pm, all the salt was removed, and the area with the inscription was washed. TUT.by web news reporter Vadim Zamirovsky was detained when he returned to the memorial twice after being asked to leave by police. Sergey Dylevsky was sentenced to 15 days of imprisonment in ties with organizing the Coordination Council. Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins announced that at a government meeting, a letter was addressed to the International Ice Hockey Federation with an appeal to move the 2021 Ice Hockey World Championship from Belarus to another country. More than 50 employees of independent media (BelaPAN, TUT.BY, Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, Tribuna, Onliner, Euroradio, Radio Liberty and others) came to the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to express solidarity with the detained colleagues. Despite all the requests, neither the Minister Yuri Karaev, nor his deputy, did not come out toward the journalists. At the request of law enforcement officers the journalists crossed the street and marched down the Gorodskoy Val. Soon thereafter, law enforcement officers in civilian clothes drove up in a car and seized TUT.by photographer Dmitry Brushko, taking him to the Oktyabrsky district police department.
|
|
| 976680196 |
2020-09-04T10:30:58Z |
246079(14) |
13828(-3) |
594(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
On 2 September, the journalists detained the previous day were tried and fined in accordance with the administrative code of Belarus. That decision was met with crowds in solidarity with the journalists outside the State courthouse. The remaining three members of the Coordination Council were brought up for questioning. Over a thousand railroad workers wrote a direct address to their corporation, asking for another elections to be held and Lukashenko ousted from his presidential position. Ignoring contract termination warnings, some of them also went on strike that day. A similar address came out of the Grodno meat-processing factory, where over 800 workers signed a letter of protest directed at Lukashenko. The Belarus State University Lyceum published a statement on their website condemning violence, injustice and electoral fraud coming from Lukashenko's government. They also urged major institutions to close and go on strike, suggesting that "they cannot arrest all of us, most of us". The Mozyr Oil Refinery direction decided to close its main building after receiving a letter signed by 1200 personnel concerned about police brutality in the region. The same address also had similar goals brought up, including re-election and Lukashenko's resignation. That letter follows another one which was given to MOR's administration last week, but has never been heard from.[citation needed] Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, held a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart, Vladimir Makei, where they discussed the current situation in Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by the Ukrainian government. Dmitry Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine had no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike the Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asked the European Human Rights Board to intervene. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later tweeted to have left the country for Poland. He planned to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then to fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, a co-founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their Minsk offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers had been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government. In response to this, company workers formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The two founders as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk around 17:00, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not having interfered. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September with 95 of them being charged with administrative misconduct while 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
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On 2 September, the journalists detained the previous day were tried and fined in accordance with the administrative code of Belarus. That decision was met with crowds in solidarity with the journalists outside the State courthouse. The remaining three members of the Coordination Council were brought up for questioning. Over a thousand railroad workers wrote a direct address to their corporation, asking for another elections to be held and Lukashenko ousted from his presidential position. Ignoring contract termination warnings, some of them also went on strike that day. A similar address came out of the Grodno meat-processing factory, where over 800 workers signed a letter of protest directed at Lukashenko. The Belarus State University Lyceum published a statement on their website condemning violence, injustice and electoral fraud coming from Lukashenko's government. They also urged major institutions to close and go on strike, suggesting that "they cannot arrest all of us, most of us". The Mozyr Oil Refinery director decided to close its main building after receiving a letter signed by 1,200 personnel concerned about police brutality in the region. The same address also had similar goals brought up, including re-election and Lukashenko's resignation. That letter follows another one which was given to MOR's administration last week, but has never been heard from.[citation needed] Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, held a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart, Vladimir Makei, where they discussed the current situation in Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by the Ukrainian government. Dmitry Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine had no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike the Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asked the European Human Rights Board to intervene. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later tweeted to have left the country for Poland. He planned to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then to fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, a co-founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their Minsk offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers had been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government. In response to this, company workers formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The two founders as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk around 17:00, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not interfering. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September, with 95 being charged with administrative misconduct while 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
|
|
| 976686257 |
2020-09-04T11:27:33Z |
246003(-76) |
13812(-16) |
594(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
On 3 September, in the morning, near the spontaneous memorial at the site of the death of Alexander Taraikovsky near the Pushkinskaya metro station, utilities, under the supervision of police officers and law enforcement officers in civilian clothes, have covered the inscription "Let's not forget" with salt and removed all the flowers put there by civilians the previous night. Residents of the area almost immediately began to rake, sweep and collect salt in garbage bags, ignoring the police. People were also seen bringing flowers to the memorial again. By 4:00 pm, all the salt was removed, and the area with the inscription was washed. TUT.by web news reporter Vadim Zamirovsky was detained when he returned to the memorial twice after being asked to leave by police. Sergey Dylevsky was sentenced to 15 days of imprisonment in ties with organizing the Coordination Council. Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins announced that at a government meeting, a letter was addressed to the International Ice Hockey Federation with an appeal to move the 2021 Ice Hockey World Championship from Belarus to another country. More than 50 employees of independent media (BelaPAN, TUT.BY, Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, Tribuna, Onliner, Euroradio, Radio Liberty and others) came to the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to express solidarity with the detained colleagues. Despite all the requests, neither the Minister Yuri Karaev, nor his deputy, did not come out toward the journalists. At the request of law enforcement officers the journalists crossed the street and marched down the Gorodskoy Val. Soon thereafter, law enforcement officers in civilian clothes drove up in a car and seized TUT.by photographer Dmitry Brushko, taking him to the Oktyabrsky district police department.
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On 3 September, in the morning, near the spontaneous memorial at the site of the death of Alexander Taraikovsky near the Pushkinskaya metro station, utilities, under the supervision of police officers and law enforcement officers in civilian clothes, have covered the inscription "We will not forget" with salt and removed all the flowers put there by civilians the previous night. Residents of the area almost immediately began to rake, sweep and collect salt in garbage bags, ignoring the police. People were also seen bringing flowers to the memorial again. By 4:00 pm, all the salt was removed, and the area with the inscription was washed. A TUT.by photojournalist, Vadim Zamirovsky, was detained when he returned to the memorial twice after being asked to leave by police. Sergey Dylevsky was sentenced to 15 days of imprisonment. Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins announced that, at a government meeting, a letter was addressed to the International Ice Hockey Federation with an appeal to move the 2021 Ice Hockey World Championship from Belarus to another country. More than 50 employees of independent media (BelaPAN, TUT.BY, Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, Tribuna, Onliner, Euroradio, Radio Liberty and others) came to the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to express solidarity with the detained colleagues. Despite all the requests, neither the Minister Yuri Karaev, nor his deputy, did not come out. At the request of law enforcement officers, the journalists crossed the street and marched down the Gorodskoy Val. Soon thereafter, law enforcement officers in civilian detained a TUT.by photographer, Dmitry Brushko, taking him to the Oktyabrsky district police department.
|
|
| 976693522 |
2020-09-04T12:32:22Z |
246024(21) |
13812(0) |
594(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976694432 |
2020-09-04T12:40:01Z |
246083(59) |
13812(0) |
594(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976705937 |
2020-09-04T14:12:49Z |
246073(-10) |
13809(-3) |
594(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
On 3 September, in the morning, near the spontaneous memorial at the site of the death of Alexander Taraikovsky near the Pushkinskaya metro station, utilities, under the supervision of police officers and law enforcement officers in civilian clothes, have covered the inscription "We will not forget" with salt and removed all the flowers put there by civilians the previous night. Residents of the area almost immediately began to rake, sweep and collect salt in garbage bags, ignoring the police. People were also seen bringing flowers to the memorial again. By 4:00 pm, all the salt was removed, and the area with the inscription was washed. A TUT.by photojournalist, Vadim Zamirovsky, was detained when he returned to the memorial twice after being asked to leave by police. Sergey Dylevsky was sentenced to 15 days of imprisonment. Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins announced that, at a government meeting, a letter was addressed to the International Ice Hockey Federation with an appeal to move the 2021 Ice Hockey World Championship from Belarus to another country. More than 50 employees of independent media (BelaPAN, TUT.BY, Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, Tribuna, Onliner, Euroradio, Radio Liberty and others) came to the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to express solidarity with the detained colleagues. Despite all the requests, neither the Minister Yuri Karaev, nor his deputy, did not come out. At the request of law enforcement officers, the journalists crossed the street and marched down the Gorodskoy Val. Soon thereafter, law enforcement officers in civilian detained a TUT.by photographer, Dmitry Brushko, taking him to the Oktyabrsky district police department.
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On 3 September, in the morning, near the spontaneous memorial at the site of the death of Alexander Taraikovsky near the Pushkinskaya metro station, utilities, under the supervision of police officers and law enforcement officers in civilian clothes, have covered the inscription "We will not forget" with salt and removed all the flowers put there by civilians the previous night. Residents of the area almost immediately began to rake, sweep and collect salt in garbage bags, ignoring the police. People were also seen bringing flowers to the memorial again. By 4:00 pm, all the salt was removed, and the area with the inscription was washed. A TUT.by photojournalist, Vadim Zamirovsky, was detained when he returned to the memorial twice after being asked to leave by police. Sergey Dylevsky was sentenced to 15 days of imprisonment. Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins announced that, at a government meeting, a letter was addressed to the International Ice Hockey Federation with an appeal to move the 2021 Ice Hockey World Championship from Belarus to another country. More than 50 employees of independent media (BelaPAN, TUT.BY, Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, Tribuna, Onliner, Euroradio, Radio Liberty and others) came to the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to express solidarity with the detained colleagues. Despite their requests, neither the Minister Yuri Karaev, nor his deputy, came out. At the request of law enforcement officers, the journalists crossed the street and marched down the Gorodskoy Val. Soon thereafter, law enforcement officers in civilian detained a TUT.by photographer, Dmitry Brushko, taking him to the Oktyabrsky district police department.
|
|
| 976706384 |
2020-09-04T14:16:35Z |
244685(-1388) |
13624(-185) |
594(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
On 1 September, Knowledge Day in Belarus and Russia when most scholar institutions opened, several streets in downtown Minsk were blocked by protesters, and over a thousand students from various institutions gathered on major streets rallying towards the Independence Palace. Upon being refused entry by the military, students turned around and occupied the Independence Square. Two Euroradio journalists were detained on the spot. At least 20 students were detained by early afternoon in Minsk, charged with "organizing unsanctioned protests and rallies". Only a few were released hours later. Around 5:00 PM in Minsk, students occupied the Gorky square, shouting anti-Lukashenko slogans and waving posters made of white-red-white colors. At that time, at least 40 individuals were detained by local police.[citation needed] Vasily Senko, the University rector, came out toward the protesting students and urged them to disperse. Students followed suit, only to find out police forces were filming them, after which they have returned to their positions. As a result, about 10 journalists from different media sources were also detained on made-up charges of "instigating further conflict among the masses".[citation needed] In Mogilev and Kalinkavichy, some of the local protest leaders were detained by riot police. In Vitebsk, about 60 students who were marching on city streets were circled by police, young women were allowed to leave. Young men were beaten and those showing aggression were cuffed.[citation needed] In a meeting with his supporters in Baranavichy, Alexander Lukashenko explained that the catholic bishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was refused entry into Belarus due to "being tasked with certain things there". He reassured the people that Belarus would hinder sanctions from Baltic countries and mentioned the closure of borders in Brest and Grodno as a potential counteract to the sanctions. Finally, Lukashenko raised the question of a referendum on joining the Russian Federation, seemingly culminating the people's demand of constitutional reforms. He said he was open to negotiation only with the current government's representatives, not the "self-proclaimed" Coordination Council.[citation needed]
On 2 September, the journalists detained the previous day were tried and fined in accordance with the administrative code of Belarus. That decision was met with crowds in solidarity with the journalists outside the State courthouse. The remaining three members of the Coordination Council were brought up for questioning. Over a thousand railroad workers wrote a direct address to their corporation, asking for another elections to be held and Lukashenko ousted from his presidential position. Ignoring contract termination warnings, some of them also went on strike that day. A similar address came out of the Grodno meat-processing factory, where over 800 workers signed a letter of protest directed at Lukashenko. The Belarus State University Lyceum published a statement on their website condemning violence, injustice and electoral fraud coming from Lukashenko's government. They also urged major institutions to close and go on strike, suggesting that "they cannot arrest all of us, most of us". The Mozyr Oil Refinery director decided to close its main building after receiving a letter signed by 1,200 personnel concerned about police brutality in the region. The same address also had similar goals brought up, including re-election and Lukashenko's resignation. That letter follows another one which was given to MOR's administration last week, but has never been heard from.[citation needed] Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, held a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart, Vladimir Makei, where they discussed the current situation in Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by the Ukrainian government. Dmitry Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine had no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike the Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asked the European Human Rights Board to intervene. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later tweeted to have left the country for Poland. He planned to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then to fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, a co-founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their Minsk offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers had been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government. In response to this, company workers formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The two founders as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk around 17:00, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not interfering. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September, with 95 being charged with administrative misconduct while 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
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On 1 September, Knowledge Day in Belarus and Russia when most scholar institutions opened, several streets in downtown Minsk were blocked by protesters, and over a thousand students from various institutions gathered on major streets rallying towards the Independence Palace. Upon being refused entry by the military, students turned around and occupied the Independence Square. Two Euroradio journalists were detained on the spot. At least 20 students were detained by early afternoon in Minsk, charged with "organizing unsanctioned protests and rallies". Only a few were released hours later. In Mogilev and Kalinkavichy, some of the local protest leaders were detained by riot police. In a meeting with his supporters in Baranavichy, Alexander Lukashenko explained that the catholic bishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was refused entry into Belarus due to "being tasked with certain things there". He reassured the people that Belarus would hinder sanctions from Baltic countries and mentioned the closure of borders in Brest and Grodno as a potential counteract to the sanctions.
On 2 September, the journalists detained the previous day were tried and fined in accordance with the administrative code of Belarus. That decision was met with crowds in solidarity with the journalists outside the State courthouse. The remaining three members of the Coordination Council were brought up for questioning. Over a thousand railroad workers wrote a direct address to their corporation, asking for another elections to be held and Lukashenko ousted from his presidential position. Ignoring contract termination warnings, some of them also went on strike that day. A similar address came out of the Grodno meat-processing factory, where over 800 workers signed a letter of protest directed at Lukashenko. The Belarus State University Lyceum published a statement on their website condemning violence, injustice and electoral fraud coming from Lukashenko's government. They also urged major institutions to close and go on strike, suggesting that "they cannot arrest all of us, most of us". The Mozyr Oil Refinery director decided to close its main building after receiving a letter signed by 1,200 personnel concerned about police brutality in the region. The same address also had similar goals brought up, including re-election and Lukashenko's resignation. Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, held a meeting with his Belarusian counterpart, Vladimir Makei, where they discussed the current situation in Belarus. Lavrov urged Ukraine to investigate the presence of 200 trained extremists currently found in Belarus and allegedly sent there by the Ukrainian government. Dmitry Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, retorted by calling this statement "a fruit of psychological delirium" and affirmed that Ukraine had no current implication in Belarusian affairs, nor a planned one, unlike the Russian government. The Catholic Synod of Eastern Europe released a statement calling the entry denial of archbishop Kondrusiewicz "unacceptable" and asked the European Human Rights Board to intervene. One of the members of Coordination Council, Pavel Latushko, who was brought for questioning in the morning, later tweeted to have left the country for Poland. He planned to visit the economic forum in Warsaw, then to fly to Vilnius in order to speak with the Internal Ministry of Lithuania about what to do next. According to Mikita Mikado, a co-founder of startup IT company PandaDoc, their Minsk offices were raided and stormed by police the same day after one of the servers had been leaking inside data about protest organization despite internet censorship by the government. In response to this, company workers formed a chain of solidarity outside the building, singing Belarusian songs. The two founders as well as two programmers were detained following these events. In downtown Minsk around 17:00, young women and men started forming chains while dressed in white, bearing flowers and anti-Lukashenko posters. The crowd did not rally this time, however, they stood for two hours, then shouted "Thank you!" to nearby riot patrols for not interfering. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 128 individuals were detained on 1 September, with 95 being charged with administrative misconduct while 39 were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
|
|
| 976723730 |
2020-09-04T16:29:50Z |
244689(4) |
13624(0) |
594(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
On 3 September, in the morning, near the spontaneous memorial at the site of the death of Alexander Taraikovsky near the Pushkinskaya metro station, utilities, under the supervision of police officers and law enforcement officers in civilian clothes, have covered the inscription "We will not forget" with salt and removed all the flowers put there by civilians the previous night. Residents of the area almost immediately began to rake, sweep and collect salt in garbage bags, ignoring the police. People were also seen bringing flowers to the memorial again. By 4:00 pm, all the salt was removed, and the area with the inscription was washed. A TUT.by photojournalist, Vadim Zamirovsky, was detained when he returned to the memorial twice after being asked to leave by police. Sergey Dylevsky was sentenced to 15 days of imprisonment. Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins announced that, at a government meeting, a letter was addressed to the International Ice Hockey Federation with an appeal to move the 2021 Ice Hockey World Championship from Belarus to another country. More than 50 employees of independent media (BelaPAN, TUT.BY, Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, Tribuna, Onliner, Euroradio, Radio Liberty and others) came to the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to express solidarity with the detained colleagues. Despite their requests, neither the Minister Yuri Karaev, nor his deputy, came out. At the request of law enforcement officers, the journalists crossed the street and marched down the Gorodskoy Val. Soon thereafter, law enforcement officers in civilian detained a TUT.by photographer, Dmitry Brushko, taking him to the Oktyabrsky district police department.
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On 3 September, in the morning, near the spontaneous memorial at the site of the death of Alexander Taraikovsky near the Pushkinskaya metro station, utilities, under the supervision of police officers and law enforcement officers in civilian clothes, have covered the inscription "We will not forget" with salt and removed all the flowers put there by civilians the previous night. Residents of the area almost immediately began to rake, sweep and collect salt in garbage bags, ignoring the police. People were also seen bringing flowers to the memorial again. By 4:00 pm, all the salt was removed, and the area with the inscription was washed. A TUT.by photojournalist, Vadim Zamirovsky, was detained when he returned to the memorial twice after being asked to leave by police. Sergey Dylevsky was sentenced to 15 days of imprisonment. Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš announced that, at a government meeting, a letter was addressed to the International Ice Hockey Federation with an appeal to move the 2021 Ice Hockey World Championship from Belarus to another country. More than 50 employees of independent media (BelaPAN, TUT.BY, Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, Tribuna, Onliner, Euroradio, Radio Liberty and others) came to the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to express solidarity with the detained colleagues. Despite their requests, neither the Minister Yuri Karaev, nor his deputy, came out. At the request of law enforcement officers, the journalists crossed the street and marched down the Gorodskoy Val. Soon thereafter, law enforcement officers in civilian detained a TUT.by photographer, Dmitry Brushko, taking him to the Oktyabrsky district police department.
|
|
| 976741823 |
2020-09-04T18:32:53Z |
244691(2) |
13623(-1) |
594(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
On 3 September, in the morning, near the spontaneous memorial at the site of the death of Alexander Taraikovsky near the Pushkinskaya metro station, utilities, under the supervision of police officers and law enforcement officers in civilian clothes, have covered the inscription "We will not forget" with salt and removed all the flowers put there by civilians the previous night. Residents of the area almost immediately began to rake, sweep and collect salt in garbage bags, ignoring the police. People were also seen bringing flowers to the memorial again. By 4:00 pm, all the salt was removed, and the area with the inscription was washed. A TUT.by photojournalist, Vadim Zamirovsky, was detained when he returned to the memorial twice after being asked to leave by police. Sergey Dylevsky was sentenced to 15 days of imprisonment. Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš announced that, at a government meeting, a letter was addressed to the International Ice Hockey Federation with an appeal to move the 2021 Ice Hockey World Championship from Belarus to another country. More than 50 employees of independent media (BelaPAN, TUT.BY, Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, Tribuna, Onliner, Euroradio, Radio Liberty and others) came to the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to express solidarity with the detained colleagues. Despite their requests, neither the Minister Yuri Karaev, nor his deputy, came out. At the request of law enforcement officers, the journalists crossed the street and marched down the Gorodskoy Val. Soon thereafter, law enforcement officers in civilian detained a TUT.by photographer, Dmitry Brushko, taking him to the Oktyabrsky district police department.
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On 3 September, in the morning, near the spontaneous memorial at the site of the death of Alexander Taraikovsky near the Pushkinskaya metro station, utilities, under the supervision of police officers and law enforcement officers in civilian clothes, have covered the inscription "We will not forget" with salt and removed all the flowers put there by civilians the previous night. Residents of the area almost immediately began to rake, sweep and collect salt in garbage bags, ignoring the police. People were also seen bringing flowers to the memorial again. By 4:00 pm, all the salt was removed, and the area with the inscription was washed. A TUT.by photojournalist, Vadim Zamirovsky, was detained when he returned to the memorial twice after being asked to leave by police. Sergey Dylevsky was sentenced to 15 days of imprisonment. Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš announced that, at a government meeting, a letter was addressed to the International Ice Hockey Federation with an appeal to move the 2021 IIHF World Championship from Belarus to another country. More than 50 employees of independent media (BelaPAN, TUT.BY, Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, Tribuna, Onliner, Euroradio, Radio Liberty and others) came to the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to express solidarity with the detained colleagues. Despite their requests, neither the Minister Yuri Karaev, nor his deputy, came out. At the request of law enforcement officers, the journalists crossed the street and marched down the Gorodskoy Val. Soon thereafter, law enforcement officers in civilian detained a TUT.by photographer, Dmitry Brushko, taking him to the Oktyabrsky district police department.
|
|
| 976750518 |
2020-09-04T19:32:20Z |
244692(1) |
13623(0) |
594(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976750646 |
2020-09-04T19:33:34Z |
244693(1) |
13623(0) |
594(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976760784 |
2020-09-04T20:50:53Z |
244694(1) |
13623(0) |
594(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in regional capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costume brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a roadblock. At 16:30, there were reports of "tanks" moving through the streets of Minsk (which later turned out to be several BTR-80 military vehicles). Shortly before 17:00, three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had appeared at the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than dispersing, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00, most of the crowd had moved back towards the city center, partly due to a hailstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to remain at State Flag Square, outside the Castle shopping center and in the streets around the city center, where people continued to chant anti-Lukashenko slogans. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released a photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun (presumably from his "standoff" a week earlier). By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk, Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in regional capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costumes brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a roadblock. At 16:30, there were reports of "tanks" moving through the streets of Minsk (which later turned out to be several BTR-80 military vehicles). Shortly before 17:00, three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had appeared at the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than dispersing, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00, most of the crowd had moved back towards the city center, partly due to a hailstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to remain at State Flag Square, outside the Castle shopping center and in the streets around the city center, where people continued to chant anti-Lukashenko slogans. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released a photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun (presumably from his "standoff" a week earlier). By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk, Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
|
|
| 976761950 |
2020-09-04T21:00:12Z |
244702(8) |
13625(2) |
594(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in regional capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costumes brought pumpkins to government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumours began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access will be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a roadblock. At 16:30, there were reports of "tanks" moving through the streets of Minsk (which later turned out to be several BTR-80 military vehicles). Shortly before 17:00, three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had appeared at the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than dispersing, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00, most of the crowd had moved back towards the city center, partly due to a hailstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to remain at State Flag Square, outside the Castle shopping center and in the streets around the city center, where people continued to chant anti-Lukashenko slogans. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released a photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun (presumably from his "standoff" a week earlier). By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk, Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in regional capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costumes brought pumpkins to the government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across the Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumors began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access would be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a roadblock. At 16:30, there were reports of "tanks" moving through the streets of Minsk (which later turned out to be several BTR-80 military vehicles). Shortly before 17:00, three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had appeared at the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than dispersing, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00, most of the crowd had moved back towards the city center, partly due to a hailstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to remain at State Flag Square, outside the Castle shopping center and in the streets around the city center, where people continued to chant anti-Lukashenko slogans. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released a photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun (presumably from his "standoff" a week earlier). By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk, Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
|
|
| 976764093 |
2020-09-04T21:18:12Z |
244705(3) |
13625(0) |
594(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
On 3 September, in the morning, near the spontaneous memorial at the site of the death of Alexander Taraikovsky near the Pushkinskaya metro station, utilities, under the supervision of police officers and law enforcement officers in civilian clothes, have covered the inscription "We will not forget" with salt and removed all the flowers put there by civilians the previous night. Residents of the area almost immediately began to rake, sweep and collect salt in garbage bags, ignoring the police. People were also seen bringing flowers to the memorial again. By 4:00 pm, all the salt was removed, and the area with the inscription was washed. A TUT.by photojournalist, Vadim Zamirovsky, was detained when he returned to the memorial twice after being asked to leave by police. Sergey Dylevsky was sentenced to 15 days of imprisonment. Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš announced that, at a government meeting, a letter was addressed to the International Ice Hockey Federation with an appeal to move the 2021 IIHF World Championship from Belarus to another country. More than 50 employees of independent media (BelaPAN, TUT.BY, Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, Tribuna, Onliner, Euroradio, Radio Liberty and others) came to the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to express solidarity with the detained colleagues. Despite their requests, neither the Minister Yuri Karaev, nor his deputy, came out. At the request of law enforcement officers, the journalists crossed the street and marched down the Gorodskoy Val. Soon thereafter, law enforcement officers in civilian detained a TUT.by photographer, Dmitry Brushko, taking him to the Oktyabrsky district police department.
