Belarus opens criminal case against opposition leaders

Belarus’s chief lawyer has launched a criminal case against opposition leaders, accusing them of trying to seize power.

The indictment of Alexander Konyuk states that the “creation and activity of the [opposition] “Coordinating governments are aimed at occupying state power, and at the expense of national security.”

Earlier, President Alexander Lukashenko ordered police to end the massive protests against him in the capital, Minsk.

His victory in elections on August 9 is being contested.

Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, currently in neighboring Lithuania, announced the creation of a Coordinating Council to ensure a transfer of power. She also asked foreign governments to “help us organize a dialogue with Belarusian authorities”.

Chief Prosecutor Konyuk read the indictment against the council in a video statement, saying “the creation of such bodies is not allowed by law, and they are unconstitutional.

“Several citizens, realizing that such activities are illegal, have said they are holding the council and do not agree with their goals.”

There have been 10 days of street protests over Mr Lukashenko’s victory, which was widely dismissed as fraudulent.

• The most striking photos from Belarus protests

The results have been rejected by major international powers. On Tuesday, EU leaders agreed to impose sanctions on Mr Lukashenko.

Maxim Znak, member of the presidium of the Coordination Council, said that several councilors had announced that they were leaving the new body, following the accusations of the authorities there.

But Nobel Prize-winning author Svetlana Alexievich, a vocal critic of Mr Lukashenko, remains in the presidency, Mr Znak told Interfax news agency. The council met on Wednesday.

Ms Tikhanovskaya told EU leaders via video that the council would lead the process of a “peaceful transition of power through dialogue” and called for “new, fair and democratic presidential elections with international oversight”.

But on Wednesday, Mr Lukashenko approved a cabinet that would retain Roman Golovchenko as prime minister, along with many other key members of the previous government reappointed, the Tut.by news network reported.

Among those on the list to stay in place was Interior Minister Yuri Karayev, whose responsibilities include police and public safety.

Media playback is not supported on your device