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The protests against the Belarusian head of state, Lukashenko, have lasted for almost eight weeks. On Saturdays the street is for women. Arrests were made again during the solidarity march of the opposition Tichanowsjaka party.
They do not want to accept another mandate for the head of state Alexander Lukashenko: hundreds of women have gathered once again for the protest marches in Belarus. In central parts of the capital Minsk, women formed groups and shouted “Shame”. Police vans waited on the streets. Video footage shows masked security forces arresting several women.
The Wesna Center for Human Rights spoke of around 60 people arrested, including women journalists. The security forces dragged the women onto the buses by their hands and feet. People were also picked up in front of shopping centers. Well-known activist Nina Baginskaya was among the protesters. The 73-year-old man, one of the central figures in the protest movement, was kidnapped by the security forces.
“March of Solidarity”
The protests in the former Soviet republic have lasted almost eight weeks. With the “Solidarity March”, which takes place regularly on Saturdays, the women want to support the opposition Svetlana Tichanovskaya, whom they consider the true winner of the August 9 elections. Saturday’s demonstration was this time designed as a “festive rehearsal of a true inauguration by the people,” it was said beforehand. “Let’s show who our president is.”
Lukashenko’s power apparatus urged Tichanovskaya shortly after the elections to leave for neighboring EU country Lithuania. After the vote, overshadowed by massive manipulation, Lukashenko himself declared himself the winner with more than 80 percent of the vote. He has been in power for 26 years. On Wednesday, the politician, described as the “last dictator in Europe”, took the oath without warning.
Great demo planned
A large demonstration is scheduled for Sunday. The protesters are demanding new elections without Lukashenko, the release of all political prisoners and the prosecution of police violence.
The EU does not recognize the elections and is planning sanctions against some 40 representatives of the Belarusian government, including Lukashenko himself.