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On 3 September, in the morning, near the spontaneous memorial at the site of the death of Alexander Taraikovsky near the Pushkinskaya metro station, utilities, under the supervision of police officers and law enforcement officers in civilian clothes, covered the inscription "We will not forget" with salt and removed all the flowers put there by civilians the previous night. Residents of the area almost immediately began to rake, sweep and collect salt in garbage bags, ignoring the police. People were also seen bringing flowers to the memorial again. By 4:00 pm, all the salt was removed, and the area with the inscription was washed. A TUT.by photojournalist, Vadim Zamirovsky, was detained when he returned to the memorial twice after being asked to leave by police. Sergey Dylevsky was sentenced to 15 days of imprisonment. Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš announced that, at a government meeting, a letter was addressed to the International Ice Hockey Federation with an appeal to move the 2021 IIHF World Championship from Belarus to another country. More than 50 employees of independent media (BelaPAN, TUT.BY, Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, Tribuna, Onliner, Euroradio, Radio Liberty and others) came to the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to express solidarity with the detained colleagues. Despite their requests, neither the Minister Yuri Karaev, nor his deputy, came out. At the request of law enforcement officers, the journalists crossed the street and marched down the Gorodskoy Val. Soon thereafter, law enforcement officers in civilian clothes detained a TUT.by photographer, Dmitry Brushko, taking him to the Oktyabrsky district police department.
|
|
| 976776275 |
2020-09-04T23:05:35Z |
249847(5142) |
13908(283) |
602(8) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
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On 4 September, the Oktyabrsky District court held trials against journalists from Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, BelaPAN and the online publication TUT.by. All six correspondents were found guilty and sentenced to three days of imprisonment. The Belarusian Association of Journalists protested against the arrests and court indictments against journalists. The Association put forward demands to end the violation of the rights of journalists and the media, to stop physical violence against journalists and peaceful protesters, as well as to revise court decisions by punishing those who obstructed journalist activities. A group of MSLU students performed a song from the musical "Les Misérables" in the lobby of their educational institution. Immediately after that, individuals wearing black clothes ("tikhari") proceeded to detain a number of performers. The staff of the Museum of History of Mogilev wrote an open appeal to Belarusians, executive and legislative authorities demanding the resignation of Alexander Lukashenko and announced their readiness to go on strike. The TV channel ONT published a news item in which it stated that the Belarusian electronic military intelligence intercepted the conversation between the Warsaw and Berlin subscribers. According to the released record, the poisoning of the Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny is closely connected with the events in Belarus. The purpose of the poisoning is to make Russian President Putin distract himself from the events in Belarus and turn his attention to internal problems in Russia. Germany denied the existence of such negotiations. These claims mirror Lukashenko's statements from a day earlier, when, at a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, he said that there was no poisoning of Navalny, that it was a falsification, and that some "interesting conversation" had been sent to Russian FSB.
|
|
| 976777846 |
2020-09-04T23:22:11Z |
249792(-55) |
13908(0) |
602(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976782644 |
2020-09-05T00:10:14Z |
249820(28) |
13908(0) |
602(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
|
|
|
| 976803461 |
2020-09-05T03:39:59Z |
249830(10) |
13911(3) |
602(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
On 3 September, in the morning, near the spontaneous memorial at the site of the death of Alexander Taraikovsky near the Pushkinskaya metro station, utilities, under the supervision of police officers and law enforcement officers in civilian clothes, covered the inscription "We will not forget" with salt and removed all the flowers put there by civilians the previous night. Residents of the area almost immediately began to rake, sweep and collect salt in garbage bags, ignoring the police. People were also seen bringing flowers to the memorial again. By 4:00 pm, all the salt was removed, and the area with the inscription was washed. A TUT.by photojournalist, Vadim Zamirovsky, was detained when he returned to the memorial twice after being asked to leave by police. Sergey Dylevsky was sentenced to 15 days of imprisonment. Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš announced that, at a government meeting, a letter was addressed to the International Ice Hockey Federation with an appeal to move the 2021 IIHF World Championship from Belarus to another country. More than 50 employees of independent media (BelaPAN, TUT.BY, Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, Tribuna, Onliner, Euroradio, Radio Liberty and others) came to the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to express solidarity with the detained colleagues. Despite their requests, neither the Minister Yuri Karaev, nor his deputy, came out. At the request of law enforcement officers, the journalists crossed the street and marched down the Gorodskoy Val. Soon thereafter, law enforcement officers in civilian clothes detained a TUT.by photographer, Dmitry Brushko, taking him to the Oktyabrsky district police department.
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On 3 September, in the morning, near the spontaneous memorial at the site of the death of Alexander Taraikovsky near the Pushkinskaya metro station, utilities, under the supervision of police officers and law enforcement officers in civilian clothes, covered the inscription "We will not forget" with salt and removed all the flowers put there by civilians the previous night. Residents of the area almost immediately began to rake, sweep and collect salt in garbage bags, ignoring the police. People were also seen bringing flowers to the memorial again. By 4:00 pm, all the salt was removed, and the area with the inscription was washed. A TUT.by photojournalist, Vadim Zamirovsky, was detained when he returned to the memorial twice after being asked to leave by police. Sergey Dylevsky was sentenced to 15 days of imprisonment. Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš announced that, at a government meeting, a letter was addressed to the International Ice Hockey Federation with an appeal to move the 2021 IIHF World Championship from Belarus to another country. More than 50 employees of independent media (BelaPAN, TUT.BY, Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, Tribuna, Onliner, Euroradio, Radio Liberty and others) came to the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to express solidarity with the detained colleagues. Despite their requests the Minister Yuri Karaev did not come out, and neither did his deputy. At the request of law enforcement officers, the journalists crossed the street and marched down the Gorodskoy Val. Soon thereafter, law enforcement officers in civilian clothes detained a TUT.by photographer, Dmitry Brushko, taking him to the Oktyabrsky district police department.
|
|
| 976809436 |
2020-09-05T04:47:49Z |
249716(-114) |
13911(0) |
602(0) |
2020 Belarusian protests |
|
|
|
| 976809941 |
2020-09-05T04:53:48Z |
249747(31) |
13916(5) |
602(0) |
Post-election |
On 4 September, the Oktyabrsky District court held trials against journalists from Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, BelaPAN and the online publication TUT.by. All six correspondents were found guilty and sentenced to three days of imprisonment. The Belarusian Association of Journalists protested against the arrests and court indictments against journalists. The Association put forward demands to end the violation of the rights of journalists and the media, to stop physical violence against journalists and peaceful protesters, as well as to revise court decisions by punishing those who obstructed journalist activities. A group of MSLU students performed a song from the musical "Les Misérables" in the lobby of their educational institution. Immediately after that, individuals wearing black clothes ("tikhari") proceeded to detain a number of performers. The staff of the Museum of History of Mogilev wrote an open appeal to Belarusians, executive and legislative authorities demanding the resignation of Alexander Lukashenko and announced their readiness to go on strike. The TV channel ONT published a news item in which it stated that the Belarusian electronic military intelligence intercepted the conversation between the Warsaw and Berlin subscribers. According to the released record, the poisoning of the Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny is closely connected with the events in Belarus. The purpose of the poisoning is to make Russian President Putin distract himself from the events in Belarus and turn his attention to internal problems in Russia. Germany denied the existence of such negotiations. These claims mirror Lukashenko's statements from a day earlier, when, at a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, he said that there was no poisoning of Navalny, that it was a falsification, and that some "interesting conversation" had been sent to Russian FSB.
|
On 4 September, the Oktyabrsky District court held trials against journalists from Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, BelaPAN and the online publication TUT.by. All six correspondents were found guilty and sentenced to three days of imprisonment. The Belarusian Association of Journalists protested against the arrests and court indictments against journalists. The Association put forward demands to end the violation of the rights of journalists and the media, to stop physical violence against journalists and peaceful protesters, as well as to revise court decisions by punishing those who obstructed journalist activities. A group of MSLU students performed a song from the musical "Les Misérables" in the lobby of their educational institution. Immediately after that, individuals wearing black clothes ("tikhari") proceeded to detain a number of performers. The staff of the Museum of History of Mogilev wrote an open appeal to Belarusians, executive and legislative authorities demanding the resignation of Alexander Lukashenko and announced their readiness to go on strike. The state TV channel ONT published a news item in which it stated that the Belarusian electronic military intelligence purportedly intercepted a conversation between Warsaw and Berlin. According to the released record, the poisoning of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny is closely connected with the ongoing events in Belarus. The alleged purpose of the poisoning according to the ONT report is to distract Russian President Putin from the events in Belarus and turn his attention to internal problems in Russia. Germany denied the existence of such negotiations. These claims mirror Lukashenko's statements from a day earlier, when, at a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, he said that there was no poisoning of Navalny, that it was a falsification, and that some "interesting conversation" had been sent to the Russian FSB.
|
|
| 976810256 |
2020-09-05T04:57:45Z |
249764(17) |
13915(-1) |
602(0) |
Post-election |
On 4 September, the Oktyabrsky District court held trials against journalists from Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, BelaPAN and the online publication TUT.by. All six correspondents were found guilty and sentenced to three days of imprisonment. The Belarusian Association of Journalists protested against the arrests and court indictments against journalists. The Association put forward demands to end the violation of the rights of journalists and the media, to stop physical violence against journalists and peaceful protesters, as well as to revise court decisions by punishing those who obstructed journalist activities. A group of MSLU students performed a song from the musical "Les Misérables" in the lobby of their educational institution. Immediately after that, individuals wearing black clothes ("tikhari") proceeded to detain a number of performers. The staff of the Museum of History of Mogilev wrote an open appeal to Belarusians, executive and legislative authorities demanding the resignation of Alexander Lukashenko and announced their readiness to go on strike. The state TV channel ONT published a news item in which it stated that the Belarusian electronic military intelligence purportedly intercepted a conversation between Warsaw and Berlin. According to the released record, the poisoning of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny is closely connected with the ongoing events in Belarus. The alleged purpose of the poisoning according to the ONT report is to distract Russian President Putin from the events in Belarus and turn his attention to internal problems in Russia. Germany denied the existence of such negotiations. These claims mirror Lukashenko's statements from a day earlier, when, at a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, he said that there was no poisoning of Navalny, that it was a falsification, and that some "interesting conversation" had been sent to the Russian FSB.
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On 4 September, the Oktyabrsky District court held trials against journalists from Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, BelaPAN and the online publication TUT.by. All six correspondents were found guilty and sentenced to three days of imprisonment. The Belarusian Association of Journalists protested against the arrests and court indictments against journalists. The Association put forward demands to end the violation of the rights of journalists and the media, to stop physical violence against journalists and peaceful protesters, as well as to revise court decisions by punishing those who obstructed journalist activities. A group of MSLU students performed a song from the musical "Les Misérables" in the lobby of their educational institution. Immediately after that, individuals wearing black clothes ("tikhari") proceeded to detain a number of performers. The staff of the Museum of History of Mogilev wrote an open appeal to Belarusians, executive and legislative authorities demanding the resignation of Alexander Lukashenko and announced their readiness to go on strike. The state TV channel ONT published a news item in which it stated that the Belarusian electronic military intelligence purportedly intercepted a conversation between Warsaw and Berlin. According to the ONT report, the poisoning of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny is closely connected with the ongoing events in Belarus. The alleged purpose of the poisoning, according to the ONT report, is to distract President Putin from the events in Belarus and turn his attention to internal problems in Russia. Germany denied the existence of such negotiations. These claims mirror Lukashenko's statements from a day earlier, when, at a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, he said that there was no poisoning of Navalny, that it was a falsification, and that some "interesting conversation" had been sent to the Russian FSB.
|
|
| 976810486 |
2020-09-05T05:01:07Z |
249789(25) |
13916(1) |
602(0) |
Symbols |
The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic and the traditional folk song Pahonia. A common slogan used by the protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus!. Anti-Lukashenko protesters have also used the current state flag of Belarus on rare occasions.
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The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic and the traditional folk song Pahonia. A common slogan used by protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus! (Жыве Беларусь!). Anti-Lukashenko protesters have also used the current state flag of Belarus on rare occasions.
|
|
| 976811219 |
2020-09-05T05:11:39Z |
249823(34) |
13919(3) |
602(0) |
Symbols |
The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic and the traditional folk song Pahonia. A common slogan used by protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus! (Жыве Беларусь!). Anti-Lukashenko protesters have also used the current state flag of Belarus on rare occasions.
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The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic and the traditional folk song Pahonia. A common slogan used by protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus! (Жыве Беларусь!, romanised: Žyvie Bielarus'!). Anti-Lukashenko protesters have also used the current state flag of Belarus on rare occasions.
|
|
| 976813343 |
2020-09-05T05:37:11Z |
249805(-18) |
13916(-3) |
602(0) |
|
The protests have been violently suppressed by the authorities. On 1 September, in a statement by the human rights experts of the United Nations, more than 450 documented cases of torture and ill-treatment of detainees were mentioned, including sexual abuse and rape with rubber batons of women and children.
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The protests have been violently suppressed by the authorities. On 1 September, in a statement by the human rights experts of the United Nations, more than 450 documented cases of torture and ill-treatment of detainees were mentioned, including sexual abuse and rape of women and children.
|
|
| 976813644 |
2020-09-05T05:41:14Z |
248797(-1008) |
13815(-101) |
601(-1) |
Allegations of foreign interference |
Some outlets in Russia and Belarus scrutinized the connections held by the Belarusian opposition media, questioning the independence of the NEXTA telegram channel. One of the founders of the channel is Belarusian Stepan Putilo, who emigrated to Poland and studies in the United States. Previously, Putilo worked for Belsat, a satellite television network supervised by and directly funded by the Polish government. The chief editor of NEXTA is Roman Protasevich, who also works at Radio Liberty (recognized in the Russian Federation as a foreign agent). When covering the events in Belarus, The U.S. Government's Radio Liberty actively cites NEXTA for its information.
|
|
|
| 976818539 |
2020-09-05T06:44:29Z |
248800(3) |
13815(0) |
601(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976818747 |
2020-09-05T06:46:26Z |
248794(-6) |
13815(0) |
601(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976823236 |
2020-09-05T07:27:06Z |
248788(-6) |
13815(0) |
601(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
On 4 September, the Oktyabrsky District court held trials against journalists from Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, BelaPAN and the online publication TUT.by. All six correspondents were found guilty and sentenced to three days of imprisonment. The Belarusian Association of Journalists protested against the arrests and court indictments against journalists. The Association put forward demands to end the violation of the rights of journalists and the media, to stop physical violence against journalists and peaceful protesters, as well as to revise court decisions by punishing those who obstructed journalist activities. A group of MSLU students performed a song from the musical "Les Misérables" in the lobby of their educational institution. Immediately after that, individuals wearing black clothes ("tikhari") proceeded to detain a number of performers. The staff of the Museum of History of Mogilev wrote an open appeal to Belarusians, executive and legislative authorities demanding the resignation of Alexander Lukashenko and announced their readiness to go on strike. The state TV channel ONT published a news item in which it stated that the Belarusian electronic military intelligence purportedly intercepted a conversation between Warsaw and Berlin. According to the ONT report, the poisoning of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny is closely connected with the ongoing events in Belarus. The alleged purpose of the poisoning, according to the ONT report, is to distract President Putin from the events in Belarus and turn his attention to internal problems in Russia. Germany denied the existence of such negotiations. These claims mirror Lukashenko's statements from a day earlier, when, at a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, he said that there was no poisoning of Navalny, that it was a falsification, and that some "interesting conversation" had been sent to the Russian FSB.
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On 4 September, the Oktyabrsky District court held trials against journalists from Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, BelaPAN and the online publication TUT.by. All six correspondents were found guilty and sentenced to three days of imprisonment. The Belarusian Association of Journalists protested against the arrests and court indictments against journalists. The Association put forward demands to end the violation of the rights of journalists and the media, to stop physical violence against journalists and peaceful protesters, as well as to revise court decisions by punishing those who obstructed journalist activities. A group of MSLU students performed a song from the musical "Les Misérables" in the lobby of their educational institution. Immediately after that, individuals wearing black clothes ("tikhari") proceeded to detain a number of performers. The staff of the Museum of History of Mogilev wrote an open appeal to Belarusian executive and legislative authorities, demanding the resignation of Alexander Lukashenko, also announcing their readiness to go on strike. The state TV channel ONT published a news item in which it stated that the Belarusian electronic military intelligence purportedly intercepted a conversation between Warsaw and Berlin. According to the ONT report, the poisoning of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny is closely connected with the ongoing events in Belarus. The alleged purpose of the poisoning, according to the ONT report, is to distract President Putin from the events in Belarus and turn his attention to internal problems in Russia. Germany denied the existence of such negotiations. These claims mirror Lukashenko's statements from a day earlier, when, at a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, he said that there was no poisoning of Navalny, that it was a falsification, and that some "interesting conversation" had been sent to the Russian FSB.
|
|
| 976823629 |
2020-09-05T07:30:44Z |
248814(26) |
13815(0) |
601(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
On 4 September, the Oktyabrsky District court held trials against journalists from Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, BelaPAN and the online publication TUT.by. All six correspondents were found guilty and sentenced to three days of imprisonment. The Belarusian Association of Journalists protested against the arrests and court indictments against journalists. The Association put forward demands to end the violation of the rights of journalists and the media, to stop physical violence against journalists and peaceful protesters, as well as to revise court decisions by punishing those who obstructed journalist activities. A group of MSLU students performed a song from the musical "Les Misérables" in the lobby of their educational institution. Immediately after that, individuals wearing black clothes ("tikhari") proceeded to detain a number of performers. The staff of the Museum of History of Mogilev wrote an open appeal to Belarusian executive and legislative authorities, demanding the resignation of Alexander Lukashenko, also announcing their readiness to go on strike. The state TV channel ONT published a news item in which it stated that the Belarusian electronic military intelligence purportedly intercepted a conversation between Warsaw and Berlin. According to the ONT report, the poisoning of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny is closely connected with the ongoing events in Belarus. The alleged purpose of the poisoning, according to the ONT report, is to distract President Putin from the events in Belarus and turn his attention to internal problems in Russia. Germany denied the existence of such negotiations. These claims mirror Lukashenko's statements from a day earlier, when, at a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, he said that there was no poisoning of Navalny, that it was a falsification, and that some "interesting conversation" had been sent to the Russian FSB.
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On 4 September, the Oktyabrsky District court held trials against journalists from Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, BelaPAN and the online publication TUT.by. All six correspondents were found guilty and sentenced to three days of imprisonment. The Belarusian Association of Journalists protested against the arrests and court indictments against journalists. The Association put forward demands to end the violation of the rights of journalists and the media, to stop physical violence against journalists and peaceful protesters, as well as to revise court decisions by punishing those who obstructed journalist activities. A group of MSLU students performed a song from the musical "Les Misérables" in the lobby of their educational institution. Immediately after that, individuals wearing black clothes ("tikhari") proceeded to detain a number of performers. The staff of the Museum of History of Mogilev wrote an open appeal to Belarusian executive and legislative authorities, demanding the resignation of Alexander Lukashenko, also announcing their readiness to go on strike. The state TV channel ONT published a news item in which it stated that the Belarusian Electronic Warfare Directorate purportedly intercepted a conversation between Warsaw and Berlin. According to the ONT report, the poisoning of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny is closely connected with the ongoing events in Belarus. The alleged purpose of the poisoning, according to the ONT report, is to distract President Putin from the events in Belarus and turn his attention to internal problems in Russia. Germany denied the existence of such negotiations. These claims mirror Lukashenko's statements from a day earlier, when, at a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, he said that there was no poisoning of Navalny, that it was a falsification, and that some "interesting conversation" had been sent to the Russian FSB.
|
|
| 976850309 |
2020-09-05T12:17:45Z |
249107(293) |
13815(0) |
601(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976858625 |
2020-09-05T13:43:17Z |
249039(-68) |
13818(3) |
601(0) |
|
The 2020 Belarusian protests are a series of political demonstrations against the Belarusian government and President Alexander Lukashenko. The demonstrations, which are part of the Belarusian democracy movement, began in the lead-up to and during the 2020 presidential election, in which Lukashenko sought a sixth term in office. In response, a number of relatively small pro-Lukashenko demonstrations were held.
The protests have been violently suppressed by the authorities. On 1 September, in a statement by the human rights experts of the United Nations, more than 450 documented cases of torture and ill-treatment of detainees were mentioned, including sexual abuse and rape of women and children.
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The 2020 Belarusian protests are a series of ongoing political demonstrations and protests against the Belarusian government and President Alexander Lukashenko. The demonstrations, which are part of the Belarusian democracy movement, began in the lead-up to and during the 2020 presidential election, in which Lukashenko sought a sixth term in office. In response, a number of relatively small pro-Lukashenko demonstrations were held.
The protests have faced violent persecution by the authorities. On 1 September, in a statement by the human rights experts of the United Nations, more than 450 documented cases of torture and ill-treatment of detainees were mentioned, including sexual abuse and rape of women and children.
|
|
| 976863705 |
2020-09-05T14:25:39Z |
249180(141) |
13818(0) |
601(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976901175 |
2020-09-05T18:59:45Z |
249181(1) |
13817(-1) |
601(0) |
|
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya received 60–70% of the actual vote and announced the creation of the Coordination Council, with membership applications open to all Belarusians who agreed that the "official" election had been falsified.
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Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, an opposition candidate in the election, announced the creation of the Coordination Council, with membership applications open to all Belarusians who agreed that the "official" election had been falsified.
|
|
| 976902530 |
2020-09-05T19:10:27Z |
249233(52) |
13826(9) |
601(0) |
|
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, an opposition candidate in the election, announced the creation of the Coordination Council, with membership applications open to all Belarusians who agreed that the "official" election had been falsified.
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Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, an opposition candidate in the election who insisted to have received 60–70% of the votes, announced the creation of the Coordination Council, with membership applications open to all Belarusians who agreed that the "official" election had been falsified.
|
|
| 976902839 |
2020-09-05T19:12:51Z |
248892(-341) |
13826(0) |
601(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976904220 |
2020-09-05T19:22:34Z |
248999(107) |
13826(0) |
601(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 976905322 |
2020-09-05T19:31:00Z |
248824(-175) |
13802(-24) |
601(0) |
|
On 4 September, the Oktyabrsky District court held trials against journalists from Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, BelaPAN and the online publication TUT.by. All six correspondents were found guilty and sentenced to three days of imprisonment. The Belarusian Association of Journalists protested against the arrests and court indictments against journalists. The Association put forward demands to end the violation of the rights of journalists and the media, to stop physical violence against journalists and peaceful protesters, as well as to revise court decisions by punishing those who obstructed journalist activities. A group of MSLU students performed a song from the musical "Les Misérables" in the lobby of their educational institution. Immediately after that, individuals wearing black clothes ("tikhari") proceeded to detain a number of performers. The staff of the Museum of History of Mogilev wrote an open appeal to Belarusian executive and legislative authorities, demanding the resignation of Alexander Lukashenko, also announcing their readiness to go on strike. The state TV channel ONT published a news item in which it stated that the Belarusian Electronic Warfare Directorate purportedly intercepted a conversation between Warsaw and Berlin. According to the ONT report, the poisoning of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny is closely connected with the ongoing events in Belarus. The alleged purpose of the poisoning, according to the ONT report, is to distract President Putin from the events in Belarus and turn his attention to internal problems in Russia. Germany denied the existence of such negotiations. These claims mirror Lukashenko's statements from a day earlier, when, at a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, he said that there was no poisoning of Navalny, that it was a falsification, and that some "interesting conversation" had been sent to the Russian FSB.
