Belarus: Diplomats visit Nobel laureate Alekseevich during ‘trouble’


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  • Belarusian presidential election 2020

The image shows Svetlana Alekseevich surrounded by diplomats

Image copyright pyriteTwitter / nAnnLinde

Image citationPicture of Svetlana Alekseevich at home in Minsk, surrounded by European diplomats

European diplomats photographed the home of the Nobel Prize-winning author in Belarus, when he said masked men tried to break in.

Svetlana Alekseevich called reporters to her home on Wednesday after the incident.

He is still the last prominent member of the opposition coordination committee in Belarus who has not been detained.

The government has broken the deadlock after protests erupted across the country following the disputed election.

Maria Kolesnikova, one of three women who joined forces to challenge incumbent President Alexander Nder Lukashenko in Ia Gust’s vote, is currently in custody.

She had earlier this week resisted efforts by authorities to expel her from Ukraine.

His lawyer told local news site TTB he was being held on suspicion of “seizing state power.”

And on Wednesday, witnesses reported that Maxim Znak, a lawyer and other member of the co-committee council, was being led by men in plain clothes on a street in the capital, Minsk.

Thousands have been arrested in the crackdown by the opposition and its supporters.

Officials announced Wednesday that 121 people had been detained in a nationwide protest a day earlier. Hundreds more were arrested on Sunday in the fourth consecutive week of anti-government protests.

What’s the latest on Svetlana Alekseevich?

Said Mrs. Alekseevich, a Nobel Prize-winning author and journalist He told her to come to his house after harassing the supporters With door knock and phone call. He said masked men had earlier tried to enter his apartment.
Sweden’s Foreign Minister Anne Linde tweeted a picture Writer at home in Minsk, surrounded by European diplomats, late Wednesday night.

“Harassment, arrest [and] Mandatory deportation of protesters … is a serious violation of peaceful protest, “he said. Glad to share this photo taken a moment ago in Minsk. “

Image copyright pyriteEPA
Image citationSvetlana Alekseevich called reporters and supporters to her home, alleging that masked men tried to enter.
In a statement posted on the Belarusian Pen Center’s website, Ms. The Co-ordination Council “wants to start a dialogue in society,” Alexievich said.

Following the election, the opposition called for the formation of a committee to peacefully transfer power.

He wrote, “We were not preparing for an uprising. We want to prevent partition in our country.” “It simply came to our notice then [council] That rebellion. The country revolted. “

And what happened to Maxim Znak?

The 39-year-old, who previously worked as a lawyer for jailed presidential candidate Victor Babriko, was scheduled to attend a video call on Wednesday but failed to dial.

When a friend called him, Mr. Znak said someone had come and then hung up.

He then texted the word “mask” to a group, an activist told local media. This is believed to be a reference to the face masks worn by the Belarusian security services.

Media CitationWhat is behind the protests in Belarus?

Witnesses then reported that Mr Znak was led down the street near his offices by masked men in civilian clothes.

On Monday, Mr Znak told the BBC he was concerned about his safety.

“I do not know,” he said. “It’s a professional habit – but really I’m very worried and scared.”

Police have not yet commented on reports of his detention.

What else is happening?

On Wednesday, deported opposition leader Svetlana Tikhnovskaya visited the Polish capital, Warsaw, where she gave a speech at a university and called for peaceful protests in Belarus.

“I think it is impossible to fight violence and give up violence,” he said.

He also demanded the immediate release of Mr. Znak.

“The methods employed by the so-called officials are abusive,” he said in a statement. “It is clear that Lukashenko is afraid of negotiations and is trying to paralyze the work of the Co-ordination Council and intimidate its members.”

Media CitationProtesters took to the streets of Minsk and demonstrated outside President Lukashenko’s palace.

Mr Lukashenko’s main rival in last month’s election, Mrs Tikhanovskaya, was forced into exile in neighboring Lithuania soon after she won the vote.

She entered the race after her husband, Sergei Tikhanovsky, and another candidate were jailed.

Mr Lukashenko, meanwhile, is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on September 14. The pair will discuss energy cooperation, regional conflicts and many other topics, reports RIA News Agency.

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