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Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Friday called on his security leaders to crack down on protesters and “take nothing captive,” issuing the most threatening warning to date since protests began in the disputed August elections. for the head of state.
The demonstrations in Belarus have been carried out since the August 9 elections, in which victory was officially won by the country’s 66-year-old authoritarian leader. The opposition and the West allege that the election results were rigged.
Encouraged by Russia’s support, Lukashenko refuses to resign, despite continued protests from Belarusians demanding his resignation and new elections.
In a meeting with the new security leaders after the reform on the eve, Lukashenko said it was time to deal strictly with the protesters.
“It just came to our knowledge then.” If someone touches an official – I have already spoken with the generals – he must be small, at least without hands, “said the authoritarian leader.
“Like that. We have nowhere to retreat and we have no intention of retiring,” he said.
“It just came to our notice then. I immediately stated: there are red lines. And, God forbid, anyone will cross them. They will. [demonstrantai] They have crossed them in many directions … That is why those who today go to the railways, those who hang fascist flags on power lines, in a word, those who today try to destroy, destabilize the state infrastructure, should know: starting Today, especially in the citizens’ apartments, where they are hidden, we will not take anything captive, “Lukashenko warned.
Thousands of people take to the streets every weekend to protest for three months without protests. Another rally is scheduled for Sunday.
After the first crackdowns on protesters by protesters, during which thousands of people were detained, detainees were reported to have been tortured in detention centers, and the Belarusian authorities threatened to use combat ammunition against protesters. this month.
Lukashenko has increased the pressure on his critics after his rival in the presidential elections, Sviatlana Cichanouskaya, gave an ultimatum to his resignation, an end to violence against protesters and the release of political prisoners before August 25.
“In your dreams!”
Mr. Lukashenko ignored the ultimatum sent to him and began to reorganize the security structures, declaring that he would resign “in your dreams.”
“The president has never run anywhere and has no plans to flee,” he said.
On Thursday, Lukashenko appointed a new interior minister and restricted entry through the border crossings of Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Ukraine, citing a coronavirus pandemic.
On Friday, the authoritarian president also appointed a new head of the Minsk militia.
Kubrakov, 45, replaced Yuriy Karajev as minister by leading the brutal actions of the power structures against the protesters. Several people died and thousands were arrested during the crackdown on protests.
Karajev and two security officials have been appointed presidential advisers in parts of the country that Lukashenko has called “extremely dangerous”.
They are shipped to the capital Minsk, west of Grodno and southwest of Brest. Those cities have seen the biggest protests in recent weeks.
Mr. Lukashenko also suggested forming volunteer teams from the former army to maintain order and provide them with weapons.
“They can help us a lot,” he said.
Lukashenko’s former election rival Cichanouskaya, a newcomer to the election campaign after her husband, a popular blogger, failed to register his candidacy and was arrested, said the Lukashenko regime showed “.
“He is making these inconsistent decisions because he is in a state of panic,” wrote Cichanouskaya, who is currently in Lithuania, on his Telegram channel.
Tens of thousands of Belarusians take to the streets every Sunday to protest against the Lukashenko government.
The protesters are demanding the resignation of Lukashenko, the release of political prisoners and new elections.
The government detained nearly 600 people after the opposition went on strike on Monday.
Students who organized seating protests at their universities also joined the strike. Cichanouskaya said on Friday that more than 300 students were at risk of being expelled from higher education.
Western countries have imposed sanctions on Lukashenko’s comrades for electoral fraud and violence against protesters.
EU ambassadors can agree to sanctions against Lukashenko
The EU Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) may agree next week on new sanctions against Belarusian officials, including authoritarian President Aliaksandr Lukashenko.
“EU ambassadors will give the green light to Lukashenko and 14 other Belarusians on Wednesday to freeze assets and ban visas,” Rikardas Jozwiakv, a journalist for Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE / RL) wrote on social media. ).
He added that Brussels should adopt these measures on November 6.
The agenda for Wednesday’s Permanent Representatives Committee meeting has not yet been announced.
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