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On 4 September, the Oktyabrsky District court held trials against journalists from Komsomolskaya Pravda in Belarus, BelaPAN and TUT.by. All six correspondents were found guilty and sentenced to three days of imprisonment. The Belarusian Association of Journalists protested against the arrests and court indictments against journalists, putting forward demands to end the violation of the rights of journalists and the media, stop physical violence against journalists and peaceful protesters and revise court decisions by punishing those who obstructed journalist activities. A number of MSLU students were detained after performing a song from the musical "Les Misérables" in the lobby of their educational institution. The staff of the Museum of History of Mogilev wrote an open appeal to Belarusian executive and legislative authorities, demanding the resignation of Alexander Lukashenko and announcing their readiness to go on strike. The state TV channel ONT published a news item stating the Belarusian Electronic Warfare Directorate purportedly intercepted a conversation between Warsaw and Berlin. According to the ONT report, the poisoning of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny was closely connected with the ongoing events in Belarus. The alleged purpose of the poisoning, according to the ONT report, is to distract President Putin from the events in Belarus and turn his attention to internal problems in Russia. Germany denied the existence of this conversation. These claims mirror Lukashenko's statements from a day earlier, when, at a meeting with the Russian Prime Minister, Mikhail Mishustin, he said that there was no poisoning of Navalny, that it was a falsification, and that some "interesting conversation" had been sent to the Russian FSB.
|
|
| 976923704 |
2020-09-05T22:00:34Z |
249056(232) |
13802(0) |
602(1) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
|
|
|
| 976933586 |
2020-09-05T23:27:24Z |
249166(110) |
13802(0) |
602(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
|
|
|
| 976935191 |
2020-09-05T23:41:52Z |
249174(8) |
13804(2) |
602(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which is to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in regional capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costumes brought pumpkins to the government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across the Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumors began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access would be stopped across Minsk at 15:00.At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a roadblock. At 16:30, there were reports of "tanks" moving through the streets of Minsk (which later turned out to be several BTR-80 military vehicles). Shortly before 17:00, three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had appeared at the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than dispersing, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00, most of the crowd had moved back towards the city center, partly due to a hailstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to remain at State Flag Square, outside the Castle shopping center and in the streets around the city center, where people continued to chant anti-Lukashenko slogans. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released a photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun (presumably from his "standoff" a week earlier). By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk, Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
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30 August marked Alexander Lukashenko's 66th birthday and a programme of national celebrations had been planned by the government, public authorities and his supporters. Russian President Vladimir Putin called Lukashenko to offer birthday greetings and the two agreed to meet in Moscow in the coming weeks. Independent media sources reported a large build up of military vehicles and security personnel around Minsk with access to public squares being fenced off and roads being blocked. Lukashenko's opponents had planned a series of events and rallies culminating in a "March for Peace and Independence" which was to proceed down Independence Avenue to Independence Square and then onward to the Independence Palace. Similar rallies are also planned to take place in regional capitals where opponents were asked to gather at regional administrative headquarters. Opponents of Lukashenko have been asked to bring appropriate birthday gifts and to leave these at Lukashenko's official residences around the country. Responding to this call, a group of women dressed in traditional costumes brought pumpkins to the government house, a sign of rejection in Belarusian culture. At around 14:00, local time, reports emerged of security forces arbitrarily detaining people and placing them into police vans. At approximately 14:50 it was reported that demonstrators had managed to breach a police line across the Independence Avenue, forcing security forces to retreat further down the street. Rumors began to circulate on the Telegram platform that internet access would be stopped across Minsk at 15:00. At about 15:30, the main rally had reached the Great Patriotic War Museum which was guarded by security forces. The rally continued to move towards State Flag Square and the Independence Palace where security forces had set up a roadblock. At 16:30, there were reports of "tanks" moving through the streets of Minsk (which later turned out to be several BTR-80 military vehicles). Shortly before 17:00, three members of the presidium of the Coordination Council and several Belarusian Olympic athletes had appeared at the police line in front of the Independence Palace. Security forces warned the crowd to disperse or be subject to the use of force. Rather than dispersing, the demonstrators began to place gifts, such as cardboard cutouts of cockroaches, police vans, helicopters and white slippers for Lukashenko in front of the police line. By 19:00, most of the crowd had moved back towards the city center, partly due to a hailstorm that had broken out. Crowds continued to remain at State Flag Square, outside the Castle shopping center and in the streets around the city center, where people continued to chant anti-Lukashenko slogans. When questioned about the whereabouts of Alexander Lukashenko, his publicity team released a photograph of him walking around the grounds of the Independence Palace holding a gun (presumably from his "standoff" a week earlier). By mid-afternoon, demonstrations were also taking place in Gomel, Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk, Mogilev and several other towns and cities. Riot police detained a number of demonstrators in Grodno.
|
|
| 976935349 |
2020-09-05T23:43:32Z |
249173(-1) |
13804(0) |
602(0) |
Persons falsely accused of torture |
Kristina Kazanoy from Minsk was falsely accused of torture on social networks, being reported by some of the former detainees to be similar in appearance to a member of Okrestina staff. She turned out to be not a police officer, but a teacher at the academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Kazanaoy had to release a video message declaring that she never used violence. Kazanoy stated she did not believe the stories about the widespread tortures: “After they fabricated this story about me, they no longer have my faith. I don’t know any of the employees at Okrestina, I don’t know if that woman actually tortured and beat people and if there is such an employee at all. Until yesterday, I didn’t know where Okrestsina was, I thought it was not in Minsk.”
|
Kristina Kazanoy from Minsk was falsely accused of torture on social networks, being reported by some of the former detainees to be similar in appearance to a member of Okrestina staff. She turned out to be not a police officer, but a teacher at the academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Kazanoy had to release a video message declaring that she never used violence. Kazanoy stated she did not believe the stories about the widespread tortures: “After they fabricated this story about me, they no longer have my faith. I don’t know any of the employees at Okrestina, I don’t know if that woman actually tortured and beat people and if there is such an employee at all. Until yesterday, I didn’t know where Okrestsina was, I thought it was not in Minsk.”
|
|
| 976963061 |
2020-09-06T03:34:53Z |
250902(1729) |
13967(163) |
605(3) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
|
On 5 September, at noon, a solidarity rally has been organized by students near the "October" cinema in Minsk. Minutes later, security forces began to detain the protesters. People in civilian clothes and masks detained at least two individuals by taking them to a minibus without numbers and identification marks. Later that day, around 15:00, hundreds of women gathered near the Komarovsky marketplace and began their "March For Peace" rally. They walked in column along Vera Khoruzhaya Street and Independence Avenue towards Independence Square. At 18:00, part of the protesters marched in circle through Nemiga Street and returned to Independence Square. The riot police tried several times to obstruct the march, but all attempts were unsuccessful. The end of the rally almost coincided in time with the beginning of the evening service for the people who suffered at the protests in the Church of Saints Simon and Helena on Independence Square. According to Belarusian journalists, about 10 thousand people took part in the action.
|
|
| 977011766 |
2020-09-06T12:03:17Z |
250854(-48) |
13937(-30) |
605(0) |
|
On 5 September, at noon, a solidarity rally has been organized by students near the "October" cinema in Minsk. Minutes later, security forces began to detain the protesters. People in civilian clothes and masks detained at least two individuals by taking them to a minibus without numbers and identification marks. Later that day, around 15:00, hundreds of women gathered near the Komarovsky marketplace and began their "March For Peace" rally. They walked in column along Vera Khoruzhaya Street and Independence Avenue towards Independence Square. At 18:00, part of the protesters marched in circle through Nemiga Street and returned to Independence Square. The riot police tried several times to obstruct the march, but all attempts were unsuccessful. The end of the rally almost coincided in time with the beginning of the evening service for the people who suffered at the protests in the Church of Saints Simon and Helena on Independence Square. According to Belarusian journalists, about 10 thousand people took part in the action.
|
On 5 September, at noon, a solidarity rally was organized by students near the "October" cinema in Minsk. Minutes later, people in civilian clothes began to detain the protesters. Around 15:00, hundreds of women gathered near the Komarovsky marketplace for the "March For Peace" rally. They walked in column along Vera Khoruzhaya Street and Independence Avenue towards Independence Square. At 18:00, part of the protesters marched in circle through Nemiga Street and returned to Independence Square. The riot police' attempts at obstructing the march were unsuccessful. The end of the rally almost coincided in time with the beginning of the evening service in the Church of Saints Simon and Helena dedicated to the people who suffered at the protests on Independence Square. According to Belarusian journalists, about 10,000 people took part in the action.
|
|
| 977020311 |
2020-09-06T13:15:23Z |
252885(2031) |
14076(139) |
608(3) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
On 5 September, at noon, a solidarity rally was organized by students near the "October" cinema in Minsk. Minutes later, people in civilian clothes began to detain the protesters. Around 15:00, hundreds of women gathered near the Komarovsky marketplace for the "March For Peace" rally. They walked in column along Vera Khoruzhaya Street and Independence Avenue towards Independence Square. At 18:00, part of the protesters marched in circle through Nemiga Street and returned to Independence Square. The riot police' attempts at obstructing the march were unsuccessful. The end of the rally almost coincided in time with the beginning of the evening service in the Church of Saints Simon and Helena dedicated to the people who suffered at the protests on Independence Square. According to Belarusian journalists, about 10,000 people took part in the action.
|
On 5 September, at noon, a solidarity rally was organized by students near the "October" cinema in Minsk. Minutes later, people in civilian clothes began to detain the protesters. Around 15:00, hundreds of women gathered near the Komarovsky marketplace for the "March For Peace" rally. They walked in column along Vera Khoruzhaya Street and Independence Avenue towards Independence Square. At 18:00, part of the protesters marched in circle through Nemiga Street and returned to Independence Square. The riot police' attempts at obstructing the march were unsuccessful. The end of the rally almost coincided in time with the beginning of the evening service in the Church of Saints Simon and Helena dedicated to the people who suffered at the protests on Independence Square. According to Belarusian journalists, about 10,000 people took part in the action. Four PandaDoc employees who were detained on 2 September were senteced to two months of imprisonment. The company called it an act of revenge for supporting police officers who have voluntarily quit the service. Its Minsk office will be closed and 250 employees relocated from the country. The press service of the Coordination Council announced the departure of lawyer Olga Kovalkova to Poland. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine announced the suspension of political contacts with Belarus. The minister Dmitry Kuleba explained that official contacts at the political level with representatives of the Belarusian authorities were stopped "because of the situation in that country". According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, on 5 September 91 citizens were detained for "participating in unauthorized mass events". 34 detainees were placed into custody for considerable administrative offenses, awaiting the court's decision.
|
|
| 977021299 |
2020-09-06T13:22:53Z |
252932(47) |
14076(0) |
608(0) |
Fourth week (30 August onward) |
|
|
|
| 977022081 |
2020-09-06T13:28:40Z |
252932(0) |
14076(0) |
608(0) |
Fifth week (5 September onward) |
|
|
|
| 977022879 |
2020-09-06T13:34:18Z |
253184(252) |
14111(35) |
608(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
|
On 6 September, the "March of Unity" takes place all over Belarus. Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers are unwinding barbed wire around the Independence Square in Minsk.[citation needed]
|
|
| 977024420 |
2020-09-06T13:45:13Z |
253185(1) |
14111(0) |
608(0) |
Symbols |
The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic and the traditional folk song Pahonia. A common slogan used by protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus! (Жыве Беларусь!, romanised: Žyvie Bielarus'!). Anti-Lukashenko protesters have also used the current state flag of Belarus on rare occasions.
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The red-and-white flag, the official flag of independent Belarus from 1991 to 1995, has been adopted by the pro-democracy opposition, becoming a powerful symbol. Officially banned by the authorities, the flag was frequently confiscated by the police at demonstrations and became a symbol for everyone who actively opposes Lukashenko. Other symbols used by opposition supporters include the former coat of arms of Belarus, known as the Pahonia, and the song Vajacki marš, which was the national anthem of the short-lived Belarusian People's Republic and the traditional folk song Pahonia. A common slogan used by protesters is the phrase Long Live Belarus! (Жыве Беларусь!, romanised: Žyvie Biełaruś!). Anti-Lukashenko protesters have also used the current state flag of Belarus on rare occasions.
|
|
| 977040796 |
2020-09-06T15:45:38Z |
253216(31) |
14111(0) |
608(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 977046399 |
2020-09-06T16:24:58Z |
253216(0) |
14111(0) |
608(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 977054876 |
2020-09-06T17:26:13Z |
253378(162) |
14111(0) |
608(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
|
|
|
| 977057768 |
2020-09-06T17:45:27Z |
254148(770) |
14111(0) |
610(2) |
Gallery |
|
|
|
| 977058814 |
2020-09-06T17:52:00Z |
254337(189) |
14111(0) |
610(0) |
Gallery |
|
|
|
| 977060459 |
2020-09-06T18:01:44Z |
254341(4) |
14111(0) |
610(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 977062724 |
2020-09-06T18:15:46Z |
254375(34) |
14111(0) |
610(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 977063176 |
2020-09-06T18:19:11Z |
254369(-6) |
14110(-1) |
610(0) |
|
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, an opposition candidate in the election who insisted to have received 60–70% of the votes, announced the creation of the Coordination Council, with membership applications open to all Belarusians who agreed that the "official" election had been falsified.
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Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, an opposition candidate in the election who claims she received 60–70% of the votes, announced the creation of the Coordination Council, with membership applications open to all Belarusians who agreed that the "official" election had been falsified.
|
|
| 977065168 |
2020-09-06T18:31:32Z |
254380(11) |
14110(0) |
610(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 977067687 |
2020-09-06T18:48:58Z |
254425(45) |
14110(0) |
610(0) |
External links |
|
|
|
| 977072847 |
2020-09-06T19:25:02Z |
254391(-34) |
14110(0) |
610(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 977075225 |
2020-09-06T19:41:42Z |
254190(-201) |
14080(-30) |
610(0) |
|
On 5 September, at noon, a solidarity rally was organized by students near the "October" cinema in Minsk. Minutes later, people in civilian clothes began to detain the protesters. Around 15:00, hundreds of women gathered near the Komarovsky marketplace for the "March For Peace" rally. They walked in column along Vera Khoruzhaya Street and Independence Avenue towards Independence Square. At 18:00, part of the protesters marched in circle through Nemiga Street and returned to Independence Square. The riot police' attempts at obstructing the march were unsuccessful. The end of the rally almost coincided in time with the beginning of the evening service in the Church of Saints Simon and Helena dedicated to the people who suffered at the protests on Independence Square. According to Belarusian journalists, about 10,000 people took part in the action. Four PandaDoc employees who were detained on 2 September were senteced to two months of imprisonment. The company called it an act of revenge for supporting police officers who have voluntarily quit the service. Its Minsk office will be closed and 250 employees relocated from the country. The press service of the Coordination Council announced the departure of lawyer Olga Kovalkova to Poland. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine announced the suspension of political contacts with Belarus. The minister Dmitry Kuleba explained that official contacts at the political level with representatives of the Belarusian authorities were stopped "because of the situation in that country". According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, on 5 September 91 citizens were detained for "participating in unauthorized mass events". 34 detainees were placed into custody for considerable administrative offenses, awaiting the court's decision.
|
On 5 September, at noon, a solidarity rally was organized by students near the "October" cinema in Minsk. Minutes later, people in civilian clothes began to detain the protesters. Around 15:00, hundreds of women gathered near the Komarovsky marketplace for the "March For Peace" rally. They walked in a column along Vera Khoruzhaya Street and Independence Avenue towards Independence Square. At 18:00, part of the protesters marched in circle through Nemiga Street and returned to Independence Square. The riot police' attempts at obstructing the march were unsuccessful. The end of the rally almost coincided in time with the beginning of the evening service in the Church of Saints Simon and Helena dedicated to the people who suffered at the protests on Independence Square. According to Belarusian journalists, about 10,000 people took part in the action. Four PandaDoc employees who were detained on 2 September were sentenced to two months of imprisonment. The company called that an act of revenge for supporting the police officers who had voluntarily quit the service and announced termination of its work in Belarus. The press service of the Coordination Council announced the departure of Olga Kovalkova to Poland. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine announced the suspension of official contacts with Belarus. According to the Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs, on 5 September, 91 citizens were detained for "participating in unauthorized mass events". 34 detainees were placed into custody for considerable administrative offenses, awaiting the court's decision.
|
|
| 977075822 |
2020-09-06T19:45:55Z |
254190(0) |
14080(0) |
610(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
On 6 September, the "March of Unity" takes place all over Belarus. Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers are unwinding barbed wire around the Independence Square in Minsk.[citation needed]
|
On 6 September, the "March of Unity" took place all over Belarus. Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around the Independence Square in Minsk.[citation needed]
|
|
| 977078520 |
2020-09-06T20:06:13Z |
254210(20) |
14080(0) |
610(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 977096416 |
2020-09-06T22:31:25Z |
254614(404) |
14079(-1) |
611(1) |
Post-election |
On 6 September, the "March of Unity" took place all over Belarus. Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around the Independence Square in Minsk.[citation needed]
|
On 6 September, the "March of Unity" took place all over Belarus. Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around the Independence Square in Minsk.
|
|
| 977118588 |
2020-09-07T01:44:42Z |
254911(297) |
14079(0) |
613(2) |
|
|
|
|
| 977119871 |
2020-09-07T01:54:07Z |
255034(123) |
14079(0) |
614(1) |
|
|
|
|
| 977132265 |
2020-09-07T03:33:53Z |
255033(-1) |
14079(0) |
614(0) |
Fourth week (30 August to 5 September) |
|
|
|
| 977137398 |
2020-09-07T04:04:36Z |
255031(-2) |
14079(0) |
614(0) |
2020 Belarusian protests |
|
|
|
| 977138726 |
2020-09-07T04:14:57Z |
255025(-6) |
14078(-1) |
614(0) |
Post-election |
On 6 September, the "March of Unity" took place all over Belarus. Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around the Independence Square in Minsk.
|
On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place all over Belarus. Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk.
|
|
| 977138803 |
2020-09-07T04:15:37Z |
255014(-11) |
14076(-2) |
614(0) |
Post-election |
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus, in a summary of events during protests in the night of 11–12 August, noted that in several cities, "there were facts of open confrontation with the law enforcement agencies". In Brest, they also reported "a group of aggressively minded citizens with fittings in their hands attacked police officers." The ministry also stated that "five deliberate raids with the use of cars" were committed to law enforcement officers during the day. In Zhodzina, Minsk Region, after such a collision, a soldier was hospitalized with multiple injuries.
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The Ministry of Internal Affairs, in a summary of events during protests in the night of 11–12 August, noted that in several cities, "there were facts of open confrontation with the law enforcement agencies". In Brest, they also reported "a group of aggressively minded citizens with fittings in their hands attacked police officers." The ministry also stated that "five deliberate raids with the use of cars" were committed to law enforcement officers during the day. In Zhodzina, Minsk Region, after such a collision, a soldier was hospitalized with multiple injuries.
|
|
| 977139003 |
2020-09-07T04:17:03Z |
255022(8) |
14078(2) |
614(0) |
Background |
Lukashenko had faced greater public opposition amid his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which Lukashenko has denied as a serious threat. Of the five elections won by Lukashenko, only the first was credibly deemed free and fair by international monitors.
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Lukashenko had faced greater public opposition amid his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which Lukashenko has denied as a serious threat. Of the five elections won by Lukashenko, only the first in 1994 was credibly deemed free and fair by international monitors.
|
|
| 977174744 |
2020-09-07T10:00:33Z |
254990(-32) |
14078(0) |
614(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 977190742 |
2020-09-07T12:32:24Z |
255409(419) |
14106(28) |
615(1) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
|
Maria Kolesnikova was abducted by unknown assailants in Minsk on September 7th. Masked men kidnapped her and drove off in a van. The Police in Minsk denied the claims.
|
|
| 977198666 |
2020-09-07T13:43:07Z |
255410(1) |
14106(0) |
615(0) |
|
On 11 August 2020 Molotov cocktails began to be thrown at security officials in Minsk. Activists built barricades and began to burn tires near the capital's shopping center "Riga", the area near which will become one of the main places of clashes between activists and law enforcement officers. Telegram channel NEXTA, used by the opposition, published messages alleging violence by law enforcement officers, which were not always accompanied by video or photo confirmation. Telegram published aggressive vocabulary against law enforcement, such as "punishers" and "fascists". Telegram was one of the few accessible resources during a concurrent internet blackout and VPN usage was ubiquitous, with Psiphon usage skyrocketing.
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On 11 August 2020 Molotov cocktails began to be thrown at security officials in Minsk. Activists built barricades and began to burn tires near the capital's shopping center "Riga", the area near which would become one of the main places of clashes between activists and law enforcement officers. Telegram channel NEXTA, used by the opposition, published messages alleging violence by law enforcement officers, which were not always accompanied by video or photo confirmation. Telegram published aggressive vocabulary against law enforcement, such as "punishers" and "fascists". Telegram was one of the few accessible resources during a concurrent internet blackout and VPN usage was ubiquitous, with Psiphon usage skyrocketing.
|
|
| 977199081 |
2020-09-07T13:46:56Z |
255411(1) |
14107(1) |
615(0) |
First week (9–15 August) |
On the same day, the Belarus Interior Minister stated that a "shoot to kill" policy in cases of selfdefence was permitted.
|
On the same day, the Belarus Interior Minister stated that a "shoot to kill" policy in cases of self defence was permitted.
|
|
| 977225091 |
2020-09-07T17:04:58Z |
265812(10401) |
15065(958) |
630(15) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place all over Belarus. Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk.
Maria Kolesnikova was abducted by unknown assailants in Minsk on September 7th. Masked men kidnapped her and drove off in a van. The Police in Minsk denied the claims.
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On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place all over Belarus. The protesters came out in cities such as Baranovichi, Beloozersk, Bobruisk, Brest, Vitebsk, Volkovysk, Glubokoe, Gomel, Grodno, Zhodino, Kobrin, Lida, Lyakhovichi, Minsk, Mogilev, Mozyr, Molodcheno, Novogrudok, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Svetlogorsk, Smorgon, Soligorsk and others. According to the newspaper "Nasha Niva" in regional centers, about 6,000 people took part in the march in Gomel, about 4,000 in Grodno, about 3,000 in Brest, as well as in Vitebsk and Mogilev, and more than 100,000 gathered in Minsk. According to journalists and observers, the demonstration in the center of the capital was as numerous as in previous Sunday marches, from 170 to 200 thousand people took to the streets. More than 170 thousand people confirmed their participation in the marches on the online platform "Golos" ("Voice") alone. Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk. Independence and Victory Squares were closed in advance and surrounded by metal barriers while Oktyabrskaya Square and the territories near the monument "Hero City of Minsk" and the Palace of Independence were also surrounded by pressured water trucks wielding Rubezh anti-riot barriers. At 14:35, the mobile Internet of the A1 operator was disconnected. Users of other mobile operators also reported the termination of Internet services. Also from 12:30 pm to 6:00 pm six metro stations were out of service and trains did not stop at them. This time, the security forces used a different tactic. Throughout the city riot policemen attempted to disperse the columns from within the residential areas before the protesters had a chance to march to the city centers. Violent detentions with beating of people were observed near the metro stations "Pushkinskaya" and "Vostok", near the supermarket "Rublevsky" on Chebotarev street in Traktorozavodsky village. But people still managed to get together and march along Winners Avenue in the direction of the Independence Palace. For more than an hour and a half, the protesters stood peacefully while chanting slogans and waiving flags in front of the security forces' barriers, then began to disperse. After about a hundred people remained at the Palace, police forces began to push back. A large number of "tikhari" and riot policemen came out of the security perimeter and started pushing and shoving people "out of the way" towards the Victory Park and near Lake Komsomolskoye. Protesters showing resistance were pushed back in through the police line by men in civilian clothing and detained on the spot. People ran into the forested area of the park hoping that they would be able to hide there, but it turned out that this was a planned action of the security forces and the protesters were soon trapped. From the monument's side six police cars, one police bus, two buses of the police department, five police minibuses and other vehicles of power structures emerged, closing in the perimeter on remaining crowds. People were forced out of the woods and amassed on the lakeshore, where they were surrounded by police. Mass arrests ensued, once again women were only detained but men were beaten, including those who did not show violence or resistance, as an exemplary measure. Numerous protesters jumped into the water in order to avoid detention, and were subsequently rescued by the local OSVOD ("Water monitoring and rescue service") awho transported them to the other side of the lake. Rough detentions were carried out in other districts of Minsk as well. Especially cruel detentions were carried out near the metro station "Nemiga", where people retreated after the action. Some of the protesters were overpowered and beaten by people in civilian clothes, who came as if to protest as well, but later turned out to be wearing bulletproof vests and armed with batons. They acted with brute force and often in the presence of uniformed police officers who did not intervene. Russian blogger and journalist Alexei Romanov was detained near Komsomolskoye Lake. He was taken to the detention center on Akrestsin Street. Two hours later, Alexei Romanov and the rest of the detainees with Russian citizenship were released. This allegedly happened due to the pressure of the employees of the Russian embassy, who arrived at the detention center. In the evening a news spread that rescuers who were pulling protesters out of the water in river Svislach were detained as well. At least eight employees of the station of the water rescue organization, located on Lake Komsomolskoye, were taken to the Central District Department of Internal Affairs of Minsk. Later, one of the rescuers was taken to the ambulance with a dislocated shoulder. The other was almost unconscious. Another elderly rescuer had cardiovascular issues. According to relatives, the head of OSVOD rescue station Denis Cheshun was taken from the Central District Department of Internal Affairs to Akrestino. All the rescuers are being charged with criminal code articles for disobedience, as appartenly they did not hand over people to riot police. During the protests in Minsk, several people took refuge in the O'Petit coffee shop on Nemiga Street, locking all the doors from the inside. Soon about ten law enforcement officers in civilian clothes and masks approached the institution. Called out by police protesters refused to unlock the door, so the head of the GUBOPiK of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Nikolai Karpenkov personally smashed the glass section with a truncheon. According to eyewitness reports, police brutally withdrawn protestors using physical force. This conflict was the first in 29 days of protests in which damage was caused to a public facility. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, on 6 September 633 people were detained "for participating in unauthorized mass events". 363 detainees were placed in places of detention awaiting trial for administrative offenses. According to them, a total of 42 protest actions were recorded in various settlements of the country, and the total number of participants was about 31,000 people.
