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The protesters chanted: “Long live Belarus!” Many carried the historic white, red and white flag. Lukashenko’s opponent, Svetlana Tichanovskaya, said in exile in the EU that there was “very active” participation in the country after a general strike was called. Medical personnel, computer companies and students have participated, as well as many private companies. “It is an incredible level of solidarity,” said the 38-year-old opposition leader. “That’s just the beginning.”
Tichanovskaya gives Lukashenko an ultimatum
Tichanowskaja had given Lukashenko an ultimatum until Sunday to resign from his post, end police violence, release political prisoners and call new elections. Unsurprisingly, the 66-year-old autocrat missed the deadline.
On the Telegram news channel there were several messages and videos from companies said to have joined the strike call on Monday. However, the government emphasized that operations in all state-owned companies are going according to plan. Industry Minister Pyotr Parchomchik only spoke of some “waves”. The strike calls did not cause any economic damage.
Russia is closely monitoring the situation
In neighboring Russia, on which Belarus depends economically, the situation is being closely monitored, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov of the Interfax agency. Russia has an interest in the smooth running of factories.
Tichanovskaya asked people to show the “regime” that it had lost all support. He stressed that he understands when people fear for his work. But he also recalled an aid fund to support those in need, which has now been filled with seven million US dollars (5.9 million euros) through donations. Many would have to participate in the shutdown to stop Lukashenko’s state machine, he said.
Injured during protests in Belarus
After the new excesses of violence by uniformed workers against protesters on Sunday in Minsk, there were more and more actions than usual for a Monday in Belarus. According to health authorities, 13 people were injured when Interior Ministry troops detonated flares, smoke and noise grenades on Sunday. Five seriously injured had to be hospitalized.
“The regime has shown the people of Belarus once again that violence is the only thing it is capable of,” Tichanovskaya said. It shows no force if such grenades were thrown into the crowd and detonated under a maternity hospital. They will fight to end anarchy. Analyst Artjom Schraibman said that the outcome of the strike is not so important, it is crucial to take the initiative in the political crisis. And Lukashenko is on the defensive.
The EU wants the protests to be respected
The EU called on the Belarusian authorities not to sanction the participants in the general strike. Such protests are one of the fundamental rights that must be respected, said a spokesman for the EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in Brussels. Basically, the EU remains concerned about the use of force against peaceful protesters and about the conduct of the authorities. There is still no dialogue on how to resolve the conflict in the country.
Since the controversial presidential elections on August 9, there have been repeated protests in the former Soviet republic because Lukashenko, after 26 years in power, was declared the winner with around 80 percent of the vote. The democratic movement claims the victory of Tichanovskaya. The EU supports Lukashenko’s opponents and no longer recognizes the president for a long time. Lukashenko receives support from Russia.
(Quelle: What / Dpa)
