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Protests in Belarus
Protests in Belarus
Car horns have turned into an instrument of opposition here. Drivers honk in
support of the crowds. People wave back and cheer.
"[We] can breathe freedom for the first time in our lives! It's an amazing feeling,"
said Andrey, 33.
Many feel elated and optimistic that a new beginning is awaiting Belarus after 26
years of President Lukashenko's rule.
Protesters chant anti-government slogans in a show of defiance
"We are sure that everything will change. We believe in our victory. That's why
we will come out onto the street every single day," said Yekaterina, who joined
the crowd in the centre of Minsk on Saturday.
Anger has overcome fear here. Now, people openly go out to peacefully protest.
But just a few days ago, violent clashes between police and protesters spread
terror amongst Belarusians.
We witnessed how riot police and special forces grabbed people on the streets at
random and threw them into police vans.
Pedestrians, passers-by - anyone became a target. Police stopped cyclists, tackled
them to the ground and arrested them. They bent the arms of those who were
talking on the phone and dragged them away. Even those who just got off a bus
on their way home were detained.
Sergiy says riot police in Belarus threatened to burn him alive
Such violence has fuelled the anger amongst the people of Belarus. Instead of
night protests with running battles, people now come out on to the streets during
the daytime. Initially led by women, the movement has gathered pace across the
country.
Major factories announced they were going on strike in protest against police
brutality. At a meeting of workers of the famous BelAZ factory, which produces
trucks and buses, workers chanted "Leave" - demanding Mr Lukashenko step
down.
"We demand free elections," said Pavel, a factory worker. "We demand a change
of power, we demand freedom and democracy and peace in our homes," he
added, his voice breaking with emotion.
Lukashenko says that Russia has agreed to offer security assistance
These protests that are spreading across the country are a major blow to
Alexander Lukashenko's claim that he won more than 80% of the popular vote
during the presidential election. His regime is under pressure like never before.
Even state TV employees declared they would go on strike from Monday. One of
their demands is to stop the censorship on TV and allow objective coverage of
events in the country.
Despite such an unprecedented challenge to his rule, Mr Lukashenko is not ready
to give up power.
At a defence ministry meeting on Saturday, Mr Lukashenko said that he was
worried about Nato military drills near the country's borders. He claimed that he
had reached an agreement with President Vladimir Putin for Russia to provide
"comprehensive assistance to maintain security in Belarus".
Many here interpret this statement as a direct threat to end the protests with a
bloodbath with the Kremlin's help.
The violence that was used by the regime before only fuelled more
demonstrations. The question is how far Mr Lukashenko is willing to go in order
to maintain his grip on power.