On 7 September, Maria Kolesnikova was abducted by unknown assailants in Minsk. Masked men kidnapped her and drove off in a van. The Police in Minsk denied the claims.
|
|
| 977241509 |
2020-09-07T18:45:07Z |
265811(-1) |
15065(0) |
630(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 977244735 |
2020-09-07T19:05:58Z |
265811(0) |
15065(0) |
630(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 977247335 |
2020-09-07T19:25:39Z |
265835(24) |
15065(0) |
630(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 977247938 |
2020-09-07T19:30:40Z |
265477(-358) |
15065(0) |
629(-1) |
|
|
|
|
| 977263725 |
2020-09-07T21:25:19Z |
264761(-716) |
14938(-127) |
629(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place all over Belarus. The protesters came out in cities such as Baranovichi, Beloozersk, Bobruisk, Brest, Vitebsk, Volkovysk, Glubokoe, Gomel, Grodno, Zhodino, Kobrin, Lida, Lyakhovichi, Minsk, Mogilev, Mozyr, Molodcheno, Novogrudok, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Svetlogorsk, Smorgon, Soligorsk and others. According to the newspaper "Nasha Niva" in regional centers, about 6,000 people took part in the march in Gomel, about 4,000 in Grodno, about 3,000 in Brest, as well as in Vitebsk and Mogilev, and more than 100,000 gathered in Minsk. According to journalists and observers, the demonstration in the center of the capital was as numerous as in previous Sunday marches, from 170 to 200 thousand people took to the streets. More than 170 thousand people confirmed their participation in the marches on the online platform "Golos" ("Voice") alone. Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk. Independence and Victory Squares were closed in advance and surrounded by metal barriers while Oktyabrskaya Square and the territories near the monument "Hero City of Minsk" and the Palace of Independence were also surrounded by pressured water trucks wielding Rubezh anti-riot barriers. At 14:35, the mobile Internet of the A1 operator was disconnected. Users of other mobile operators also reported the termination of Internet services. Also from 12:30 pm to 6:00 pm six metro stations were out of service and trains did not stop at them. This time, the security forces used a different tactic. Throughout the city riot policemen attempted to disperse the columns from within the residential areas before the protesters had a chance to march to the city centers. Violent detentions with beating of people were observed near the metro stations "Pushkinskaya" and "Vostok", near the supermarket "Rublevsky" on Chebotarev street in Traktorozavodsky village. But people still managed to get together and march along Winners Avenue in the direction of the Independence Palace. For more than an hour and a half, the protesters stood peacefully while chanting slogans and waiving flags in front of the security forces' barriers, then began to disperse. After about a hundred people remained at the Palace, police forces began to push back. A large number of "tikhari" and riot policemen came out of the security perimeter and started pushing and shoving people "out of the way" towards the Victory Park and near Lake Komsomolskoye. Protesters showing resistance were pushed back in through the police line by men in civilian clothing and detained on the spot. People ran into the forested area of the park hoping that they would be able to hide there, but it turned out that this was a planned action of the security forces and the protesters were soon trapped. From the monument's side six police cars, one police bus, two buses of the police department, five police minibuses and other vehicles of power structures emerged, closing in the perimeter on remaining crowds. People were forced out of the woods and amassed on the lakeshore, where they were surrounded by police. Mass arrests ensued, once again women were only detained but men were beaten, including those who did not show violence or resistance, as an exemplary measure. Numerous protesters jumped into the water in order to avoid detention, and were subsequently rescued by the local OSVOD ("Water monitoring and rescue service") awho transported them to the other side of the lake. Rough detentions were carried out in other districts of Minsk as well. Especially cruel detentions were carried out near the metro station "Nemiga", where people retreated after the action. Some of the protesters were overpowered and beaten by people in civilian clothes, who came as if to protest as well, but later turned out to be wearing bulletproof vests and armed with batons. They acted with brute force and often in the presence of uniformed police officers who did not intervene. Russian blogger and journalist Alexei Romanov was detained near Komsomolskoye Lake. He was taken to the detention center on Akrestsin Street. Two hours later, Alexei Romanov and the rest of the detainees with Russian citizenship were released. This allegedly happened due to the pressure of the employees of the Russian embassy, who arrived at the detention center. In the evening a news spread that rescuers who were pulling protesters out of the water in river Svislach were detained as well. At least eight employees of the station of the water rescue organization, located on Lake Komsomolskoye, were taken to the Central District Department of Internal Affairs of Minsk. Later, one of the rescuers was taken to the ambulance with a dislocated shoulder. The other was almost unconscious. Another elderly rescuer had cardiovascular issues. According to relatives, the head of OSVOD rescue station Denis Cheshun was taken from the Central District Department of Internal Affairs to Akrestino. All the rescuers are being charged with criminal code articles for disobedience, as appartenly they did not hand over people to riot police. During the protests in Minsk, several people took refuge in the O'Petit coffee shop on Nemiga Street, locking all the doors from the inside. Soon about ten law enforcement officers in civilian clothes and masks approached the institution. Called out by police protesters refused to unlock the door, so the head of the GUBOPiK of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Nikolai Karpenkov personally smashed the glass section with a truncheon. According to eyewitness reports, police brutally withdrawn protestors using physical force. This conflict was the first in 29 days of protests in which damage was caused to a public facility. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, on 6 September 633 people were detained "for participating in unauthorized mass events". 363 detainees were placed in places of detention awaiting trial for administrative offenses. According to them, a total of 42 protest actions were recorded in various settlements of the country, and the total number of participants was about 31,000 people.
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On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place. According to newspaper "Nasha Niva", about 6,000 people participated in the march in Gomel, about 4,000 in Grodno, about 3,000 in Brest, as well as in Vitebsk and Mogilev, and more than 100,000 gathered in Minsk. Other cities include Baranovichi, Beloozersk, Bobruisk, Volkovysk, Glubokoye, Zhodino, Kobrin, Lida, Lyakhovichi, Mozyr, Molodcheno, Novogrudok, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Svetlogorsk, Smorgon, Soligorsk and others. The demonstration in the center of the capital was as numerous as in previous Sunday marches, from 170 to 200 thousand people took to the streets. More than 170,000 confirmed their participation in the marches on the online platform "Golos" ("Voice") alone. Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk. Independence and Victory Squares were closed in advance and surrounded by metal barriers while Oktyabrskaya Square and the territories near the monument "Hero City of Minsk" and the Palace of Independence were occupied by pressured water trucks wielding Rubezh anti-riot barriers. At 14:35, mobile internet of the A1 operator was disconnected. Users of other mobile operators also reported internet lockup. In the afternoon six metro stations were closed and trains did not stop at them. Throughout the city riot policemen attempted to disperse the columns from within the residential areas preventing protesters from reaching city centers. Violent detentions with beating of people were observed near the metro stations "Pushkinskaya" and "Vostok", near the supermarket "Rublevsky" on Chebotarev street in Traktorozavodsky village. However, people still managed to get together and march along Winners Avenue in the direction of the Independence Palace. For more than an hour and a half, protesters stood peacefully while chanting slogans and waiving flags in front of the security forces' barriers, then began to disperse. After about a hundred people remained at the Palace, a large number of "tikhari" and riot policemen came out of the security perimeter and started pushing and shoving people "out of the way" towards the Victory Park and near Lake Komsomolskoye. Protesters showing resistance were pulled back in through the police line and forcedly put in detention vans. People dispersed into a wooded area of the park hoping that they would be able to hide there. However, orderly forces foresaw this and trapped fugitives in a restricted zone around the monument. Police presence at that time included six cars, three buses, five vans and other vehicles. They closed in the perimeter on remaining crowds, forcing people to amass on the lakeside. Mass arrests ensued, once again women were only detained but men were beaten, including those who did not show violence or resistance, as an exemplary measure. Numerous protesters jumped into the water in order to avoid detention, and were subsequently rescued by the local safety volunteers who transported them to the other side of the lake. Rough detentions were carried out in other districts of Minsk as well. Near the metro station "Nemiga" they took an especially cruel turn, where people retreated after the action. Some of the protesters were overpowered and beaten by people in civilian clothes, who came as if to protest as well, but later turned out to be wearing bulletproof vests and armed with batons. Their excessive aggression was purportedly overlooked by nearby police presence. Russian blogger and journalist Alexei Romanov was detained near Komsomolskoye Lake. He was taken to the detention center on Akrestsin Street. Two hours later, Alexei Romanov and the rest of the detainees with Russian citizenship were released. This allegedly happened due to the pressure of the employees of the Russian embassy, who arrived at the detention center. In the evening volunteer rescuers who helped protesters out of the water were detained as well. At least eight employees of the station of the water rescue organization, located on Lake Komsomolskoye, were taken to the Central District Department in Minsk. Later, one of the rescuers wound up in an ambulance with a dislocated shoulder. The other was almost unconscious. Another elderly rescuer had cardiovascular issues. According to relatives, the head of OSVOD rescue station Denis Cheshun was driven from CDD to Akrestino. All the rescuers are being charged with disobedience, as apparently they did not hand over people to riot police. During the protests in Minsk, several people took refuge in the O'Petit coffee shop on Nemiga Street, locking all the doors from the inside. Soon about ten law enforcement officers in civilian clothes and masks approached the institution. Called out by police protesters refused to unlock the door, so the head of the Lead Department of Organized Crime Prevention Nikolai Karpenkov personally smashed the glass section with a truncheon. According to eyewitness reports, police brutally ousted protestors using physical force. This conflict was the first in 29 days of protests in which damage was caused to a public facility. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 633 people were detained "for participating in unauthorized mass events" that day. 363 detainees were placed under custody awaiting trial for administrative offenses. A total of 42 protest actions were recorded in various settlements of the country, and the total number of 31,000 people broke the law one way or another.
|
|
| 977264678 |
2020-09-07T21:33:14Z |
264765(4) |
14938(0) |
629(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
|
|
|
| 977266461 |
2020-09-07T21:47:19Z |
264709(-56) |
14925(-13) |
629(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place. According to newspaper "Nasha Niva", about 6,000 people participated in the march in Gomel, about 4,000 in Grodno, about 3,000 in Brest, as well as in Vitebsk and Mogilev, and more than 100,000 gathered in Minsk. Other cities include Baranovichi, Beloozersk, Bobruisk, Volkovysk, Glubokoye, Zhodino, Kobrin, Lida, Lyakhovichi, Mozyr, Molodcheno, Novogrudok, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Svetlogorsk, Smorgon, Soligorsk and others. The demonstration in the center of the capital was as numerous as in previous Sunday marches, from 170 to 200 thousand people took to the streets. More than 170,000 confirmed their participation in the marches on the online platform "Golos" ("Voice") alone. Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk. Independence and Victory Squares were closed in advance and surrounded by metal barriers while Oktyabrskaya Square and the territories near the monument "Hero City of Minsk" and the Palace of Independence were occupied by pressured water trucks wielding Rubezh anti-riot barriers. At 14:35, mobile internet of the A1 operator was disconnected. Users of other mobile operators also reported internet lockup. In the afternoon six metro stations were closed and trains did not stop at them. Throughout the city riot policemen attempted to disperse the columns from within the residential areas preventing protesters from reaching city centers. Violent detentions with beating of people were observed near the metro stations "Pushkinskaya" and "Vostok", near the supermarket "Rublevsky" on Chebotarev street in Traktorozavodsky village. However, people still managed to get together and march along Winners Avenue in the direction of the Independence Palace. For more than an hour and a half, protesters stood peacefully while chanting slogans and waiving flags in front of the security forces' barriers, then began to disperse. After about a hundred people remained at the Palace, a large number of "tikhari" and riot policemen came out of the security perimeter and started pushing and shoving people "out of the way" towards the Victory Park and near Lake Komsomolskoye. Protesters showing resistance were pulled back in through the police line and forcedly put in detention vans. People dispersed into a wooded area of the park hoping that they would be able to hide there. However, orderly forces foresaw this and trapped fugitives in a restricted zone around the monument. Police presence at that time included six cars, three buses, five vans and other vehicles. They closed in the perimeter on remaining crowds, forcing people to amass on the lakeside. Mass arrests ensued, once again women were only detained but men were beaten, including those who did not show violence or resistance, as an exemplary measure. Numerous protesters jumped into the water in order to avoid detention, and were subsequently rescued by the local safety volunteers who transported them to the other side of the lake. Rough detentions were carried out in other districts of Minsk as well. Near the metro station "Nemiga" they took an especially cruel turn, where people retreated after the action. Some of the protesters were overpowered and beaten by people in civilian clothes, who came as if to protest as well, but later turned out to be wearing bulletproof vests and armed with batons. Their excessive aggression was purportedly overlooked by nearby police presence. Russian blogger and journalist Alexei Romanov was detained near Komsomolskoye Lake. He was taken to the detention center on Akrestsin Street. Two hours later, Alexei Romanov and the rest of the detainees with Russian citizenship were released. This allegedly happened due to the pressure of the employees of the Russian embassy, who arrived at the detention center. In the evening volunteer rescuers who helped protesters out of the water were detained as well. At least eight employees of the station of the water rescue organization, located on Lake Komsomolskoye, were taken to the Central District Department in Minsk. Later, one of the rescuers wound up in an ambulance with a dislocated shoulder. The other was almost unconscious. Another elderly rescuer had cardiovascular issues. According to relatives, the head of OSVOD rescue station Denis Cheshun was driven from CDD to Akrestino. All the rescuers are being charged with disobedience, as apparently they did not hand over people to riot police. During the protests in Minsk, several people took refuge in the O'Petit coffee shop on Nemiga Street, locking all the doors from the inside. Soon about ten law enforcement officers in civilian clothes and masks approached the institution. Called out by police protesters refused to unlock the door, so the head of the Lead Department of Organized Crime Prevention Nikolai Karpenkov personally smashed the glass section with a truncheon. According to eyewitness reports, police brutally ousted protestors using physical force. This conflict was the first in 29 days of protests in which damage was caused to a public facility. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 633 people were detained "for participating in unauthorized mass events" that day. 363 detainees were placed under custody awaiting trial for administrative offenses. A total of 42 protest actions were recorded in various settlements of the country, and the total number of 31,000 people broke the law one way or another.
|
On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place. Patricipation estimates made by newspaper "Nasha Niva" include 6,000 people in Gomel, 4,000 in Grodno, 3,000 in Brest, same in Vitebsk and Mogilev. Marches also took place in Baranovichi, Beloozersk, Bobruisk, Volkovysk, Glubokoye, Zhodino, Kobrin, Lida, Lyakhovichi, Mozyr, Molodcheno, Novogrudok, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Svetlogorsk, Smorgon, Soligorsk and others. While Minsk was reported to have 100,000 gathered at first, later reports list from 170,000 to 200,000 individuals to have participated in the March. More than 170,000 confirmed their participation in the marches on the online platform "Golos" ("Voice") alone. Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk. Independence and Victory Squares were closed in advance and surrounded by metal barriers while Oktyabrskaya Square and the territories near the monument "Hero City of Minsk" and the Palace of Independence were occupied by pressured water trucks wielding Rubezh anti-riot barriers. At 14:35, mobile internet of the A1 operator was disconnected. Users of other mobile operators also reported internet lockup. In the afternoon six metro stations were closed and trains did not stop at them. Throughout the city riot policemen attempted to disperse the columns from within the residential areas preventing protesters from reaching city centers. Violent detentions with beating of people were observed near the metro stations "Pushkinskaya" and "Vostok", near the supermarket "Rublevsky" on Chebotarev street in Traktorozavodsky village. However, people still managed to get together and march along Winners Avenue in the direction of the Independence Palace. For more than an hour and a half, protesters stood peacefully while chanting slogans and waiving flags in front of the security forces' barriers, then began to disperse. After about a hundred people remained at the Palace, a large number of "tikhari" and riot policemen came out of the security perimeter and started pushing and shoving people "out of the way" towards the Victory Park and near Lake Komsomolskoye. Protesters showing resistance were pulled back in through the police line and forcedly put in detention vans. People dispersed into a wooded area of the park hoping that they would be able to hide there. However, orderly forces foresaw this and trapped fugitives in a restricted zone around the monument. Police presence at that time included six cars, three buses, five vans and other vehicles. They closed in the perimeter on remaining crowds, forcing people to amass on the lakeside. Mass arrests ensued, once again women were only detained but men were beaten, including those who did not show violence or resistance, as an exemplary measure. Numerous protesters jumped into the water in order to avoid detention, and were subsequently rescued by the local safety volunteers who transported them to the other side of the lake. Rough detentions were carried out in other districts of Minsk as well. Near the metro station "Nemiga" they took an especially cruel turn, where people retreated after the action. Some of the protesters were overpowered and beaten by people in civilian clothes, who came as if to protest as well, but later turned out to be wearing bulletproof vests and armed with batons. Their excessive aggression was purportedly overlooked by nearby police presence. Russian blogger and journalist Alexei Romanov was detained near Komsomolskoye Lake. He was taken to the detention center on Akrestsin Street. Two hours later, Alexei Romanov and the rest of the detainees with Russian citizenship were released. This allegedly happened due to the pressure of the employees of the Russian embassy, who arrived at the detention center. In the evening volunteer rescuers who helped protesters out of the water were detained as well. At least eight employees of the station of the water rescue organization, located on Lake Komsomolskoye, were taken to the Central District Department in Minsk. Later, one of the rescuers wound up in an ambulance with a dislocated shoulder. The other was almost unconscious. Another elderly rescuer had cardiovascular issues. According to relatives, the head of OSVOD rescue station Denis Cheshun was driven from CDD to Akrestino. All the rescuers are being charged with disobedience, as apparently they did not hand over people to riot police. During the protests in Minsk, several people took refuge in the O'Petit coffee shop on Nemiga Street, locking all the doors from the inside. Soon about ten law enforcement officers in civilian clothes and masks approached the institution. Called out by police protesters refused to unlock the door, so the head of the Lead Department of Organized Crime Prevention Nikolai Karpenkov personally smashed the glass section with a truncheon. According to eyewitness reports, police brutally ousted protestors using physical force. This conflict was the first in 29 days of protests in which damage was caused to a public facility. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 633 people were detained "for participating in unauthorized mass events" that day. 363 detainees were placed under custody awaiting trial for administrative offenses. A total of 42 protest actions were recorded in various settlements of the country, and the total number of 31,000 people broke the law one way or another.
|
|
| 977266702 |
2020-09-07T21:49:17Z |
264706(-3) |
14924(-1) |
629(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place. Patricipation estimates made by newspaper "Nasha Niva" include 6,000 people in Gomel, 4,000 in Grodno, 3,000 in Brest, same in Vitebsk and Mogilev. Marches also took place in Baranovichi, Beloozersk, Bobruisk, Volkovysk, Glubokoye, Zhodino, Kobrin, Lida, Lyakhovichi, Mozyr, Molodcheno, Novogrudok, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Svetlogorsk, Smorgon, Soligorsk and others. While Minsk was reported to have 100,000 gathered at first, later reports list from 170,000 to 200,000 individuals to have participated in the March. More than 170,000 confirmed their participation in the marches on the online platform "Golos" ("Voice") alone. Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk. Independence and Victory Squares were closed in advance and surrounded by metal barriers while Oktyabrskaya Square and the territories near the monument "Hero City of Minsk" and the Palace of Independence were occupied by pressured water trucks wielding Rubezh anti-riot barriers. At 14:35, mobile internet of the A1 operator was disconnected. Users of other mobile operators also reported internet lockup. In the afternoon six metro stations were closed and trains did not stop at them. Throughout the city riot policemen attempted to disperse the columns from within the residential areas preventing protesters from reaching city centers. Violent detentions with beating of people were observed near the metro stations "Pushkinskaya" and "Vostok", near the supermarket "Rublevsky" on Chebotarev street in Traktorozavodsky village. However, people still managed to get together and march along Winners Avenue in the direction of the Independence Palace. For more than an hour and a half, protesters stood peacefully while chanting slogans and waiving flags in front of the security forces' barriers, then began to disperse. After about a hundred people remained at the Palace, a large number of "tikhari" and riot policemen came out of the security perimeter and started pushing and shoving people "out of the way" towards the Victory Park and near Lake Komsomolskoye. Protesters showing resistance were pulled back in through the police line and forcedly put in detention vans. People dispersed into a wooded area of the park hoping that they would be able to hide there. However, orderly forces foresaw this and trapped fugitives in a restricted zone around the monument. Police presence at that time included six cars, three buses, five vans and other vehicles. They closed in the perimeter on remaining crowds, forcing people to amass on the lakeside. Mass arrests ensued, once again women were only detained but men were beaten, including those who did not show violence or resistance, as an exemplary measure. Numerous protesters jumped into the water in order to avoid detention, and were subsequently rescued by the local safety volunteers who transported them to the other side of the lake. Rough detentions were carried out in other districts of Minsk as well. Near the metro station "Nemiga" they took an especially cruel turn, where people retreated after the action. Some of the protesters were overpowered and beaten by people in civilian clothes, who came as if to protest as well, but later turned out to be wearing bulletproof vests and armed with batons. Their excessive aggression was purportedly overlooked by nearby police presence. Russian blogger and journalist Alexei Romanov was detained near Komsomolskoye Lake. He was taken to the detention center on Akrestsin Street. Two hours later, Alexei Romanov and the rest of the detainees with Russian citizenship were released. This allegedly happened due to the pressure of the employees of the Russian embassy, who arrived at the detention center. In the evening volunteer rescuers who helped protesters out of the water were detained as well. At least eight employees of the station of the water rescue organization, located on Lake Komsomolskoye, were taken to the Central District Department in Minsk. Later, one of the rescuers wound up in an ambulance with a dislocated shoulder. The other was almost unconscious. Another elderly rescuer had cardiovascular issues. According to relatives, the head of OSVOD rescue station Denis Cheshun was driven from CDD to Akrestino. All the rescuers are being charged with disobedience, as apparently they did not hand over people to riot police. During the protests in Minsk, several people took refuge in the O'Petit coffee shop on Nemiga Street, locking all the doors from the inside. Soon about ten law enforcement officers in civilian clothes and masks approached the institution. Called out by police protesters refused to unlock the door, so the head of the Lead Department of Organized Crime Prevention Nikolai Karpenkov personally smashed the glass section with a truncheon. According to eyewitness reports, police brutally ousted protestors using physical force. This conflict was the first in 29 days of protests in which damage was caused to a public facility. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 633 people were detained "for participating in unauthorized mass events" that day. 363 detainees were placed under custody awaiting trial for administrative offenses. A total of 42 protest actions were recorded in various settlements of the country, and the total number of 31,000 people broke the law one way or another.
|
On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place. Patricipation estimates made by newspaper "Nasha Niva" include 6,000 people in Gomel, 4,000 in Grodno, 3,000 in Brest, same in Vitebsk and Mogilev. Marches also took place in Baranovichi, Beloozersk, Bobruisk, Volkovysk, Glubokoye, Zhodino, Kobrin, Lida, Lyakhovichi, Mozyr, Molodcheno, Novogrudok, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Svetlogorsk, Smorgon, Soligorsk and others. While Minsk was reported to have 100,000 gathered at first, later reports list from 170,000 to 200,000 individuals to have participated in the March. About the same number of protesters confirmed their participation on the online platform "Golos" ("Voice"). Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk. Independence and Victory Squares were closed in advance and surrounded by metal barriers while Oktyabrskaya Square and the territories near the monument "Hero City of Minsk" and the Palace of Independence were occupied by pressured water trucks wielding Rubezh anti-riot barriers. At 14:35, mobile internet of the A1 operator was disconnected. Users of other mobile operators also reported internet lockup. In the afternoon six metro stations were closed and trains did not stop at them. Throughout the city riot policemen attempted to disperse the columns from within the residential areas preventing protesters from reaching city centers. Violent detentions with beating of people were observed near the metro stations "Pushkinskaya" and "Vostok", near the supermarket "Rublevsky" on Chebotarev street in Traktorozavodsky village. However, people still managed to get together and march along Winners Avenue in the direction of the Independence Palace. For more than an hour and a half, protesters stood peacefully while chanting slogans and waiving flags in front of the security forces' barriers, then began to disperse. After about a hundred people remained at the Palace, a large number of "tikhari" and riot policemen came out of the security perimeter and started pushing and shoving people "out of the way" towards the Victory Park and near Lake Komsomolskoye. Protesters showing resistance were pulled back in through the police line and forcedly put in detention vans. People dispersed into a wooded area of the park hoping that they would be able to hide there. However, orderly forces foresaw this and trapped fugitives in a restricted zone around the monument. Police presence at that time included six cars, three buses, five vans and other vehicles. They closed in the perimeter on remaining crowds, forcing people to amass on the lakeside. Mass arrests ensued, once again women were only detained but men were beaten, including those who did not show violence or resistance, as an exemplary measure. Numerous protesters jumped into the water in order to avoid detention, and were subsequently rescued by the local safety volunteers who transported them to the other side of the lake. Rough detentions were carried out in other districts of Minsk as well. Near the metro station "Nemiga" they took an especially cruel turn, where people retreated after the action. Some of the protesters were overpowered and beaten by people in civilian clothes, who came as if to protest as well, but later turned out to be wearing bulletproof vests and armed with batons. Their excessive aggression was purportedly overlooked by nearby police presence. Russian blogger and journalist Alexei Romanov was detained near Komsomolskoye Lake. He was taken to the detention center on Akrestsin Street. Two hours later, Alexei Romanov and the rest of the detainees with Russian citizenship were released. This allegedly happened due to the pressure of the employees of the Russian embassy, who arrived at the detention center. In the evening volunteer rescuers who helped protesters out of the water were detained as well. At least eight employees of the station of the water rescue organization, located on Lake Komsomolskoye, were taken to the Central District Department in Minsk. Later, one of the rescuers wound up in an ambulance with a dislocated shoulder. The other was almost unconscious. Another elderly rescuer had cardiovascular issues. According to relatives, the head of OSVOD rescue station Denis Cheshun was driven from CDD to Akrestino. All the rescuers are being charged with disobedience, as apparently they did not hand over people to riot police. During the protests in Minsk, several people took refuge in the O'Petit coffee shop on Nemiga Street, locking all the doors from the inside. Soon about ten law enforcement officers in civilian clothes and masks approached the institution. Called out by police protesters refused to unlock the door, so the head of the Lead Department of Organized Crime Prevention Nikolai Karpenkov personally smashed the glass section with a truncheon. According to eyewitness reports, police brutally ousted protestors using physical force. This conflict was the first in 29 days of protests in which damage was caused to a public facility. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 633 people were detained "for participating in unauthorized mass events" that day. 363 detainees were placed under custody awaiting trial for administrative offenses. A total of 42 protest actions were recorded in various settlements of the country, and the total number of 31,000 people broke the law one way or another.
