Thousands of people protest in the streets of the inauguration of the Lukasenko robber … Police fight against water cannons

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who is under pressure to withdraw due to allegations of fraudulent elections, held an inauguration ceremony without notice. Thousands of people who heard the news took to the streets to protest, and the injured one after another while the police extinguished with water cannons and tear gas.

On the 23rd (local time), protesters against the inauguration of President Lukasenko are being arrested by riot police in Minsk, the Belarusian capital. [AP=연합뉴스]

According to Interfax on the 23rd (local time), the protests took place simultaneously in the city square of Minsk, the Belarusian capital, and in the university district.

The protesters marched with old flags shouting slogans such as “President Lukasenko is a swindler, naked king” and “Why are you afraid of us?” Also, crossing the roads by crossing your arms to form human chains.

On the night of the 23rd, the Belarusian police are firing water cannons at the protesters. [트위터 @HannaLiubakova 캡처]

In response, the Belarusian authorities dispatched riot police and deployed water cannons to protest. The police raided the protesters, brandished clubs and forced them to subdue the protesters with force.

Belarusian citizens in street protests demanding the resignation of the president on the 23rd. According to local media, the number of protesters on the day is estimated between 5,000 and 6,000.

During the crackdown, some witnesses said they also heard shots. On social media, videos of protesters being chased by the police were flooded with posts asking for help. Interfax reported that dozens of people were injured and more than 200 people were arrested due to armed repression by the police.

Riot police raided the protesters and forced them to arrest them. [트위터 @HannaLiubakova캡처]

The Belarusian opposition protested that it could not admit the inauguration of President Lukasenko. Svetlana Tihanovskaya, the opposition presidential candidate, issued a statement and criticized “this ‘self-proclaimed inauguration’ as a sham.”

The international community, including the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom, immediately issued a statement and publicly criticized President Lukaschenko.

In a statement, the US State Department said: “The results of the Belarusian elections have not been legitimately justified. They also demanded that the detainees be released and that the repression of the people cease.

British Foreign Minister Dominic Rab tweeted criticizing Lukasenko’s inauguration. [트위터 캡처]

Germany also said it “does not recognize the results of the Belarusian presidential elections” and requested that the European Union (EU) approve a plan to sanction 40 officials involved in repressing the protests.

British Foreign Minister Dominic Rab tweeted: “President Lukaschenko misled the people with illegal elections. The secret inauguration ceremony increased mistrust. ”

President Lukashenko, who is called the “last dictator of Europe”, suddenly held an inauguration ceremony without revealing it to the media. In his opening speech, he said: “The opening ceremony is a day to commemorate a certain and significant victory for all of us.

“We don’t just elect a president. We have upheld Belarusian values, a peaceful life, sovereignty and independence. In this sense, we have much more work to do ”.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukasenko will hold the opening ceremony on the 23rd (local time).[EPA=연합뉴스]

President Lukashenko, who has been president for 26 years since 1994, won the presidential election last month with more than 80% of the vote and achieved his sixth consecutive term.

The opposition immediately raised suspicions of illegal elections, and citizens have been protesting massively for more than a month calling for the president’s resignation. The EU also said it could not admit the results of the Belarusian presidential elections and said it would discuss the sanctions measures in Belarus at a meeting of foreign ministers next month.

Reporter Lee Min-jung [email protected]