Belarus’s opposition leader calls for new protests as Lukashenko’s pressure grows

MINSK (Reuters) – Belarussian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has called for more protests and an election campaign, raising pressure on authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko as he faces the biggest challenge in his 26 years.

In a video posted on YouTube of self-imposed exile in Lithuania, Tsikhanouskaya asked supporters to request an official inquiry into allegations that Lukashenko rigged last Sunday’s presidential election.

At least two Protestants were killed and thousands captured in a violent collapse this week. The European Union is considering new sanctions on Belarus, which Russia sees as a strategic buffer against NATO and the EU.

“Belarusians will never want to live with the old authorities again,” Tsikhanouskaya said. ‘Let’s defend our choice. Do not stay on the sidelines. Our voices need to be heard. ”

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets for the sixth day in a row demanding Lukashenko’s resignation. Protesters were collaborated by workers at some of the state-owned industrial plants that are at the center of his Soviet-style economic model.

When the crowd gathered in the parliament building on Independence Square in Minsk, at least two helmet security officials removed their riot shields, prompting women to run forward to hug and offer flowers.

In a carnival atmosphere, marchers held up balloons, flags and placards and said “we will not forget, we will not forgive”. Horns of passing cars blow in solidarity.

In a rare turnout, the government had earlier apologized for the use of force as it freed more than 2,000 Protestants from detention.

Several suffered severe bruising and complained of beatings, cramped conditions and hunger pangs within the cells. The government denied abuse of detainees.

One teacher trembled and cried quietly as they held flowers outside the State Philharmonic concert hall, along with a poster that read “I am a teacher, and I want to be proud of it!”.

‘GO AWAY’

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the bloc’s chief executive, called for sanctions against ‘those who’ violated democratic values ​​or abused human rights in Belarus’.

Belarus’s Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei told his Swiss counterpart in a call that Minsk was ready for “constructive and objective dialogue with foreign partners” on election-related issues, state news agency BelTA reported.

Russia, which has urged Lukashenko to accept closer political and economic ties, expressed concern this week about what it portrayed as attempts by external forces to destabilize Belarus.

Lukashenko, a 65-year-old who once ran a Soviet collective farm, is facing growing anger over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, such as a sluggish economy and civil rights.

The official election result gave him a landslide victory with 80% of the vote, compared to about 10% for Tsikhanouskaya. Washington said the vote was “not free and fair”.

State television calmly told him of a meeting: “I’m still alive, and not abroad.”

But even sections of society that are normally seen as loyal have begun to dare to appear dissent.

Several television presenters and journalists from the tightly controlled state media fired this week in solidarity with the protesters.

Thousands of workers protested Friday at the Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ), which makes trucks and buses, singing “Shame on you!” and “Go!”, reflect the unrest seen at several major factories this week. At the chemical plant Grodno Azot, a sea of ​​workers in orange helmets clapped and cheered ‘prison!’

Tsikhanouskaya, a 37-year-old former English teacher, emerged from obscurity a few weeks ago to take her husband’s place in the election campaign after he was imprisoned. She has now led some of the biggest protests against Lukashenko since he came to power with the fall of the Soviet Union.

Shortly after the election, she fled to Lithuania, saying it was for the sake of her children. On Friday, she called on the international community to facilitate talks with the authorities and said they wanted to set up a council to enable a transfer of power, a proposal that was quickly endorsed by the President of Lithuania.

Lukashenko has accused a plot with foreign support to destabilize Belarus and dismissed the protesters as criminals and people without work.