|
|
| 977267190 |
2020-09-07T21:53:50Z |
264702(-4) |
14923(-1) |
629(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place. Patricipation estimates made by newspaper "Nasha Niva" include 6,000 people in Gomel, 4,000 in Grodno, 3,000 in Brest, same in Vitebsk and Mogilev. Marches also took place in Baranovichi, Beloozersk, Bobruisk, Volkovysk, Glubokoye, Zhodino, Kobrin, Lida, Lyakhovichi, Mozyr, Molodcheno, Novogrudok, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Svetlogorsk, Smorgon, Soligorsk and others. While Minsk was reported to have 100,000 gathered at first, later reports list from 170,000 to 200,000 individuals to have participated in the March. About the same number of protesters confirmed their participation on the online platform "Golos" ("Voice"). Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk. Independence and Victory Squares were closed in advance and surrounded by metal barriers while Oktyabrskaya Square and the territories near the monument "Hero City of Minsk" and the Palace of Independence were occupied by pressured water trucks wielding Rubezh anti-riot barriers. At 14:35, mobile internet of the A1 operator was disconnected. Users of other mobile operators also reported internet lockup. In the afternoon six metro stations were closed and trains did not stop at them. Throughout the city riot policemen attempted to disperse the columns from within the residential areas preventing protesters from reaching city centers. Violent detentions with beating of people were observed near the metro stations "Pushkinskaya" and "Vostok", near the supermarket "Rublevsky" on Chebotarev street in Traktorozavodsky village. However, people still managed to get together and march along Winners Avenue in the direction of the Independence Palace. For more than an hour and a half, protesters stood peacefully while chanting slogans and waiving flags in front of the security forces' barriers, then began to disperse. After about a hundred people remained at the Palace, a large number of "tikhari" and riot policemen came out of the security perimeter and started pushing and shoving people "out of the way" towards the Victory Park and near Lake Komsomolskoye. Protesters showing resistance were pulled back in through the police line and forcedly put in detention vans. People dispersed into a wooded area of the park hoping that they would be able to hide there. However, orderly forces foresaw this and trapped fugitives in a restricted zone around the monument. Police presence at that time included six cars, three buses, five vans and other vehicles. They closed in the perimeter on remaining crowds, forcing people to amass on the lakeside. Mass arrests ensued, once again women were only detained but men were beaten, including those who did not show violence or resistance, as an exemplary measure. Numerous protesters jumped into the water in order to avoid detention, and were subsequently rescued by the local safety volunteers who transported them to the other side of the lake. Rough detentions were carried out in other districts of Minsk as well. Near the metro station "Nemiga" they took an especially cruel turn, where people retreated after the action. Some of the protesters were overpowered and beaten by people in civilian clothes, who came as if to protest as well, but later turned out to be wearing bulletproof vests and armed with batons. Their excessive aggression was purportedly overlooked by nearby police presence. Russian blogger and journalist Alexei Romanov was detained near Komsomolskoye Lake. He was taken to the detention center on Akrestsin Street. Two hours later, Alexei Romanov and the rest of the detainees with Russian citizenship were released. This allegedly happened due to the pressure of the employees of the Russian embassy, who arrived at the detention center. In the evening volunteer rescuers who helped protesters out of the water were detained as well. At least eight employees of the station of the water rescue organization, located on Lake Komsomolskoye, were taken to the Central District Department in Minsk. Later, one of the rescuers wound up in an ambulance with a dislocated shoulder. The other was almost unconscious. Another elderly rescuer had cardiovascular issues. According to relatives, the head of OSVOD rescue station Denis Cheshun was driven from CDD to Akrestino. All the rescuers are being charged with disobedience, as apparently they did not hand over people to riot police. During the protests in Minsk, several people took refuge in the O'Petit coffee shop on Nemiga Street, locking all the doors from the inside. Soon about ten law enforcement officers in civilian clothes and masks approached the institution. Called out by police protesters refused to unlock the door, so the head of the Lead Department of Organized Crime Prevention Nikolai Karpenkov personally smashed the glass section with a truncheon. According to eyewitness reports, police brutally ousted protestors using physical force. This conflict was the first in 29 days of protests in which damage was caused to a public facility. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 633 people were detained "for participating in unauthorized mass events" that day. 363 detainees were placed under custody awaiting trial for administrative offenses. A total of 42 protest actions were recorded in various settlements of the country, and the total number of 31,000 people broke the law one way or another.
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On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place. Patricipation estimates made by newspaper "Nasha Niva" include 6,000 people in Gomel, 4,000 in Grodno, 3,000 in Brest, same in Vitebsk and Mogilev. Marches also took place in Baranovichi, Beloozersk, Bobruisk, Volkovysk, Glubokoye, Zhodino, Kobrin, Lida, Lyakhovichi, Mozyr, Molodcheno, Novogrudok, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Svetlogorsk, Smorgon, Soligorsk and others. While Minsk was reported to have 100,000 gathered at first, later reports list from 170,000 to 200,000 individuals to have participated in the March. About the same number of protesters confirmed their participation on the online platform "Golos" ("Voice"). Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk. Independence and Victory Squares were closed in advance and surrounded by metal barriers while Oktyabrskaya Square and the territories near the monument "Hero City of Minsk" and the Palace of Independence were occupied by pressured water trucks wielding Rubezh anti-riot barriers. At 14:35, mobile internet of the A1 operator was disconnected. Users of other mobile operators also reported internet lockup. In the afternoon six metro stations were closed and trains did not stop at them. Throughout the city riot policemen attempted to disperse the columns from within the residential areas preventing protesters from reaching city centers. Violent detentions with beating of people were observed near the metro stations "Pushkinskaya" and "Vostok", near the supermarket "Rublevsky" on Chebotarev street in Traktorozavodsky village. However, people still managed to get together and march along Winners Avenue in the direction of the Independence Palace. For more than an hour and a half, protesters stood peacefully while chanting slogans and waiving flags in front of the security forces' barriers, then began to disperse. After about a hundred people remained at the Palace, a large number of "tikhari" and riot policemen came out of the security perimeter and started pushing and shoving people "out of the way" towards the Victory Park and near Lake Komsomolskoye. Protesters showing resistance were pulled back in through the police line and forcedly put in detention vans. People dispersed into a wooded area of the park hoping that they would be able to hide there. However, orderly forces foresaw this and trapped fugitives in a restricted zone around the monument. Police presence at that time included six cars, three buses, five vans and other vehicles. They closed in the perimeter on remaining crowds, forcing people to amass on the lakeside. Mass arrests ensued, once again women were only detained but men were beaten, including those who did not show violence or resistance, as an exemplary measure. Numerous protesters jumped into the water in order to avoid detention, and were subsequently rescued by the local safety volunteers who transported them to the other side of the lake. Rough detentions were carried out in other districts of Minsk as well. Near "Nemiga" metro station (where people retreated after the march) they took an especially cruel turn. Some of the protesters were overpowered and beaten by people in civilian clothes, who came as if to protest as well, but later turned out to be wearing bulletproof vests and armed with batons. Their excessive aggression was purportedly overlooked by nearby police presence. Russian blogger and journalist Alexei Romanov was detained near Komsomolskoye Lake. He was taken to the detention center on Akrestsin Street. Two hours later, Alexei Romanov and the rest of the detainees with Russian citizenship were released. This allegedly happened due to the pressure of the employees of the Russian embassy, who arrived at the detention center. In the evening volunteer rescuers who helped protesters out of the water were detained as well. At least eight employees of the station of the water rescue organization, located on Lake Komsomolskoye, were taken to the Central District Department in Minsk. Later, one of the rescuers wound up in an ambulance with a dislocated shoulder. The other was almost unconscious. Another elderly rescuer had cardiovascular issues. According to relatives, the head of OSVOD rescue station Denis Cheshun was driven from CDD to Akrestino. All the rescuers are being charged with disobedience, as apparently they did not hand over people to riot police. During the protests in Minsk, several people took refuge in the O'Petit coffee shop on Nemiga Street, locking all the doors from the inside. Soon about ten law enforcement officers in civilian clothes and masks approached the institution. Called out by police protesters refused to unlock the door, so the head of the Lead Department of Organized Crime Prevention Nikolai Karpenkov personally smashed the glass section with a truncheon. According to eyewitness reports, police brutally ousted protestors using physical force. This conflict was the first in 29 days of protests in which damage was caused to a public facility. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 633 people were detained "for participating in unauthorized mass events" that day. 363 detainees were placed under custody awaiting trial for administrative offenses. A total of 42 protest actions were recorded in various settlements of the country, and the total number of 31,000 people broke the law one way or another.
|
|
| 977268422 |
2020-09-07T22:04:19Z |
264694(-8) |
14923(0) |
629(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
|
|
|
| 977268948 |
2020-09-07T22:08:30Z |
264678(-16) |
14922(-1) |
629(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place. Patricipation estimates made by newspaper "Nasha Niva" include 6,000 people in Gomel, 4,000 in Grodno, 3,000 in Brest, same in Vitebsk and Mogilev. Marches also took place in Baranovichi, Beloozersk, Bobruisk, Volkovysk, Glubokoye, Zhodino, Kobrin, Lida, Lyakhovichi, Mozyr, Molodcheno, Novogrudok, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Svetlogorsk, Smorgon, Soligorsk and others. While Minsk was reported to have 100,000 gathered at first, later reports list from 170,000 to 200,000 individuals to have participated in the March. About the same number of protesters confirmed their participation on the online platform "Golos" ("Voice"). Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk. Independence and Victory Squares were closed in advance and surrounded by metal barriers while Oktyabrskaya Square and the territories near the monument "Hero City of Minsk" and the Palace of Independence were occupied by pressured water trucks wielding Rubezh anti-riot barriers. At 14:35, mobile internet of the A1 operator was disconnected. Users of other mobile operators also reported internet lockup. In the afternoon six metro stations were closed and trains did not stop at them. Throughout the city riot policemen attempted to disperse the columns from within the residential areas preventing protesters from reaching city centers. Violent detentions with beating of people were observed near the metro stations "Pushkinskaya" and "Vostok", near the supermarket "Rublevsky" on Chebotarev street in Traktorozavodsky village. However, people still managed to get together and march along Winners Avenue in the direction of the Independence Palace. For more than an hour and a half, protesters stood peacefully while chanting slogans and waiving flags in front of the security forces' barriers, then began to disperse. After about a hundred people remained at the Palace, a large number of "tikhari" and riot policemen came out of the security perimeter and started pushing and shoving people "out of the way" towards the Victory Park and near Lake Komsomolskoye. Protesters showing resistance were pulled back in through the police line and forcedly put in detention vans. People dispersed into a wooded area of the park hoping that they would be able to hide there. However, orderly forces foresaw this and trapped fugitives in a restricted zone around the monument. Police presence at that time included six cars, three buses, five vans and other vehicles. They closed in the perimeter on remaining crowds, forcing people to amass on the lakeside. Mass arrests ensued, once again women were only detained but men were beaten, including those who did not show violence or resistance, as an exemplary measure. Numerous protesters jumped into the water in order to avoid detention, and were subsequently rescued by the local safety volunteers who transported them to the other side of the lake. Rough detentions were carried out in other districts of Minsk as well. Near "Nemiga" metro station (where people retreated after the march) they took an especially cruel turn. Some of the protesters were overpowered and beaten by people in civilian clothes, who came as if to protest as well, but later turned out to be wearing bulletproof vests and armed with batons. Their excessive aggression was purportedly overlooked by nearby police presence. Russian blogger and journalist Alexei Romanov was detained near Komsomolskoye Lake. He was taken to the detention center on Akrestsin Street. Two hours later, Alexei Romanov and the rest of the detainees with Russian citizenship were released. This allegedly happened due to the pressure of the employees of the Russian embassy, who arrived at the detention center. In the evening volunteer rescuers who helped protesters out of the water were detained as well. At least eight employees of the station of the water rescue organization, located on Lake Komsomolskoye, were taken to the Central District Department in Minsk. Later, one of the rescuers wound up in an ambulance with a dislocated shoulder. The other was almost unconscious. Another elderly rescuer had cardiovascular issues. According to relatives, the head of OSVOD rescue station Denis Cheshun was driven from CDD to Akrestino. All the rescuers are being charged with disobedience, as apparently they did not hand over people to riot police. During the protests in Minsk, several people took refuge in the O'Petit coffee shop on Nemiga Street, locking all the doors from the inside. Soon about ten law enforcement officers in civilian clothes and masks approached the institution. Called out by police protesters refused to unlock the door, so the head of the Lead Department of Organized Crime Prevention Nikolai Karpenkov personally smashed the glass section with a truncheon. According to eyewitness reports, police brutally ousted protestors using physical force. This conflict was the first in 29 days of protests in which damage was caused to a public facility. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 633 people were detained "for participating in unauthorized mass events" that day. 363 detainees were placed under custody awaiting trial for administrative offenses. A total of 42 protest actions were recorded in various settlements of the country, and the total number of 31,000 people broke the law one way or another.
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On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place. Patricipation estimates made by newspaper "Nasha Niva" include 6,000 people in Gomel, 4,000 in Grodno, 3,000 in Brest, same in Vitebsk and Mogilev. Marches also took place in Baranovichi, Beloozersk, Bobruisk, Volkovysk, Glubokoye, Zhodino, Kobrin, Lida, Lyakhovichi, Mozyr, Molodcheno, Novogrudok, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Svetlogorsk, Smorgon, Soligorsk and others. While Minsk was reported to have 100,000 gathered at first, later reports list from 170,000 to 200,000 individuals to have participated in the March. About the same number of protesters confirmed their participation on the online platform "Golos" ("Voice"). Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk. Independence and Victory Squares were closed in advance and surrounded by metal barriers while Oktyabrskaya Square, an area around "Hero City of Minsk" monument as well as the Palace of Independence were occupied by water trucks wielding Rubezh anti-riot barriers. At 14:35, mobile internet of the A1 operator was disconnected. Users of other mobile operators also reported internet lockup. In the afternoon six metro stations were closed and trains did not stop at them. Throughout the city riot policemen attempted to disperse the columns from within the residential areas preventing protesters from reaching city centers. Violent detentions with beating of people were observed near the metro stations "Pushkinskaya" and "Vostok", near the supermarket "Rublevsky" on Chebotarev street in Traktorozavodsky village. However, people still managed to get together and march along Winners Avenue in the direction of the Independence Palace. For more than an hour and a half, protesters stood peacefully while chanting slogans and waiving flags in front of the security forces' barriers, then began to disperse. After about a hundred people remained at the Palace, a large number of "tikhari" and riot policemen came out of the security perimeter and started pushing and shoving people "out of the way" towards the Victory Park and near Lake Komsomolskoye. Protesters showing resistance were pulled back in through the police line and forcedly put in detention vans. People dispersed into a wooded area of the park hoping that they would be able to hide there. However, orderly forces foresaw this and trapped fugitives in a restricted zone around the monument. Police presence at that time included six cars, three buses, five vans and other vehicles. They closed in the perimeter on remaining crowds, forcing people to amass on the lakeside. Mass arrests ensued, once again women were only detained but men were beaten, including those who did not show violence or resistance, as an exemplary measure. Numerous protesters jumped into the water in order to avoid detention, and were subsequently rescued by the local safety volunteers who transported them to the other side of the lake. Rough detentions were carried out in other districts of Minsk as well. Near "Nemiga" metro station (where people retreated after the march) they took an especially cruel turn. Some of the protesters were overpowered and beaten by people in civilian clothes, who came as if to protest as well, but later turned out to be wearing bulletproof vests and armed with batons. Their excessive aggression was purportedly overlooked by nearby police presence. Russian blogger and journalist Alexei Romanov was detained near Komsomolskoye Lake. He was taken to the detention center on Akrestsin Street. Two hours later, Alexei Romanov and the rest of the detainees with Russian citizenship were released. This allegedly happened due to the pressure of the employees of the Russian embassy, who arrived at the detention center. In the evening volunteer rescuers who helped protesters out of the water were detained as well. At least eight employees of the station of the water rescue organization, located on Lake Komsomolskoye, were taken to the Central District Department in Minsk. Later, one of the rescuers wound up in an ambulance with a dislocated shoulder. The other was almost unconscious. Another elderly rescuer had cardiovascular issues. According to relatives, the head of OSVOD rescue station Denis Cheshun was driven from CDD to Akrestino. All the rescuers are being charged with disobedience, as apparently they did not hand over people to riot police. During the protests in Minsk, several people took refuge in the O'Petit coffee shop on Nemiga Street, locking all the doors from the inside. Soon about ten law enforcement officers in civilian clothes and masks approached the institution. Called out by police protesters refused to unlock the door, so the head of the Lead Department of Organized Crime Prevention Nikolai Karpenkov personally smashed the glass section with a truncheon. According to eyewitness reports, police brutally ousted protestors using physical force. This conflict was the first in 29 days of protests in which damage was caused to a public facility. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 633 people were detained "for participating in unauthorized mass events" that day. 363 detainees were placed under custody awaiting trial for administrative offenses. A total of 42 protest actions were recorded in various settlements of the country, and the total number of 31,000 people broke the law one way or another.
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|
| 977269257 |
2020-09-07T22:11:23Z |
264677(-1) |
14922(0) |
629(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place. Patricipation estimates made by newspaper "Nasha Niva" include 6,000 people in Gomel, 4,000 in Grodno, 3,000 in Brest, same in Vitebsk and Mogilev. Marches also took place in Baranovichi, Beloozersk, Bobruisk, Volkovysk, Glubokoye, Zhodino, Kobrin, Lida, Lyakhovichi, Mozyr, Molodcheno, Novogrudok, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Svetlogorsk, Smorgon, Soligorsk and others. While Minsk was reported to have 100,000 gathered at first, later reports list from 170,000 to 200,000 individuals to have participated in the March. About the same number of protesters confirmed their participation on the online platform "Golos" ("Voice"). Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk. Independence and Victory Squares were closed in advance and surrounded by metal barriers while Oktyabrskaya Square, an area around "Hero City of Minsk" monument as well as the Palace of Independence were occupied by water trucks wielding Rubezh anti-riot barriers. At 14:35, mobile internet of the A1 operator was disconnected. Users of other mobile operators also reported internet lockup. In the afternoon six metro stations were closed and trains did not stop at them. Throughout the city riot policemen attempted to disperse the columns from within the residential areas preventing protesters from reaching city centers. Violent detentions with beating of people were observed near the metro stations "Pushkinskaya" and "Vostok", near the supermarket "Rublevsky" on Chebotarev street in Traktorozavodsky village. However, people still managed to get together and march along Winners Avenue in the direction of the Independence Palace. For more than an hour and a half, protesters stood peacefully while chanting slogans and waiving flags in front of the security forces' barriers, then began to disperse. After about a hundred people remained at the Palace, a large number of "tikhari" and riot policemen came out of the security perimeter and started pushing and shoving people "out of the way" towards the Victory Park and near Lake Komsomolskoye. Protesters showing resistance were pulled back in through the police line and forcedly put in detention vans. People dispersed into a wooded area of the park hoping that they would be able to hide there. However, orderly forces foresaw this and trapped fugitives in a restricted zone around the monument. Police presence at that time included six cars, three buses, five vans and other vehicles. They closed in the perimeter on remaining crowds, forcing people to amass on the lakeside. Mass arrests ensued, once again women were only detained but men were beaten, including those who did not show violence or resistance, as an exemplary measure. Numerous protesters jumped into the water in order to avoid detention, and were subsequently rescued by the local safety volunteers who transported them to the other side of the lake. Rough detentions were carried out in other districts of Minsk as well. Near "Nemiga" metro station (where people retreated after the march) they took an especially cruel turn. Some of the protesters were overpowered and beaten by people in civilian clothes, who came as if to protest as well, but later turned out to be wearing bulletproof vests and armed with batons. Their excessive aggression was purportedly overlooked by nearby police presence. Russian blogger and journalist Alexei Romanov was detained near Komsomolskoye Lake. He was taken to the detention center on Akrestsin Street. Two hours later, Alexei Romanov and the rest of the detainees with Russian citizenship were released. This allegedly happened due to the pressure of the employees of the Russian embassy, who arrived at the detention center. In the evening volunteer rescuers who helped protesters out of the water were detained as well. At least eight employees of the station of the water rescue organization, located on Lake Komsomolskoye, were taken to the Central District Department in Minsk. Later, one of the rescuers wound up in an ambulance with a dislocated shoulder. The other was almost unconscious. Another elderly rescuer had cardiovascular issues. According to relatives, the head of OSVOD rescue station Denis Cheshun was driven from CDD to Akrestino. All the rescuers are being charged with disobedience, as apparently they did not hand over people to riot police. During the protests in Minsk, several people took refuge in the O'Petit coffee shop on Nemiga Street, locking all the doors from the inside. Soon about ten law enforcement officers in civilian clothes and masks approached the institution. Called out by police protesters refused to unlock the door, so the head of the Lead Department of Organized Crime Prevention Nikolai Karpenkov personally smashed the glass section with a truncheon. According to eyewitness reports, police brutally ousted protestors using physical force. This conflict was the first in 29 days of protests in which damage was caused to a public facility. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 633 people were detained "for participating in unauthorized mass events" that day. 363 detainees were placed under custody awaiting trial for administrative offenses. A total of 42 protest actions were recorded in various settlements of the country, and the total number of 31,000 people broke the law one way or another.
