Following Cichanouskaya’s ultimatum, Belarusian militias threaten to punish those who urge protests

“Those who call [protestuoti]”In any case, … he will be prosecuted under Belarusian law,” Ivan Kubrakov, head of the Interior Board of the Minsk City Executive Committee, told ONT. According to him, the militia has “sufficient capacities, means and capacities” for this.

“We are working with the Investigation Committee to explain to all the people here that it is calling from outside,” said the head of the Minsk militia.

“I consider the ultimatum of a citizen of the Republic of Belarus to be: what is the ultimatum and who can raise it?”

Belarusian opposition leader S. Cichanouskaya issued a “people’s ultimatum” to the regime of authoritarian President Aliaksandr Lukashenko on Tuesday, threatening a nationwide strike if the head of state does not resign, ceases violence against protesters and does not release the protesters. political prisoners.

Cichanouskaya said the Belarusian authorities had until October 25 to comply with these requirements. Otherwise, he has promised a national strike and large-scale demonstrations in the country.

For more than two months there have been unprecedented protests in Belarus over the August 9 presidential election, which has been declared won by Lukashenko, who has ruled the country since 1994. The opposition and western countries consider these elections to be rigged .

Political novice S. Cichanouskaya is considered an election winner. The 38-year-old figure decided to run for president when her husband, Siarhei Cichanouski, who also intended to challenge Lukashenko, was jailed.

In recent weeks, Belarusian militias have arrested thousands of protesters. As a result of eyewitness reports on violence by militias and torture of detainees, the international community condemned Lukashenko’s regime, which had been sanctioned by the West.

Several people were killed in the suppression of the protests in Belarus.