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On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place. Patricipation estimates made by newspaper "Nasha Niva" include 6,000 people in Gomel, 4,000 in Grodno, 3,000 in Brest, same in Vitebsk and Mogilev. Marches also took place in Baranovichi, Beloozersk, Bobruisk, Volkovysk, Glubokoye, Zhodino, Kobrin, Lida, Lyakhovichi, Mozyr, Molodcheno, Novogrudok, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Svetlogorsk, Smorgon, Soligorsk and others. While Minsk was reported to have 100,000 gathered at first, later reports list from 170,000 to 200,000 individuals to have participated in the March. About the same number of protesters confirmed their participation on the online platform "Golos" ("Voice"). Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk. Independence and Victory Squares were closed in advance and surrounded by metal barriers while Oktyabrskaya Square, an area around "Hero City of Minsk" monument as well as the Palace of Independence were occupied by water trucks wielding Rubezh anti-riot barriers. At 14:35, mobile internet of the A1 operator was disconnected. Users of other mobile operators also reported internet lockup. In the afternoon six metro stations were closed and trains did not stop at them. Throughout the city riot policemen attempted to disperse the columns from within residential districts in order to prevent protesters from reaching the center. Violent detentions with beating of people were observed near the metro stations "Pushkinskaya" and "Vostok", also near the supermarket "Rublevsky" on Chebotarev street in Traktorozavodsky village. However, people still managed to get together and march along Pobediteli ave toward the Independence Palace. For more than an hour and a half, protesters stood peacefully while chanting slogans and waiving flags in front of the security forces' barriers, then began to disperse. After about a hundred people remained at the Palace, a large number of "tikhari" and riot policemen came out of the security perimeter and started pushing and shoving people "out of the way" towards the Victory Park and near Lake Komsomolskoye. Protesters showing resistance were pulled back in through the police line and forcedly put in detention vans. People dispersed into a wooded area of the park hoping that they would be able to hide there. However, orderly forces foresaw this and trapped fugitives in a restricted zone around the monument. Police presence at that time included six cars, three buses, five vans and other vehicles. They closed in the perimeter on remaining crowds, forcing people to amass on the lakeside. Mass arrests ensued, once again women were only detained but men were beaten, including those who did not show violence or resistance, as an exemplary measure. Numerous protesters jumped into the water in order to avoid detention, and were subsequently rescued by the local safety volunteers who transported them to the other side of the lake. Rough detentions were carried out in other districts of Minsk as well. Near "Nemiga" metro station (where people retreated after the march) they took an especially cruel turn. Some of the protesters were overpowered and beaten by people in civilian clothes, who came as if to protest as well, but later turned out to be wearing bulletproof vests and armed with batons. Their excessive aggression was purportedly overlooked by nearby police presence. Russian blogger and journalist Alexei Romanov was detained near Komsomolskoye Lake. He was taken to the detention center on Akrestsin Street. Two hours later, Alexei Romanov and the rest of the detainees with Russian citizenship were released. This allegedly happened due to the pressure of the employees of the Russian embassy, who arrived at the detention center. In the evening volunteer rescuers who helped protesters out of the water were detained as well. At least eight employees of the station of the water rescue organization, located on Lake Komsomolskoye, were taken to the Central District Department in Minsk. Later, one of the rescuers wound up in an ambulance with a dislocated shoulder. The other was almost unconscious. Another elderly rescuer had cardiovascular issues. According to relatives, the head of OSVOD rescue station Denis Cheshun was driven from CDD to Akrestino. All the rescuers are being charged with disobedience, as apparently they did not hand over people to riot police. During the protests in Minsk, several people took refuge in the O'Petit coffee shop on Nemiga Street, locking all the doors from the inside. Soon about ten law enforcement officers in civilian clothes and masks approached the institution. Called out by police protesters refused to unlock the door, so the head of the Lead Department of Organized Crime Prevention Nikolai Karpenkov personally smashed the glass section with a truncheon. According to eyewitness reports, police brutally ousted protestors using physical force. This conflict was the first in 29 days of protests in which damage was caused to a public facility. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 633 people were detained "for participating in unauthorized mass events" that day. 363 detainees were placed under custody awaiting trial for administrative offenses. A total of 42 protest actions were recorded in various settlements of the country, and the total number of 31,000 people broke the law one way or another.
|
|
| 977269693 |
2020-09-07T22:14:59Z |
264619(-58) |
14911(-11) |
629(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place. Patricipation estimates made by newspaper "Nasha Niva" include 6,000 people in Gomel, 4,000 in Grodno, 3,000 in Brest, same in Vitebsk and Mogilev. Marches also took place in Baranovichi, Beloozersk, Bobruisk, Volkovysk, Glubokoye, Zhodino, Kobrin, Lida, Lyakhovichi, Mozyr, Molodcheno, Novogrudok, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Svetlogorsk, Smorgon, Soligorsk and others. While Minsk was reported to have 100,000 gathered at first, later reports list from 170,000 to 200,000 individuals to have participated in the March. About the same number of protesters confirmed their participation on the online platform "Golos" ("Voice"). Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk. Independence and Victory Squares were closed in advance and surrounded by metal barriers while Oktyabrskaya Square, an area around "Hero City of Minsk" monument as well as the Palace of Independence were occupied by water trucks wielding Rubezh anti-riot barriers. At 14:35, mobile internet of the A1 operator was disconnected. Users of other mobile operators also reported internet lockup. In the afternoon six metro stations were closed and trains did not stop at them. Throughout the city riot policemen attempted to disperse the columns from within residential districts in order to prevent protesters from reaching the center. Violent detentions with beating of people were observed near the metro stations "Pushkinskaya" and "Vostok", also near the supermarket "Rublevsky" on Chebotarev street in Traktorozavodsky village. However, people still managed to get together and march along Pobediteli ave toward the Independence Palace. For more than an hour and a half, protesters stood peacefully while chanting slogans and waiving flags in front of the security forces' barriers, then began to disperse. After about a hundred people remained at the Palace, a large number of "tikhari" and riot policemen came out of the security perimeter and started pushing and shoving people "out of the way" towards the Victory Park and near Lake Komsomolskoye. Protesters showing resistance were pulled back in through the police line and forcedly put in detention vans. People dispersed into a wooded area of the park hoping that they would be able to hide there. However, orderly forces foresaw this and trapped fugitives in a restricted zone around the monument. Police presence at that time included six cars, three buses, five vans and other vehicles. They closed in the perimeter on remaining crowds, forcing people to amass on the lakeside. Mass arrests ensued, once again women were only detained but men were beaten, including those who did not show violence or resistance, as an exemplary measure. Numerous protesters jumped into the water in order to avoid detention, and were subsequently rescued by the local safety volunteers who transported them to the other side of the lake. Rough detentions were carried out in other districts of Minsk as well. Near "Nemiga" metro station (where people retreated after the march) they took an especially cruel turn. Some of the protesters were overpowered and beaten by people in civilian clothes, who came as if to protest as well, but later turned out to be wearing bulletproof vests and armed with batons. Their excessive aggression was purportedly overlooked by nearby police presence. Russian blogger and journalist Alexei Romanov was detained near Komsomolskoye Lake. He was taken to the detention center on Akrestsin Street. Two hours later, Alexei Romanov and the rest of the detainees with Russian citizenship were released. This allegedly happened due to the pressure of the employees of the Russian embassy, who arrived at the detention center. In the evening volunteer rescuers who helped protesters out of the water were detained as well. At least eight employees of the station of the water rescue organization, located on Lake Komsomolskoye, were taken to the Central District Department in Minsk. Later, one of the rescuers wound up in an ambulance with a dislocated shoulder. The other was almost unconscious. Another elderly rescuer had cardiovascular issues. According to relatives, the head of OSVOD rescue station Denis Cheshun was driven from CDD to Akrestino. All the rescuers are being charged with disobedience, as apparently they did not hand over people to riot police. During the protests in Minsk, several people took refuge in the O'Petit coffee shop on Nemiga Street, locking all the doors from the inside. Soon about ten law enforcement officers in civilian clothes and masks approached the institution. Called out by police protesters refused to unlock the door, so the head of the Lead Department of Organized Crime Prevention Nikolai Karpenkov personally smashed the glass section with a truncheon. According to eyewitness reports, police brutally ousted protestors using physical force. This conflict was the first in 29 days of protests in which damage was caused to a public facility. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 633 people were detained "for participating in unauthorized mass events" that day. 363 detainees were placed under custody awaiting trial for administrative offenses. A total of 42 protest actions were recorded in various settlements of the country, and the total number of 31,000 people broke the law one way or another.
|
On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place. Patricipation estimates made by newspaper "Nasha Niva" include 6,000 people in Gomel, 4,000 in Grodno, 3,000 in Brest, same in Vitebsk and Mogilev. Marches also took place in Baranovichi, Beloozersk, Bobruisk, Volkovysk, Glubokoye, Zhodino, Kobrin, Lida, Lyakhovichi, Mozyr, Molodcheno, Novogrudok, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Svetlogorsk, Smorgon, Soligorsk and others. While Minsk was reported to have 100,000 gathered at first, later reports list from 170,000 to 200,000 individuals to have participated in the March. About the same number of protesters confirmed their participation on the online platform "Golos" ("Voice"). Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk. Independence and Victory Squares were closed in advance and surrounded by metal barriers while Oktyabrskaya Square, an area around "Hero City of Minsk" monument as well as the Palace of Independence were occupied by water trucks wielding Rubezh anti-riot barriers. At 14:35, mobile internet of the A1 operator was disconnected. Users of other mobile operators also reported internet lockup. In the afternoon six metro stations were closed and trains did not stop at them. Throughout the city riot policemen attempted to disperse the columns from within residential districts in order to prevent protesters from reaching the center. Violent detentions with beating of people were observed near the metro stations "Pushkinskaya" and "Vostok", also near the supermarket "Rublevsky" on Chebotarev street in Traktorozavodsky village. However, people still managed to get together and march along Pobediteli ave toward the Independence Palace. For more than an hour and a half, protesters stood peacefully while chanting slogans and waiving flags in front of the security forces' barriers, then began to disperse. When about a hundred people remained on premises, police began an offensive operation by closing in the perimeter, trying to push the crowd into Victory Park and near Lake Komsomolskoye. Protesters showing resistance were pulled back in through the police line and forcedly put in detention vans. People dispersed into a wooded area of the park hoping that they would be able to hide there. However, orderly forces foresaw this and trapped fugitives in a restricted zone around the monument. Police presence at that time included six cars, three buses, five vans and other vehicles. They closed in the perimeter on remaining crowds, forcing people to amass on the lakeside. Mass arrests ensued, once again women were only detained but men were beaten, including those who did not show violence or resistance, as an exemplary measure. Numerous protesters jumped into the water in order to avoid detention, and were subsequently rescued by the local safety volunteers who transported them to the other side of the lake. Rough detentions were carried out in other districts of Minsk as well. Near "Nemiga" metro station (where people retreated after the march) they took an especially cruel turn. Some of the protesters were overpowered and beaten by people in civilian clothes, who came as if to protest as well, but later turned out to be wearing bulletproof vests and armed with batons. Their excessive aggression was purportedly overlooked by nearby police presence. Russian blogger and journalist Alexei Romanov was detained near Komsomolskoye Lake. He was taken to the detention center on Akrestsin Street. Two hours later, Alexei Romanov and the rest of the detainees with Russian citizenship were released. This allegedly happened due to the pressure of the employees of the Russian embassy, who arrived at the detention center. In the evening volunteer rescuers who helped protesters out of the water were detained as well. At least eight employees of the station of the water rescue organization, located on Lake Komsomolskoye, were taken to the Central District Department in Minsk. Later, one of the rescuers wound up in an ambulance with a dislocated shoulder. The other was almost unconscious. Another elderly rescuer had cardiovascular issues. According to relatives, the head of OSVOD rescue station Denis Cheshun was driven from CDD to Akrestino. All the rescuers are being charged with disobedience, as apparently they did not hand over people to riot police. During the protests in Minsk, several people took refuge in the O'Petit coffee shop on Nemiga Street, locking all the doors from the inside. Soon about ten law enforcement officers in civilian clothes and masks approached the institution. Called out by police protesters refused to unlock the door, so the head of the Lead Department of Organized Crime Prevention Nikolai Karpenkov personally smashed the glass section with a truncheon. According to eyewitness reports, police brutally ousted protestors using physical force. This conflict was the first in 29 days of protests in which damage was caused to a public facility. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 633 people were detained "for participating in unauthorized mass events" that day. 363 detainees were placed under custody awaiting trial for administrative offenses. A total of 42 protest actions were recorded in various settlements of the country, and the total number of 31,000 people broke the law one way or another.
|
|
| 977269804 |
2020-09-07T22:15:53Z |
264623(4) |
14911(0) |
629(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place. Patricipation estimates made by newspaper "Nasha Niva" include 6,000 people in Gomel, 4,000 in Grodno, 3,000 in Brest, same in Vitebsk and Mogilev. Marches also took place in Baranovichi, Beloozersk, Bobruisk, Volkovysk, Glubokoye, Zhodino, Kobrin, Lida, Lyakhovichi, Mozyr, Molodcheno, Novogrudok, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Svetlogorsk, Smorgon, Soligorsk and others. While Minsk was reported to have 100,000 gathered at first, later reports list from 170,000 to 200,000 individuals to have participated in the March. About the same number of protesters confirmed their participation on the online platform "Golos" ("Voice"). Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk. Independence and Victory Squares were closed in advance and surrounded by metal barriers while Oktyabrskaya Square, an area around "Hero City of Minsk" monument as well as the Palace of Independence were occupied by water trucks wielding Rubezh anti-riot barriers. At 14:35, mobile internet of the A1 operator was disconnected. Users of other mobile operators also reported internet lockup. In the afternoon six metro stations were closed and trains did not stop at them. Throughout the city riot policemen attempted to disperse the columns from within residential districts in order to prevent protesters from reaching the center. Violent detentions with beating of people were observed near the metro stations "Pushkinskaya" and "Vostok", also near the supermarket "Rublevsky" on Chebotarev street in Traktorozavodsky village. However, people still managed to get together and march along Pobediteli ave toward the Independence Palace. For more than an hour and a half, protesters stood peacefully while chanting slogans and waiving flags in front of the security forces' barriers, then began to disperse. When about a hundred people remained on premises, police began an offensive operation by closing in the perimeter, trying to push the crowd into Victory Park and near Lake Komsomolskoye. Protesters showing resistance were pulled back in through the police line and forcedly put in detention vans. People dispersed into a wooded area of the park hoping that they would be able to hide there. However, orderly forces foresaw this and trapped fugitives in a restricted zone around the monument. Police presence at that time included six cars, three buses, five vans and other vehicles. They closed in the perimeter on remaining crowds, forcing people to amass on the lakeside. Mass arrests ensued, once again women were only detained but men were beaten, including those who did not show violence or resistance, as an exemplary measure. Numerous protesters jumped into the water in order to avoid detention, and were subsequently rescued by the local safety volunteers who transported them to the other side of the lake. Rough detentions were carried out in other districts of Minsk as well. Near "Nemiga" metro station (where people retreated after the march) they took an especially cruel turn. Some of the protesters were overpowered and beaten by people in civilian clothes, who came as if to protest as well, but later turned out to be wearing bulletproof vests and armed with batons. Their excessive aggression was purportedly overlooked by nearby police presence. Russian blogger and journalist Alexei Romanov was detained near Komsomolskoye Lake. He was taken to the detention center on Akrestsin Street. Two hours later, Alexei Romanov and the rest of the detainees with Russian citizenship were released. This allegedly happened due to the pressure of the employees of the Russian embassy, who arrived at the detention center. In the evening volunteer rescuers who helped protesters out of the water were detained as well. At least eight employees of the station of the water rescue organization, located on Lake Komsomolskoye, were taken to the Central District Department in Minsk. Later, one of the rescuers wound up in an ambulance with a dislocated shoulder. The other was almost unconscious. Another elderly rescuer had cardiovascular issues. According to relatives, the head of OSVOD rescue station Denis Cheshun was driven from CDD to Akrestino. All the rescuers are being charged with disobedience, as apparently they did not hand over people to riot police. During the protests in Minsk, several people took refuge in the O'Petit coffee shop on Nemiga Street, locking all the doors from the inside. Soon about ten law enforcement officers in civilian clothes and masks approached the institution. Called out by police protesters refused to unlock the door, so the head of the Lead Department of Organized Crime Prevention Nikolai Karpenkov personally smashed the glass section with a truncheon. According to eyewitness reports, police brutally ousted protestors using physical force. This conflict was the first in 29 days of protests in which damage was caused to a public facility. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 633 people were detained "for participating in unauthorized mass events" that day. 363 detainees were placed under custody awaiting trial for administrative offenses. A total of 42 protest actions were recorded in various settlements of the country, and the total number of 31,000 people broke the law one way or another.
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On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place. Patricipation estimates made by newspaper "Nasha Niva" include 6,000 people in Gomel, 4,000 in Grodno, 3,000 in Brest, same in Vitebsk and Mogilev. Marches also took place in Baranovichi, Beloozersk, Bobruisk, Volkovysk, Glubokoye, Zhodino, Kobrin, Lida, Lyakhovichi, Mozyr, Molodcheno, Novogrudok, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Svetlogorsk, Smorgon, Soligorsk and others. While Minsk was reported to have 100,000 gathered at first, later reports list from 170,000 to 200,000 individuals to have participated in the March. About the same number of protesters confirmed their participation on the online platform "Golos" ("Voice"). Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk. Independence and Victory Squares were closed in advance and surrounded by metal barriers while Oktyabrskaya Square, an area around "Hero City of Minsk" monument as well as the Palace of Independence were occupied by water trucks wielding Rubezh anti-riot barriers. At 14:35, mobile internet of the A1 operator was disconnected. Users of other mobile operators also reported internet lockup. In the afternoon six metro stations were closed and trains did not stop at them. Throughout the city riot policemen attempted to disperse the columns from within residential districts in order to prevent protesters from reaching the center. Violent detentions with beating of people were observed near the metro stations "Pushkinskaya" and "Vostok", also near the supermarket "Rublevsky" on Chebotarev street in Traktorozavodsky village. However, people still managed to get together and march along Victors Avenue toward the Independence Palace. For more than an hour and a half, protesters stood peacefully while chanting slogans and waiving flags in front of the security forces' barriers, then began to disperse. When about a hundred people remained on premises, police began an offensive operation by closing in the perimeter, trying to push the crowd into Victory Park and near Lake Komsomolskoye. Protesters showing resistance were pulled back in through the police line and forcedly put in detention vans. People dispersed into a wooded area of the park hoping that they would be able to hide there. However, orderly forces foresaw this and trapped fugitives in a restricted zone around the monument. Police presence at that time included six cars, three buses, five vans and other vehicles. They closed in the perimeter on remaining crowds, forcing people to amass on the lakeside. Mass arrests ensued, once again women were only detained but men were beaten, including those who did not show violence or resistance, as an exemplary measure. Numerous protesters jumped into the water in order to avoid detention, and were subsequently rescued by the local safety volunteers who transported them to the other side of the lake. Rough detentions were carried out in other districts of Minsk as well. Near "Nemiga" metro station (where people retreated after the march) they took an especially cruel turn. Some of the protesters were overpowered and beaten by people in civilian clothes, who came as if to protest as well, but later turned out to be wearing bulletproof vests and armed with batons. Their excessive aggression was purportedly overlooked by nearby police presence. Russian blogger and journalist Alexei Romanov was detained near Komsomolskoye Lake. He was taken to the detention center on Akrestsin Street. Two hours later, Alexei Romanov and the rest of the detainees with Russian citizenship were released. This allegedly happened due to the pressure of the employees of the Russian embassy, who arrived at the detention center. In the evening volunteer rescuers who helped protesters out of the water were detained as well. At least eight employees of the station of the water rescue organization, located on Lake Komsomolskoye, were taken to the Central District Department in Minsk. Later, one of the rescuers wound up in an ambulance with a dislocated shoulder. The other was almost unconscious. Another elderly rescuer had cardiovascular issues. According to relatives, the head of OSVOD rescue station Denis Cheshun was driven from CDD to Akrestino. All the rescuers are being charged with disobedience, as apparently they did not hand over people to riot police. During the protests in Minsk, several people took refuge in the O'Petit coffee shop on Nemiga Street, locking all the doors from the inside. Soon about ten law enforcement officers in civilian clothes and masks approached the institution. Called out by police protesters refused to unlock the door, so the head of the Lead Department of Organized Crime Prevention Nikolai Karpenkov personally smashed the glass section with a truncheon. According to eyewitness reports, police brutally ousted protestors using physical force. This conflict was the first in 29 days of protests in which damage was caused to a public facility. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 633 people were detained "for participating in unauthorized mass events" that day. 363 detainees were placed under custody awaiting trial for administrative offenses. A total of 42 protest actions were recorded in various settlements of the country, and the total number of 31,000 people broke the law one way or another.
|
|
| 977270623 |
2020-09-07T22:23:17Z |
264618(-5) |
14909(-2) |
629(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place. Patricipation estimates made by newspaper "Nasha Niva" include 6,000 people in Gomel, 4,000 in Grodno, 3,000 in Brest, same in Vitebsk and Mogilev. Marches also took place in Baranovichi, Beloozersk, Bobruisk, Volkovysk, Glubokoye, Zhodino, Kobrin, Lida, Lyakhovichi, Mozyr, Molodcheno, Novogrudok, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Svetlogorsk, Smorgon, Soligorsk and others. While Minsk was reported to have 100,000 gathered at first, later reports list from 170,000 to 200,000 individuals to have participated in the March. About the same number of protesters confirmed their participation on the online platform "Golos" ("Voice"). Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk. Independence and Victory Squares were closed in advance and surrounded by metal barriers while Oktyabrskaya Square, an area around "Hero City of Minsk" monument as well as the Palace of Independence were occupied by water trucks wielding Rubezh anti-riot barriers. At 14:35, mobile internet of the A1 operator was disconnected. Users of other mobile operators also reported internet lockup. In the afternoon six metro stations were closed and trains did not stop at them. Throughout the city riot policemen attempted to disperse the columns from within residential districts in order to prevent protesters from reaching the center. Violent detentions with beating of people were observed near the metro stations "Pushkinskaya" and "Vostok", also near the supermarket "Rublevsky" on Chebotarev street in Traktorozavodsky village. However, people still managed to get together and march along Victors Avenue toward the Independence Palace. For more than an hour and a half, protesters stood peacefully while chanting slogans and waiving flags in front of the security forces' barriers, then began to disperse. When about a hundred people remained on premises, police began an offensive operation by closing in the perimeter, trying to push the crowd into Victory Park and near Lake Komsomolskoye. Protesters showing resistance were pulled back in through the police line and forcedly put in detention vans. People dispersed into a wooded area of the park hoping that they would be able to hide there. However, orderly forces foresaw this and trapped fugitives in a restricted zone around the monument. Police presence at that time included six cars, three buses, five vans and other vehicles. They closed in the perimeter on remaining crowds, forcing people to amass on the lakeside. Mass arrests ensued, once again women were only detained but men were beaten, including those who did not show violence or resistance, as an exemplary measure. Numerous protesters jumped into the water in order to avoid detention, and were subsequently rescued by the local safety volunteers who transported them to the other side of the lake. Rough detentions were carried out in other districts of Minsk as well. Near "Nemiga" metro station (where people retreated after the march) they took an especially cruel turn. Some of the protesters were overpowered and beaten by people in civilian clothes, who came as if to protest as well, but later turned out to be wearing bulletproof vests and armed with batons. Their excessive aggression was purportedly overlooked by nearby police presence. Russian blogger and journalist Alexei Romanov was detained near Komsomolskoye Lake. He was taken to the detention center on Akrestsin Street. Two hours later, Alexei Romanov and the rest of the detainees with Russian citizenship were released. This allegedly happened due to the pressure of the employees of the Russian embassy, who arrived at the detention center. In the evening volunteer rescuers who helped protesters out of the water were detained as well. At least eight employees of the station of the water rescue organization, located on Lake Komsomolskoye, were taken to the Central District Department in Minsk. Later, one of the rescuers wound up in an ambulance with a dislocated shoulder. The other was almost unconscious. Another elderly rescuer had cardiovascular issues. According to relatives, the head of OSVOD rescue station Denis Cheshun was driven from CDD to Akrestino. All the rescuers are being charged with disobedience, as apparently they did not hand over people to riot police. During the protests in Minsk, several people took refuge in the O'Petit coffee shop on Nemiga Street, locking all the doors from the inside. Soon about ten law enforcement officers in civilian clothes and masks approached the institution. Called out by police protesters refused to unlock the door, so the head of the Lead Department of Organized Crime Prevention Nikolai Karpenkov personally smashed the glass section with a truncheon. According to eyewitness reports, police brutally ousted protestors using physical force. This conflict was the first in 29 days of protests in which damage was caused to a public facility. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 633 people were detained "for participating in unauthorized mass events" that day. 363 detainees were placed under custody awaiting trial for administrative offenses. A total of 42 protest actions were recorded in various settlements of the country, and the total number of 31,000 people broke the law one way or another.
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On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place. Patricipation estimates made by newspaper "Nasha Niva" include 6,000 people in Gomel, 4,000 in Grodno, 3,000 in Brest, same in Vitebsk and Mogilev. Marches also took place in Baranovichi, Beloozersk, Bobruisk, Volkovysk, Glubokoye, Zhodino, Kobrin, Lida, Lyakhovichi, Mozyr, Molodcheno, Novogrudok, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Svetlogorsk, Smorgon, Soligorsk and others. While Minsk was reported to have 100,000 gathered at first, later reports list from 170,000 to 200,000 individuals to have participated in the March. About the same number of protesters confirmed their participation on the online platform "Golos" ("Voice"). Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk. Independence and Victory Squares were closed in advance and surrounded by metal barriers while Oktyabrskaya Square, an area around "Hero City of Minsk" monument as well as the Palace of Independence were occupied by water trucks wielding Rubezh anti-riot barriers. At 14:35, mobile internet of the A1 operator was disconnected. Users of other mobile operators also reported internet lockup. In the afternoon six metro stations were closed and trains did not stop at them. Throughout the city riot policemen attempted to disperse the columns from within residential districts in order to prevent protesters from reaching the center. Violent detentions with beating of people were observed near the metro stations "Pushkinskaya" and "Vostok", also near the supermarket "Rublevsky" on Chebotarev street in Traktorozavodsky village. However, people still managed to get together and march along Victors Avenue toward the Independence Palace. For more than an hour and a half, protesters stood peacefully while chanting slogans and waiving flags in front of the security forces' barriers, then began to disperse. When about a hundred people remained on premises, police switched into offensive by closing in the perimeter, trying to push the crowd into Victory Park and near Lake Komsomolskoye. Protesters showing resistance were pulled back in through the police line and forcedly put in detention vans. People dispersed into a wooded area of the park hoping that they would be able to hide there. However, orderly forces foresaw this and trapped fugitives in a restricted zone around the monument. Police presence at that time included six cars, three buses, five vans and other vehicles. They tightened the perimeter on remaining crowds, forcing people to amass on the lakeside. Mass arrests ensued, once again women were only detained but men were beaten, including those who did not show violence or resistance, as an exemplary measure. Numerous protesters jumped into the water in order to avoid detention, and were subsequently rescued by the local safety volunteers who transported them to the other side of the lake. Rough detentions were carried out in other districts of Minsk as well. Near "Nemiga" metro station (where people retreated after the march) they took an especially cruel turn. Some of the protesters were overpowered and beaten by people in civilian clothes, who came as if to protest as well, but later turned out to be wearing bulletproof vests and armed with batons. Their excessive aggression was purportedly overlooked by nearby police presence. Russian blogger and journalist Alexei Romanov was detained near Komsomolskoye Lake. He was taken to the detention center on Akrestsin Street. Two hours later, Alexei Romanov and the rest of the detainees with Russian citizenship were released. This allegedly happened due to the pressure of the employees of the Russian embassy, who arrived at the detention center. In the evening volunteer rescuers who helped protesters out of the water were detained as well. At least eight employees of the station of the water rescue organization, located on Lake Komsomolskoye, were taken to the Central District Department in Minsk. Later, one of the rescuers wound up in an ambulance with a dislocated shoulder. The other was almost unconscious. Another elderly rescuer had cardiovascular issues. According to relatives, the head of OSVOD rescue station Denis Cheshun was driven from CDD to Akrestino. All the rescuers are being charged with disobedience, as apparently they did not hand over people to riot police. During the protests in Minsk, several people took refuge in the O'Petit coffee shop on Nemiga Street, locking all the doors from the inside. Soon about ten law enforcement officers in civilian clothes and masks approached the institution. Called out by police protesters refused to unlock the door, so the head of the Lead Department of Organized Crime Prevention Nikolai Karpenkov personally smashed the glass section with a truncheon. According to eyewitness reports, police brutally ousted protestors using physical force. This conflict was the first in 29 days of protests in which damage was caused to a public facility. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 633 people were detained "for participating in unauthorized mass events" that day. 363 detainees were placed under custody awaiting trial for administrative offenses. A total of 42 protest actions were recorded in various settlements of the country, and the total number of 31,000 people broke the law one way or another.
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| 977320860 |
2020-09-08T05:24:00Z |
264681(63) |
14909(0) |
629(0) |
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| 977364524 |
2020-09-08T11:45:10Z |
265642(961) |
14982(73) |
632(3) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
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On 8 September 2020, Maria Kolesnikova was detained at the border with Ukrainian. There are conflicting of what happened at the border. A spokesperson for the State Border Committee claimed that Kolesnikova was trying to cross into Ukraine with the help of two of her associates, Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov.
Other accounts state that she was detained after tearing up her passport as the authorities tried to force her to cross the border.
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| 977368800 |
2020-09-08T12:22:20Z |
265642(0) |
14982(0) |
632(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place. Patricipation estimates made by newspaper "Nasha Niva" include 6,000 people in Gomel, 4,000 in Grodno, 3,000 in Brest, same in Vitebsk and Mogilev. Marches also took place in Baranovichi, Beloozersk, Bobruisk, Volkovysk, Glubokoye, Zhodino, Kobrin, Lida, Lyakhovichi, Mozyr, Molodcheno, Novogrudok, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Svetlogorsk, Smorgon, Soligorsk and others. While Minsk was reported to have 100,000 gathered at first, later reports list from 170,000 to 200,000 individuals to have participated in the March. About the same number of protesters confirmed their participation on the online platform "Golos" ("Voice"). Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk. Independence and Victory Squares were closed in advance and surrounded by metal barriers while Oktyabrskaya Square, an area around "Hero City of Minsk" monument as well as the Palace of Independence were occupied by water trucks wielding Rubezh anti-riot barriers. At 14:35, mobile internet of the A1 operator was disconnected. Users of other mobile operators also reported internet lockup. In the afternoon six metro stations were closed and trains did not stop at them. Throughout the city riot policemen attempted to disperse the columns from within residential districts in order to prevent protesters from reaching the center. Violent detentions with beating of people were observed near the metro stations "Pushkinskaya" and "Vostok", also near the supermarket "Rublevsky" on Chebotarev street in Traktorozavodsky village. However, people still managed to get together and march along Victors Avenue toward the Independence Palace. For more than an hour and a half, protesters stood peacefully while chanting slogans and waiving flags in front of the security forces' barriers, then began to disperse. When about a hundred people remained on premises, police switched into offensive by closing in the perimeter, trying to push the crowd into Victory Park and near Lake Komsomolskoye. Protesters showing resistance were pulled back in through the police line and forcedly put in detention vans. People dispersed into a wooded area of the park hoping that they would be able to hide there. However, orderly forces foresaw this and trapped fugitives in a restricted zone around the monument. Police presence at that time included six cars, three buses, five vans and other vehicles. They tightened the perimeter on remaining crowds, forcing people to amass on the lakeside. Mass arrests ensued, once again women were only detained but men were beaten, including those who did not show violence or resistance, as an exemplary measure. Numerous protesters jumped into the water in order to avoid detention, and were subsequently rescued by the local safety volunteers who transported them to the other side of the lake. Rough detentions were carried out in other districts of Minsk as well. Near "Nemiga" metro station (where people retreated after the march) they took an especially cruel turn. Some of the protesters were overpowered and beaten by people in civilian clothes, who came as if to protest as well, but later turned out to be wearing bulletproof vests and armed with batons. Their excessive aggression was purportedly overlooked by nearby police presence. Russian blogger and journalist Alexei Romanov was detained near Komsomolskoye Lake. He was taken to the detention center on Akrestsin Street. Two hours later, Alexei Romanov and the rest of the detainees with Russian citizenship were released. This allegedly happened due to the pressure of the employees of the Russian embassy, who arrived at the detention center. In the evening volunteer rescuers who helped protesters out of the water were detained as well. At least eight employees of the station of the water rescue organization, located on Lake Komsomolskoye, were taken to the Central District Department in Minsk. Later, one of the rescuers wound up in an ambulance with a dislocated shoulder. The other was almost unconscious. Another elderly rescuer had cardiovascular issues. According to relatives, the head of OSVOD rescue station Denis Cheshun was driven from CDD to Akrestino. All the rescuers are being charged with disobedience, as apparently they did not hand over people to riot police. During the protests in Minsk, several people took refuge in the O'Petit coffee shop on Nemiga Street, locking all the doors from the inside. Soon about ten law enforcement officers in civilian clothes and masks approached the institution. Called out by police protesters refused to unlock the door, so the head of the Lead Department of Organized Crime Prevention Nikolai Karpenkov personally smashed the glass section with a truncheon. According to eyewitness reports, police brutally ousted protestors using physical force. This conflict was the first in 29 days of protests in which damage was caused to a public facility. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 633 people were detained "for participating in unauthorized mass events" that day. 363 detainees were placed under custody awaiting trial for administrative offenses. A total of 42 protest actions were recorded in various settlements of the country, and the total number of 31,000 people broke the law one way or another.
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On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place. Participation estimates made by newspaper "Nasha Niva" include 6,000 people in Gomel, 4,000 in Grodno, 3,000 in Brest, same in Vitebsk and Mogilev. Marches also took place in Baranovichi, Beloozersk, Bobruisk, Volkovysk, Glubokoye, Zhodino, Kobrin, Lida, Lyakhovichi, Mozyr, Molodcheno, Novogrudok, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Svetlogorsk, Smorgon, Soligorsk and others. While Minsk was reported to have 100,000 gathered at first, later reports list from 170,000 to 200,000 individuals to have participated in the March. About the same number of protesters confirmed their participation on the online platform "Golos" ("Voice"). Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk. Independence and Victory Squares were closed in advance and surrounded by metal barriers while Oktyabrskaya Square, an area around "Hero City of Minsk" monument as well as the Palace of Independence were occupied by water trucks wielding Rubezh anti-riot barriers. At 14:35, mobile internet of the A1 operator was disconnected. Users of other mobile operators also reported internet lockup. In the afternoon six metro stations were closed and trains did not stop at them. Throughout the city riot policemen attempted to disperse the columns from within residential districts in order to prevent protesters from reaching the center. Violent detentions with beating of people were observed near the metro stations "Pushkinskaya" and "Vostok", also near the supermarket "Rublevsky" on Chebotarev street in Traktorozavodsky village. However, people still managed to get together and march along Victors Avenue toward the Independence Palace. For more than an hour and a half, protesters stood peacefully while chanting slogans and waiving flags in front of the security forces' barriers, then began to disperse. When about a hundred people remained on premises, police switched into offensive by closing in the perimeter, trying to push the crowd into Victory Park and near Lake Komsomolskoye. Protesters showing resistance were pulled back in through the police line and forcedly put in detention vans. People dispersed into a wooded area of the park hoping that they would be able to hide there. However, orderly forces foresaw this and trapped fugitives in a restricted zone around the monument. Police presence at that time included six cars, three buses, five vans and other vehicles. They tightened the perimeter on remaining crowds, forcing people to amass on the lakeside. Mass arrests ensued, once again women were only detained but men were beaten, including those who did not show violence or resistance, as an exemplary measure. Numerous protesters jumped into the water in order to avoid detention, and were subsequently rescued by the local safety volunteers who transported them to the other side of the lake. Rough detentions were carried out in other districts of Minsk as well. Near "Nemiga" metro station (where people retreated after the march) they took an especially cruel turn. Some of the protesters were overpowered and beaten by people in civilian clothes, who came as if to protest as well, but later turned out to be wearing bulletproof vests and armed with batons. Their excessive aggression was purportedly overlooked by nearby police presence. Russian blogger and journalist Alexei Romanov was detained near Komsomolskoye Lake. He was taken to the detention center on Akrestsin Street. Two hours later, Alexei Romanov and the rest of the detainees with Russian citizenship were released. This allegedly happened due to the pressure of the employees of the Russian embassy, who arrived at the detention center. In the evening volunteer rescuers who helped protesters out of the water were detained as well. At least eight employees of the station of the water rescue organization, located on Lake Komsomolskoye, were taken to the Central District Department in Minsk. Later, one of the rescuers wound up in an ambulance with a dislocated shoulder. The other was almost unconscious. Another elderly rescuer had cardiovascular issues. According to relatives, the head of OSVOD rescue station Denis Cheshun was driven from CDD to Akrestino. All the rescuers are being charged with disobedience, as apparently they did not hand over people to riot police. During the protests in Minsk, several people took refuge in the O'Petit coffee shop on Nemiga Street, locking all the doors from the inside. Soon about ten law enforcement officers in civilian clothes and masks approached the institution. Called out by police protesters refused to unlock the door, so the head of the Lead Department of Organized Crime Prevention Nikolai Karpenkov personally smashed the glass section with a truncheon. According to eyewitness reports, police brutally ousted protestors using physical force. This conflict was the first in 29 days of protests in which damage was caused to a public facility. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 633 people were detained "for participating in unauthorized mass events" that day. 363 detainees were placed under custody awaiting trial for administrative offenses. A total of 42 protest actions were recorded in various settlements of the country, and the total number of 31,000 people broke the law one way or another.
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| 977372083 |
2020-09-08T12:53:11Z |
265680(38) |
14982(0) |
632(0) |
External links |
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| 977390528 |
2020-09-08T15:23:02Z |
265237(-443) |
14919(-63) |
632(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place. Participation estimates made by newspaper "Nasha Niva" include 6,000 people in Gomel, 4,000 in Grodno, 3,000 in Brest, same in Vitebsk and Mogilev. Marches also took place in Baranovichi, Beloozersk, Bobruisk, Volkovysk, Glubokoye, Zhodino, Kobrin, Lida, Lyakhovichi, Mozyr, Molodcheno, Novogrudok, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Svetlogorsk, Smorgon, Soligorsk and others. While Minsk was reported to have 100,000 gathered at first, later reports list from 170,000 to 200,000 individuals to have participated in the March. About the same number of protesters confirmed their participation on the online platform "Golos" ("Voice"). Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk. Independence and Victory Squares were closed in advance and surrounded by metal barriers while Oktyabrskaya Square, an area around "Hero City of Minsk" monument as well as the Palace of Independence were occupied by water trucks wielding Rubezh anti-riot barriers. At 14:35, mobile internet of the A1 operator was disconnected. Users of other mobile operators also reported internet lockup. In the afternoon six metro stations were closed and trains did not stop at them. Throughout the city riot policemen attempted to disperse the columns from within residential districts in order to prevent protesters from reaching the center. Violent detentions with beating of people were observed near the metro stations "Pushkinskaya" and "Vostok", also near the supermarket "Rublevsky" on Chebotarev street in Traktorozavodsky village. However, people still managed to get together and march along Victors Avenue toward the Independence Palace. For more than an hour and a half, protesters stood peacefully while chanting slogans and waiving flags in front of the security forces' barriers, then began to disperse. When about a hundred people remained on premises, police switched into offensive by closing in the perimeter, trying to push the crowd into Victory Park and near Lake Komsomolskoye. Protesters showing resistance were pulled back in through the police line and forcedly put in detention vans. People dispersed into a wooded area of the park hoping that they would be able to hide there. However, orderly forces foresaw this and trapped fugitives in a restricted zone around the monument. Police presence at that time included six cars, three buses, five vans and other vehicles. They tightened the perimeter on remaining crowds, forcing people to amass on the lakeside. Mass arrests ensued, once again women were only detained but men were beaten, including those who did not show violence or resistance, as an exemplary measure. Numerous protesters jumped into the water in order to avoid detention, and were subsequently rescued by the local safety volunteers who transported them to the other side of the lake. Rough detentions were carried out in other districts of Minsk as well. Near "Nemiga" metro station (where people retreated after the march) they took an especially cruel turn. Some of the protesters were overpowered and beaten by people in civilian clothes, who came as if to protest as well, but later turned out to be wearing bulletproof vests and armed with batons. Their excessive aggression was purportedly overlooked by nearby police presence. Russian blogger and journalist Alexei Romanov was detained near Komsomolskoye Lake. He was taken to the detention center on Akrestsin Street. Two hours later, Alexei Romanov and the rest of the detainees with Russian citizenship were released. This allegedly happened due to the pressure of the employees of the Russian embassy, who arrived at the detention center. In the evening volunteer rescuers who helped protesters out of the water were detained as well. At least eight employees of the station of the water rescue organization, located on Lake Komsomolskoye, were taken to the Central District Department in Minsk. Later, one of the rescuers wound up in an ambulance with a dislocated shoulder. The other was almost unconscious. Another elderly rescuer had cardiovascular issues. According to relatives, the head of OSVOD rescue station Denis Cheshun was driven from CDD to Akrestino. All the rescuers are being charged with disobedience, as apparently they did not hand over people to riot police. During the protests in Minsk, several people took refuge in the O'Petit coffee shop on Nemiga Street, locking all the doors from the inside. Soon about ten law enforcement officers in civilian clothes and masks approached the institution. Called out by police protesters refused to unlock the door, so the head of the Lead Department of Organized Crime Prevention Nikolai Karpenkov personally smashed the glass section with a truncheon. According to eyewitness reports, police brutally ousted protestors using physical force. This conflict was the first in 29 days of protests in which damage was caused to a public facility. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 633 people were detained "for participating in unauthorized mass events" that day. 363 detainees were placed under custody awaiting trial for administrative offenses. A total of 42 protest actions were recorded in various settlements of the country, and the total number of 31,000 people broke the law one way or another.
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On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place. Participation estimates made by newspaper "Nasha Niva" include 6,000 people in Gomel, 4,000 in Grodno, 3,000 in Brest, same in Vitebsk and Mogilev. Marches also took place in Baranovichi, Beloozersk, Bobruisk, Volkovysk, Glubokoye, Zhodino, Kobrin, Lida, Lyakhovichi, Mozyr, Molodcheno, Novogrudok, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Svetlogorsk, Smorgon, Soligorsk and others. While Minsk was reported to have 100,000 gathered at first, later reports list from 170,000 to 200,000 individuals to have participated in the March. About the same number of protesters confirmed their participation on the online platform "Golos" ("Voice"). Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk. Independence and Victory Squares were closed in advance and surrounded by metal barriers while Oktyabrskaya Square, an area around "Hero City of Minsk" monument as well as the Palace of Independence were occupied by water trucks wielding Rubezh anti-riot barriers. At 14:35, mobile internet of the A1 operator was disconnected. Users of other mobile operators also reported internet lockup. In the afternoon six metro stations were closed and trains did not stop at them. Throughout the city riot policemen attempted to disperse the columns from within residential districts in order to prevent protesters from reaching the center. Violent detentions with beating of people were observed near the metro stations "Pushkinskaya" and "Vostok", also near the supermarket "Rublevsky" on Chebotarev street in Traktorozavodsky village. However, people still managed to get together and march along Victors Avenue toward the Independence Palace. Once there, protesters held a demonstration for over an hour and a half, until a police warning was issued sometime after 18:00 to disperse, or be subject to detention. The remaining crowd who did not want to leave was forced into Victory Park and near Lake Komsomolskoye by OMON closing the perimeter. Protesters showing resistance were pulled back in through the police line and forcedly put in detention vans, women were only detained, but men were beaten, including those who did not show violence or resistance, as an exemplary measure. A number of detainees were overpowered and beaten by people in civilian clothes, who came as if to protest as well, but later turned out to be wearing bulletproof vests and armed with batons. Their excessive aggression was purportedly overlooked by police. Fleeing detention, remaining protesters dispersed into a wooded area of the park, but were split into two groups by police: one around the monument and another at the lakeside. Police presence at that time included six cars, three buses, five vans and other vehicles. The second crowd tried to save themselves by jumping into the lake and were subsequently rescued by the local safety volunteers who transported them to the other side of the lake. Russian blogger and journalist Alexei Romanov was among them at that time. He was detained and taken to Akrestina. Two hours later, police released him as well as other Russian citizens. This allegedly happened due to the pressure of the employees of the Russian embassy, who arrived at the detention center. In the evening volunteer rescuers who helped protesters out of the water were detained as well. At least eight employees of the station of the water rescue organization, located on Lake Komsomolskoye, were taken to the Central District Department in Minsk. Later, one of the rescuers wound up in an ambulance with a dislocated shoulder. The other was almost unconscious. Another elderly rescuer had cardiovascular issues. According to relatives, the head of OSVOD rescue station Denis Cheshun was driven from CDD to Akrestino. All the rescuers are being charged with disobedience, as apparently they did not hand over people to riot police. During the protests in Minsk, several people took refuge in the O'Petit coffee shop on Nemiga Street, locking all the doors from the inside. Soon about ten law enforcement officers in civilian clothes and masks approached the institution. Called out by police protesters refused to unlock the door, so the head of the Lead Department of Organized Crime Prevention Nikolai Karpenkov personally smashed the glass section with a truncheon. According to eyewitness reports, police brutally ousted protestors using physical force. This conflict was the first in 29 days of protests in which damage was caused to a public facility. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 633 people were detained "for participating in unauthorized mass events" that day. 363 detainees were placed under custody awaiting trial for administrative offenses. A total of 42 protest actions were recorded in various settlements of the country, and the total number of 31,000 people broke the law one way or another.
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| 977393313 |
2020-09-08T15:43:41Z |
265265(28) |
14919(0) |
632(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
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| 977395919 |
2020-09-08T16:01:18Z |
265302(37) |
14919(0) |
632(0) |
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| 977409716 |
2020-09-08T17:38:55Z |
265468(166) |
14919(0) |
632(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
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| 977419922 |
2020-09-08T18:55:22Z |
265364(-104) |
14919(0) |
632(0) |
Gallery |
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| 977426301 |
2020-09-08T19:42:23Z |
265468(104) |
14919(0) |
632(0) |
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| 977432501 |
2020-09-08T20:24:04Z |
264796(-672) |
14793(-126) |
632(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place. Participation estimates made by newspaper "Nasha Niva" include 6,000 people in Gomel, 4,000 in Grodno, 3,000 in Brest, same in Vitebsk and Mogilev. Marches also took place in Baranovichi, Beloozersk, Bobruisk, Volkovysk, Glubokoye, Zhodino, Kobrin, Lida, Lyakhovichi, Mozyr, Molodcheno, Novogrudok, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Svetlogorsk, Smorgon, Soligorsk and others. While Minsk was reported to have 100,000 gathered at first, later reports list from 170,000 to 200,000 individuals to have participated in the March. About the same number of protesters confirmed their participation on the online platform "Golos" ("Voice"). Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk. Independence and Victory Squares were closed in advance and surrounded by metal barriers while Oktyabrskaya Square, an area around "Hero City of Minsk" monument as well as the Palace of Independence were occupied by water trucks wielding Rubezh anti-riot barriers. At 14:35, mobile internet of the A1 operator was disconnected. Users of other mobile operators also reported internet lockup. In the afternoon six metro stations were closed and trains did not stop at them. Throughout the city riot policemen attempted to disperse the columns from within residential districts in order to prevent protesters from reaching the center. Violent detentions with beating of people were observed near the metro stations "Pushkinskaya" and "Vostok", also near the supermarket "Rublevsky" on Chebotarev street in Traktorozavodsky village. However, people still managed to get together and march along Victors Avenue toward the Independence Palace. Once there, protesters held a demonstration for over an hour and a half, until a police warning was issued sometime after 18:00 to disperse, or be subject to detention. The remaining crowd who did not want to leave was forced into Victory Park and near Lake Komsomolskoye by OMON closing the perimeter. Protesters showing resistance were pulled back in through the police line and forcedly put in detention vans, women were only detained, but men were beaten, including those who did not show violence or resistance, as an exemplary measure. A number of detainees were overpowered and beaten by people in civilian clothes, who came as if to protest as well, but later turned out to be wearing bulletproof vests and armed with batons. Their excessive aggression was purportedly overlooked by police. Fleeing detention, remaining protesters dispersed into a wooded area of the park, but were split into two groups by police: one around the monument and another at the lakeside. Police presence at that time included six cars, three buses, five vans and other vehicles. The second crowd tried to save themselves by jumping into the lake and were subsequently rescued by the local safety volunteers who transported them to the other side of the lake. Russian blogger and journalist Alexei Romanov was among them at that time. He was detained and taken to Akrestina. Two hours later, police released him as well as other Russian citizens. This allegedly happened due to the pressure of the employees of the Russian embassy, who arrived at the detention center. In the evening volunteer rescuers who helped protesters out of the water were detained as well. At least eight employees of the station of the water rescue organization, located on Lake Komsomolskoye, were taken to the Central District Department in Minsk. Later, one of the rescuers wound up in an ambulance with a dislocated shoulder. The other was almost unconscious. Another elderly rescuer had cardiovascular issues. According to relatives, the head of OSVOD rescue station Denis Cheshun was driven from CDD to Akrestino. All the rescuers are being charged with disobedience, as apparently they did not hand over people to riot police. During the protests in Minsk, several people took refuge in the O'Petit coffee shop on Nemiga Street, locking all the doors from the inside. Soon about ten law enforcement officers in civilian clothes and masks approached the institution. Called out by police protesters refused to unlock the door, so the head of the Lead Department of Organized Crime Prevention Nikolai Karpenkov personally smashed the glass section with a truncheon. According to eyewitness reports, police brutally ousted protestors using physical force. This conflict was the first in 29 days of protests in which damage was caused to a public facility. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 633 people were detained "for participating in unauthorized mass events" that day. 363 detainees were placed under custody awaiting trial for administrative offenses. A total of 42 protest actions were recorded in various settlements of the country, and the total number of 31,000 people broke the law one way or another.
On 7 September, Maria Kolesnikova was abducted by unknown assailants in Minsk. Masked men kidnapped her and drove off in a van. The Police in Minsk denied the claims.
On 8 September 2020, Maria Kolesnikova was detained at the border with Ukrainian. There are conflicting of what happened at the border. A spokesperson for the State Border Committee claimed that Kolesnikova was trying to cross into Ukraine with the help of two of her associates, Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov.
Other accounts state that she was detained after tearing up her passport as the authorities tried to force her to cross the border.
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On 6 September, a "March of Unity" took place in Minsk and all major regional centers. According to Nasha Niva, around 6,000 people took part in the protests in Gomel, 4,000 in Grodno, 3,000 in Brest, Vitebsk and Mogilev. The protest in Minsk was reported to have up to 200,000 participants. About the same number of protesters confirmed their participation on the online platform "Golos". Columns of military and special equipment (including armored personnel carriers) with UAZ trailers were unwinding barbed wire around Independence Square in Minsk. Independence and Victory Squares were closed in advance and surrounded by metal barriers while Oktyabrskaya Square, an area around "Hero City of Minsk" monument, as well as the Palace of Independence, were occupied by water trucks wielding Rubezh anti-riot barriers. At 14:35, mobile internet of the A1 operator was disconnected. Users of other mobile operators also reported internet lockup. In the afternoon, six metro stations were closed. Throughout the city riot policemen attempted to disperse the columns of protesters from within residential districts in order to prevent protesters from reaching the center. Violent detentions with beating of people were observed near the metro stations "Pushkinskaya" and "Vostok" and near the supermarket "Rublevsky" on Chebotarev street. However, people still managed to get together and march along Victors Avenue toward the Independence Palace. Once there, protesters held a demonstration for over an hour and a half, until a police warning was issued sometime after 18:00 to disperse, or be subject to detention. The remaining crowd who did not want to leave was forced into Victory Park and near Lake Komsomolskoye by OMON. Protesters showing resistance were pulled back through the police line and put in detention vans. Women were only detained, but men were beaten, including those who did not show violence or resistance. A number of detainees were overpowered and beaten by people in civilian clothes wearing bulletproof vests and armed with batons. Their excessive aggression was purportedly overlooked by police. Fleeing detention, remaining protesters dispersed into a wooded area of the park. Some of the protesters tried to save themselves by jumping into the lake and were subsequently rescued by the local safety volunteers who transported them to the other side of the lake. A Russian blogger and journalist, Alexei Romanov, was among them at that time. He was detained and taken to Okrestina. Two hours later, police released him, as well as other Russian citizens. In the evening, rescuers who helped protesters out of the water were detained as well. At least eight employees of the station of the water rescue organization located on Lake Komsomolskoye were taken to the Central District Department in Minsk. Later, one of the rescuers wound up in an ambulance with a dislocated shoulder. The other was almost unconscious. Another elderly rescuer had cardiovascular issues. According to relatives, the head of OSVOD rescue station, Denis Cheshun, was driven from to Okrestina. All the rescuers were charged with disobedience, as apparently they did not hand over people to riot police. During the protests in Minsk, several people took refuge in the O'Petit coffee shop on Nemiga Street, locking all the doors from the inside. Soon, about ten law enforcement officers in civilian clothes, including Nikolai Karpenkov, head of the Lead Department of Organized Crime Prevention, approached the café and Karpenkov personally broke a glass door with a truncheon. This was the first time in 29 days of protests when damage was done to a public property. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 633 people were detained that day, with 363 detainees placed under custody awaiting trials for administrative offenses. A total of 42 protest actions were recorded in various settlements of the country, and the total number of 31,000 people participated in the protests across the country.
On 7 September, Maria Kolesnikova was abducted in Minsk: masked men kidnapped her and drove off in a van. The officials denied the accusations of abduction.
On 8 September, it was reported that Maria Kolesnikova was detained at the border with Ukraine while trying to cross the border with the help of two of her associates, Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov. In a further press-conference in Kiev, Rodenkov and Kravtsov reported that Kolesnikova was abducted by the Belarusian security forces and was forced to leave Belarus in Kravtsov's car, which she eventually avoided by tearing her passport apart and timely leaving the car through a window. Reportedly, in the aftermath, Kolesnikova was taken to a border troops installation in Mozyr.
|
|
| 977432783 |
2020-09-08T20:25:51Z |
264809(13) |
14795(2) |
632(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
On 8 September, it was reported that Maria Kolesnikova was detained at the border with Ukraine while trying to cross the border with the help of two of her associates, Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov. In a further press-conference in Kiev, Rodenkov and Kravtsov reported that Kolesnikova was abducted by the Belarusian security forces and was forced to leave Belarus in Kravtsov's car, which she eventually avoided by tearing her passport apart and timely leaving the car through a window. Reportedly, in the aftermath, Kolesnikova was taken to a border troops installation in Mozyr.
|
On 8 September, it was reported by officials that Maria Kolesnikova was detained at the border with Ukraine while trying to cross the border with the help of two of her associates, Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov. In a further press-conference in Kiev, Rodenkov and Kravtsov reported that Kolesnikova was abducted by the Belarusian security forces and was forced to leave Belarus in Kravtsov's car, which she eventually avoided by tearing her passport apart and timely leaving the car through a window. Reportedly, in the aftermath, Kolesnikova was taken to a border troops installation in Mozyr.
|
|
| 977434560 |
2020-09-08T20:38:28Z |
265545(736) |
14795(0) |
632(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
|
|
|
| 977435267 |
2020-09-08T20:43:36Z |
265533(-12) |
14792(-3) |
632(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
On 8 September, it was reported by officials that Maria Kolesnikova was detained at the border with Ukraine while trying to cross the border with the help of two of her associates, Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov. In a further press-conference in Kiev, Rodenkov and Kravtsov reported that Kolesnikova was abducted by the Belarusian security forces and was forced to leave Belarus in Kravtsov's car, which she eventually avoided by tearing her passport apart and timely leaving the car through a window. Reportedly, in the aftermath, Kolesnikova was taken to a border troops installation in Mozyr.
|
On 8 September, it was reported by officials that Maria Kolesnikova was detained at the border with Ukraine while trying to cross the border with two of her associates, Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov. In a further press-conference in Kiev, Rodenkov and Kravtsov reported that Kolesnikova was abducted by the Belarusian security forces and was forced to leave Belarus in Kravtsov's car, which she eventually avoided by tearing her passport apart and timely leaving the car through a window. Reportedly, in the aftermath, Kolesnikova was taken to a border troops installation in Mozyr.
|
|
| 977442585 |
2020-09-08T21:34:47Z |
265429(-104) |
14792(0) |
632(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 977445352 |
2020-09-08T21:53:09Z |
265533(104) |
14792(0) |
632(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 977446167 |
2020-09-08T21:58:26Z |
265429(-104) |
14792(0) |
632(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 977487370 |
2020-09-09T04:01:17Z |
265533(104) |
14792(0) |
632(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 977490041 |
2020-09-09T04:30:31Z |
267351(1818) |
14906(114) |
636(4) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
On 8 September, it was reported by officials that Maria Kolesnikova was detained at the border with Ukraine while trying to cross the border with two of her associates, Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov. In a further press-conference in Kiev, Rodenkov and Kravtsov reported that Kolesnikova was abducted by the Belarusian security forces and was forced to leave Belarus in Kravtsov's car, which she eventually avoided by tearing her passport apart and timely leaving the car through a window. Reportedly, in the aftermath, Kolesnikova was taken to a border troops installation in Mozyr.
|
On 8 September, it was reported by officials that Maria Kolesnikova was detained at the border with Ukraine while trying to cross the border with two of her associates, Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov. In a further press-conference in Kiev, Rodenkov and Kravtsov reported that Kolesnikova was abducted by the Belarusian security forces and was forced to leave Belarus in Kravtsov's car, which she eventually avoided by tearing her passport apart and timely leaving the car through a window. Reportedly, in the aftermath, Kolesnikova was taken to a border troops installation in Mozyr. The news was met with another protest by the end of day in Minsk. People organized a solidarity rally near Komarovsky market and about a thousand protesters marched on Vera Khoruzheva, Kuybyshev streets. Sometime between 18:00 and 20:00 the crowd gathered on Masherov Ave, demanding reaction to the recent events. The head of Sovetsky Detention Facility came towards the women, who clustered him with questions about recent detainees until he was overwhelmed and no longer able to answer. Police officers with OMON equipment quickly intervened, detaining a couple of these mothers, beating resistance and using pepperspray gas. Ten unmarked police vans were spotted on premises when the protest ended, 56 people were reported detained.
|
|
| 977490406 |
2020-09-09T04:34:29Z |
267351(0) |
14906(0) |
636(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
On 8 September, it was reported by officials that Maria Kolesnikova was detained at the border with Ukraine while trying to cross the border with two of her associates, Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov. In a further press-conference in Kiev, Rodenkov and Kravtsov reported that Kolesnikova was abducted by the Belarusian security forces and was forced to leave Belarus in Kravtsov's car, which she eventually avoided by tearing her passport apart and timely leaving the car through a window. Reportedly, in the aftermath, Kolesnikova was taken to a border troops installation in Mozyr. The news was met with another protest by the end of day in Minsk. People organized a solidarity rally near Komarovsky market and about a thousand protesters marched on Vera Khoruzheva, Kuybyshev streets. Sometime between 18:00 and 20:00 the crowd gathered on Masherov Ave, demanding reaction to the recent events. The head of Sovetsky Detention Facility came towards the women, who clustered him with questions about recent detainees until he was overwhelmed and no longer able to answer. Police officers with OMON equipment quickly intervened, detaining a couple of these mothers, beating resistance and using pepperspray gas. Ten unmarked police vans were spotted on premises when the protest ended, 56 people were reported detained.
|
On 8 September, it was reported by officials that Maria Kolesnikova was detained at the border with Ukraine while trying to cross the border with two of her associates, Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov. In a further press-conference in Kiev, Rodenkov and Kravtsov reported that Kolesnikova was abducted by the Belarusian security forces and was forced to leave Belarus in Kravtsov's car, which she eventually avoided by tearing her passport apart and timely leaving the car through a window. Reportedly, in the aftermath, Kolesnikova was taken to a border troops installation in Mozyr. The news was met with another protest by the end of day in Minsk. People organized a solidarity rally near Komarovsky market and about a thousand protesters marched on Vera Khoruzhaya, Kuibyshev streets. Sometime between 18:00 and 20:00 the crowd gathered on Masherov Ave, demanding reaction to the recent events. The head of Sovetsky Detention Facility came towards the women, who clustered him with questions about recent detainees until he was overwhelmed and no longer able to answer. Police officers with OMON equipment quickly intervened, detaining a couple of these mothers, beating resistance and using pepperspray gas. Ten unmarked police vans were spotted on premises when the protest ended, 56 people were reported detained.
|
|
| 977505381 |
2020-09-09T07:05:44Z |
267386(35) |
14906(0) |
636(0) |
Post-election |
On 8 September, it was reported by officials that Maria Kolesnikova was detained at the border with Ukraine while trying to cross the border with two of her associates, Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov. In a further press-conference in Kiev, Rodenkov and Kravtsov reported that Kolesnikova was abducted by the Belarusian security forces and was forced to leave Belarus in Kravtsov's car, which she eventually avoided by tearing her passport apart and timely leaving the car through a window. Reportedly, in the aftermath, Kolesnikova was taken to a border troops installation in Mozyr. The news was met with another protest by the end of day in Minsk. People organized a solidarity rally near Komarovsky market and about a thousand protesters marched on Vera Khoruzhaya, Kuibyshev streets. Sometime between 18:00 and 20:00 the crowd gathered on Masherov Ave, demanding reaction to the recent events. The head of Sovetsky Detention Facility came towards the women, who clustered him with questions about recent detainees until he was overwhelmed and no longer able to answer. Police officers with OMON equipment quickly intervened, detaining a couple of these mothers, beating resistance and using pepperspray gas. Ten unmarked police vans were spotted on premises when the protest ended, 56 people were reported detained.
|
On 8 September, it was reported by Belarusian officials that Maria Kolesnikova was detained at the border with Ukraine while trying to cross the border with two of her associates, Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov. In a further press-conference in Kiev, Rodenkov and Kravtsov reported that Kolesnikova was abducted by Belarusian security forces and was forced to leave Belarus in Kravtsov's car, which she eventually avoided by tearing her passport apart and timely leaving the car through a window. Reportedly, in the aftermath, Kolesnikova was taken to a border troops installation in Mozyr. The news was met with another protest by the end of day in Minsk. People organized a solidarity rally near Komarovsky market and about a thousand protesters marched on Vera Khoruzhaya, Kuibyshev streets. Sometime between 18:00 and 20:00 the crowd gathered on Masherov Ave, demanding reaction to the recent events. The head of Sovetsky Detention Facility came towards the women, who clustered him with questions about recent detainees until he was overwhelmed and no longer able to answer. Police officers with OMON equipment quickly intervened, detaining a couple of these mothers, beating resistance and using pepperspray gas. Ten unmarked police vans were spotted on premises when the protest ended, 56 people were reported detained.
|
|
| 977505944 |
2020-09-09T07:12:53Z |
267391(5) |
14907(1) |
636(0) |
Before the election |
Tikhanovsky's wife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya registered as a candidate in the upcoming election after the arrest of Babaryka. Lukashenko insisted the constitution was not ready for women to become president. Unregistered candidate Valeriy Tsepkalo's wife Veronika Tsepkalo announced that she and Maria Kalesnikava, head of the Babaryka's presidential campaign staff, would join and provide support to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
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Tikhanovsky's wife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya registered as a candidate in the upcoming election after the arrest of Babaryka. Lukashenko insisted the country was not ready for a woman to become president. Unregistered candidate Valeriy Tsepkalo's wife Veronika Tsepkalo announced that she and Maria Kalesnikava, head of Babaryka's presidential campaign staff, would join Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's campaign and and provide support.
|
|
| 977530640 |
2020-09-09T11:25:59Z |
267396(5) |
14908(1) |
636(0) |
Background |
During the presidential campaign, presidential candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya stated that the people of Belarus had to find a way to protect their vote. According to an interview with Franak Viačorka, son of opposition leader Vincuk Viačorka, the protests against Lukashenko have been "leaderless".
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During the 2020 presidential campaign, presidential candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya stated that the people of Belarus had to find a way to protect their vote. According to an interview with Franak Viačorka, son of opposition leader Vincuk Viačorka, the protests against Lukashenko have been "leaderless".
|
|
| 977530899 |
2020-09-09T11:28:07Z |
267395(-1) |
14908(0) |
636(0) |
|
During an interview, Lukashenko claimed that the opposition protests were a part of a plot orchestrated by foreigners, whom he suggested might be Americans, NATO members, Russians, or even Ukrainians. On 19 June, Lukashenko announced that he had "foiled a coup attempt", resulting in the arrest of main opposition rival Viktar Babaryka. According to CNN, Babaryka stated that the charges of bribery and corruption were falsified and the arrest was politically motivated to stop him from winning the presidential election.
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During an interview, Lukashenko claimed that the opposition protests were a part of a plot orchestrated by foreigners, who he suggested might be Americans, NATO members, Russians, or even Ukrainians. On 19 June, Lukashenko announced that he had "foiled a coup attempt", resulting in the arrest of main opposition rival Viktar Babaryka. According to CNN, Babaryka stated that the charges of bribery and corruption were falsified and the arrest was politically motivated to stop him from winning the presidential election.
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|
| 977539225 |
2020-09-09T12:46:19Z |
267399(4) |
14908(0) |
636(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
|
|
|
| 977540980 |
2020-09-09T13:02:11Z |
267295(-104) |
14908(0) |
636(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 977541715 |
2020-09-09T13:08:41Z |
267457(162) |
14934(26) |
636(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
|
Maxim Znak was arrested in Minsk by masked men. He is one of the only remaining members of the Belarusian opposition's Coordination Council that was still free.
|
|
| 977541768 |
2020-09-09T13:09:10Z |
267559(102) |
14950(16) |
636(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
Maxim Znak was arrested in Minsk by masked men. He is one of the only remaining members of the Belarusian opposition's Coordination Council that was still free.
|
Maxim Znak was arrested in Minsk by masked men. He is one of the only remaining members of the Belarusian opposition's Coordination Council that was still free. His imprisonment came one day after Maria Kolesnikova was taken into custody at the Ukrainian border.
|
|
| 977541818 |
2020-09-09T13:09:32Z |
267663(104) |
14963(13) |
636(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
Maxim Znak was arrested in Minsk by masked men. He is one of the only remaining members of the Belarusian opposition's Coordination Council that was still free. His imprisonment came one day after Maria Kolesnikova was taken into custody at the Ukrainian border.
|
Maxim Znak was arrested in Minsk by masked men. He is one of the only remaining members of the Belarusian opposition's Coordination Council that was still free. His imprisonment came one day after Maria Kolesnikova was taken into custody at the Ukrainian border.Znak had previously worked as a lawyer for imprisoned Belarusian presidential candidate Viktor Babaryko.
|
|
| 977541956 |
2020-09-09T13:10:50Z |
267904(241) |
14963(0) |
637(1) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
|
|
|
| 977542154 |
2020-09-09T13:12:33Z |
267909(5) |
14964(1) |
637(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
Maxim Znak was arrested in Minsk by masked men. He is one of the only remaining members of the Belarusian opposition's Coordination Council that was still free. His imprisonment came one day after Maria Kolesnikova was taken into custody at the Ukrainian border.Znak had previously worked as a lawyer for imprisoned Belarusian presidential candidate Viktor Babaryko.
|
Maxim Znak was arrested in Minsk by masked men. He is one of the only remaining members of the Belarusian opposition's Coordination Council that was still free. His imprisonment came one day after Maria Kolesnikova was taken into custody at the Ukrainian border. Znak had previously worked as a lawyer for imprisoned Belarusian presidential candidate Viktor Babaryko.
|
|
| 977542326 |
2020-09-09T13:14:29Z |
267945(36) |
14965(1) |
637(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
Maxim Znak was arrested in Minsk by masked men. He is one of the only remaining members of the Belarusian opposition's Coordination Council that was still free. His imprisonment came one day after Maria Kolesnikova was taken into custody at the Ukrainian border. Znak had previously worked as a lawyer for imprisoned Belarusian presidential candidate Viktor Babaryko.
|
Maxim Znak was arrested in Minsk by masked men. He is one of the only remaining members of the Belarusian opposition's Coordination Council that was still free. His imprisonment came one day after Maria Kolesnikova was taken into custody at the Ukrainian border. Znak had previously worked as a lawyer for imprisoned Belarusian presidential candidate Viktor Babaryko.
|
|
| 977542402 |
2020-09-09T13:15:13Z |
267949(4) |
14965(0) |
637(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
Maxim Znak was arrested in Minsk by masked men. He is one of the only remaining members of the Belarusian opposition's Coordination Council that was still free. His imprisonment came one day after Maria Kolesnikova was taken into custody at the Ukrainian border. Znak had previously worked as a lawyer for imprisoned Belarusian presidential candidate Viktor Babaryko.
|
Maxim Znak was arrested in Minsk by masked men. He is one of the only remaining members of the Belarusian opposition's Coordination Council that was still free. His imprisonment came one day after Maria Kolesnikova was taken into custody at the Ukrainian border. Znak had previously worked as a lawyer for imprisoned Belarusian presidential candidate Viktar Babaryka.
|
|
| 977549196 |
2020-09-09T14:16:05Z |
268319(370) |
14965(0) |
638(1) |
|
|
|
|
| 977550126 |
2020-09-09T14:23:40Z |
269301(982) |
14981(16) |
641(3) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
On 8 September, it was reported by Belarusian officials that Maria Kolesnikova was detained at the border with Ukraine while trying to cross the border with two of her associates, Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov. In a further press-conference in Kiev, Rodenkov and Kravtsov reported that Kolesnikova was abducted by Belarusian security forces and was forced to leave Belarus in Kravtsov's car, which she eventually avoided by tearing her passport apart and timely leaving the car through a window. Reportedly, in the aftermath, Kolesnikova was taken to a border troops installation in Mozyr. The news was met with another protest by the end of day in Minsk. People organized a solidarity rally near Komarovsky market and about a thousand protesters marched on Vera Khoruzhaya, Kuibyshev streets. Sometime between 18:00 and 20:00 the crowd gathered on Masherov Ave, demanding reaction to the recent events. The head of Sovetsky Detention Facility came towards the women, who clustered him with questions about recent detainees until he was overwhelmed and no longer able to answer. Police officers with OMON equipment quickly intervened, detaining a couple of these mothers, beating resistance and using pepperspray gas. Ten unmarked police vans were spotted on premises when the protest ended, 56 people were reported detained.
Maxim Znak was arrested in Minsk by masked men. He is one of the only remaining members of the Belarusian opposition's Coordination Council that was still free. His imprisonment came one day after Maria Kolesnikova was taken into custody at the Ukrainian border. Znak had previously worked as a lawyer for imprisoned Belarusian presidential candidate Viktar Babaryka.
|
On 8 September, it was reported by Belarusian officials that Maria Kolesnikova was detained at the border with Ukraine while trying to cross the border with two of her associates, Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov. In a further press-conference in Kiev, Rodenkov and Kravtsov reported that Kolesnikova was abducted by Belarusian security forces and was forced to leave Belarus in Kravtsov's car, which she eventually avoided by tearing her passport apart and timely leaving the car through a window. Reportedly, in the aftermath, Kolesnikova was taken to a border troops installation in Mozyr. The news was met with another protest by the end of day in Minsk. People organized a solidarity rally near Komarovsky market and about a thousand protesters marched on Vera Khoruzhaya, Kuibyshev streets. Sometime between 18:00 and 20:00 the crowd gathered on Masherov Ave, demanding reaction to the recent events. The head of Sovetsky Detention Facility came towards the women, who swarmed him with questions about recent detainees until he was overwhelmed and no longer able to answer. Police officers with OMON equipment quickly intervened, detaining a couple of these mothers, beating resistance and using pepperspray gas. Ten unmarked police vans were spotted on premises when the protest ended, 56 people were reported detained.
On 9 September, Tsikhanouskaya recorded a video in which she addressed the Russian people, thanking them for their support and solidarity. The remaining two members of Belarusian opposition's Coordination Council, Maxim Znak and Ilya Saley, were detained the same day. Znak was arrested in Minsk by masked men. He had previously worked as a lawyer for imprisoned Belarusian presidential candidate Viktar Babaryka. Saley, also a lawyer, was the executive secretary of the Council.
|
|
| 977550503 |
2020-09-09T14:26:40Z |
269403(102) |
14999(18) |
641(0) |
Coordination Council |
A spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed that the leadership of the Coordination Council did not want to reduce ties with Russia and instead hoped to continue with good bilateral relationships between the two countries.
|
A spokesperson for Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed that the leadership of the Coordination Council did not want to reduce ties with Russia and instead hoped to continue with good bilateral relationships between the two countries. By 9 September, all of the members have either been arrested, or fled the country by different means.
|
|
| 977551166 |
2020-09-09T14:31:58Z |
269781(378) |
15014(15) |
642(1) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
On 9 September, Tsikhanouskaya recorded a video in which she addressed the Russian people, thanking them for their support and solidarity. The remaining two members of Belarusian opposition's Coordination Council, Maxim Znak and Ilya Saley, were detained the same day. Znak was arrested in Minsk by masked men. He had previously worked as a lawyer for imprisoned Belarusian presidential candidate Viktar Babaryka. Saley, also a lawyer, was the executive secretary of the Council.
|
On 9 September, Tsikhanouskaya recorded a video in which she addressed the Russian people, thanking them for their support and solidarity. The remaining two members of Belarusian opposition's Coordination Council, Maxim Znak and Ilya Saley, were detained the same day. Znak was arrested in Minsk by masked men. He had previously worked as a lawyer for imprisoned Belarusian presidential candidate Viktar Babaryka. Saley, also a lawyer, was the executive secretary of the Council. As of 9 September Maria Kolesnikova remains in police custody on Volodarsky St, awaiting trial.
|
|
| 977552522 |
2020-09-09T14:43:41Z |
269411(-370) |
15014(0) |
641(-1) |
|
|
|
|
| 977556066 |
2020-09-09T15:11:00Z |
269409(-2) |
15014(0) |
641(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
On 8 September, it was reported by Belarusian officials that Maria Kolesnikova was detained at the border with Ukraine while trying to cross the border with two of her associates, Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov. In a further press-conference in Kiev, Rodenkov and Kravtsov reported that Kolesnikova was abducted by Belarusian security forces and was forced to leave Belarus in Kravtsov's car, which she eventually avoided by tearing her passport apart and timely leaving the car through a window. Reportedly, in the aftermath, Kolesnikova was taken to a border troops installation in Mozyr. The news was met with another protest by the end of day in Minsk. People organized a solidarity rally near Komarovsky market and about a thousand protesters marched on Vera Khoruzhaya, Kuibyshev streets. Sometime between 18:00 and 20:00 the crowd gathered on Masherov Ave, demanding reaction to the recent events. The head of Sovetsky Detention Facility came towards the women, who swarmed him with questions about recent detainees until he was overwhelmed and no longer able to answer. Police officers with OMON equipment quickly intervened, detaining a couple of these mothers, beating resistance and using pepperspray gas. Ten unmarked police vans were spotted on premises when the protest ended, 56 people were reported detained.
|
On 8 September, it was reported by Belarusian officials that Maria Kolesnikova was detained at the border with Ukraine while trying to cross the border with two of her associates, Anton Rodnenkov and Ivan Kravtsov. In a further press-conference in Kiev, Rodenkov and Kravtsov reported that Kolesnikova was abducted by Belarusian security forces and was forced to leave Belarus in Kravtsov's car, which she eventually avoided by tearing her passport apart and timely leaving the car through a window. Reportedly, in the aftermath, Kolesnikova was taken to a border troop installation in Mozyr. The news was met with another protest by the end of day in Minsk. People organized a solidarity rally near Komarovsky market and about a thousand protesters marched on Vera Khoruzhaya, Kuibyshev streets. Sometime between 18:00 and 20:00 the crowd gathered on Masherov Ave, demanding reaction to the recent events. The head of Sovetsky Detention Facility came towards the women, who swarmed him with questions about recent detainees until he was overwhelmed and no longer able to answer. Police officers with OMON equipment quickly intervened, detaining, beating and using pepperspray gas against the protesters. Ten unmarked police vans were spotted on premises when the protest ended, 56 people were reported to have been detained.
|
|
| 977557606 |
2020-09-09T15:23:12Z |
269409(0) |
15014(0) |
641(0) |
Fifth week (6 September onward) |
|
|
|
| 977563027 |
2020-09-09T16:01:22Z |
269405(-4) |
15013(-1) |
641(0) |
|
Tikhanovsky's wife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya registered as a candidate in the upcoming election after the arrest of Babaryka. Lukashenko insisted the country was not ready for a woman to become president. Unregistered candidate Valeriy Tsepkalo's wife Veronika Tsepkalo announced that she and Maria Kalesnikava, head of Babaryka's presidential campaign staff, would join Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's campaign and and provide support.
|
Tikhanovsky's wife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya registered as a candidate in the upcoming election after the arrest of Babaryka. Lukashenko insisted the country was not ready for a woman to become president. Unregistered candidate Valeriy Tsepkalo's wife Veronika Tsepkalo announced that she and Maria Kalesnikava, head of Babaryka's presidential campaign staff, would join Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's campaign and provide support.
|
|
| 977570045 |
2020-09-09T16:52:43Z |
269405(0) |
15013(0) |
641(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 977570204 |
2020-09-09T16:53:48Z |
269356(-49) |
15013(0) |
641(0) |
Deaths |
|
|
|
| 977573943 |
2020-09-09T17:19:55Z |
269340(-16) |
15013(0) |
641(0) |
|
|
|
|
| 977574329 |
2020-09-09T17:21:56Z |
270290(950) |
15013(0) |
641(0) |
|
|
|
|
