The authoritarian president of Belarus made a dramatic show of defiance Sunday against the massive protests demanding his resignation, grabbing an assault rifle and declaring: ‘They’ve run away like rats!’
President Lukashenko wore a bulletproof vest as he strode off a helicopter that landed at his residence while demonstrators massed nearby.
It comes as tens of thousands of Belarusians joined an anti-government demonstration in central Minsk Sunday to protest President Alexander Lukashenko’s claim to a sixth term in disputed elections.
Lukashenko dispatched his notorious riot police to disperse spontaneous rallies that erupted after he claimed a sixth presidential term in an election two weeks ago that critics say was rigged.
The authoritarian president of Belarus made a dramatic show of defiance Sunday against the massive protests demanding his resignation, toting a rifle and wearing a bulletproof vest
Video from the state news agency Belta showed a government helicopter landing on the grounds and Mr Lukashenko getting off holding what appeared to be a Kalashnikov-type automatic rifle
People attend a protest march against the results of the presidential elections, in Minsk, Belarus, on August 23
Video from the state news agency Belta showed a government helicopter landing on the grounds and Mr Lukashenko getting off holding what appeared to be a Kalashnikov-type automatic rifle.
No ammunition clip was visible in the weapon, suggesting that Mr Lukashenko, who cultivates an aura of machismo, aimed only to make a show of aggression.
The video footage published by state media showed Mr Lukashenko wielding the rifle as he declares: ‘They’ve run away like rats.
‘They’ve run away. They found out that the response will be tough.’
Today, more than 100,000 demonstrators draped in the red-and-white flags of the opposition flooded Independence Square and marched through the capital chanting ‘we will not forget, we will not forgive’ as passing cars honked in support.
‘We have just two demands: fair elections and stop the violence,’ 32-year-old Igor said.
Officials issued a warning to Belarusians against participating in ‘illegal demonstrations’ and local news outlets published videos on social media showing water cannon and riot police with shields moving towards Independence Square.
President Lukashenko clutches a Kalashnikov-type rifle as he greets riot police in the capital Minsk, after protests
Lukashenko has claimed he saw off 250,000 protesters demanding his resignation yesterday. He arrived via helicopter
Tens of thousands packed into Independence Square in Minsk, Belarus, on Sunday to demand the resignation of President Alexander Lukashenko, who claimed 80 percent of the vote in a general election two weeks ago dubbed ‘neither free not fair’ by the European Union
Demonstrators carry a huge historical flag of Belarus as thousands gather for a protest at the Independence square in Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020. Demonstrators are taking to the streets of the Belarusian capital and other cities, keeping up their push for the resignation of the nation’s authoritarian leader. President Alexander Lukashenko has extended his 26-year rule in a vote the opposition saw as rigged
More than 100,000 marched through the Belarusian capital on Sunday demanding the resignation of president Alexander Lukashenko
People take part in an opposition rally in Independence Square. The political crisis continues in Belarus, which arose in connection with the presidential election held on August 9, the results of which are not recognised by the opposition.
Thousands pack into Independence Avenue on Sunday to demand freedom. Officials issued a warning to Belarusians against participating in ‘illegal demonstrations’ and local news outlets published videos on social media showing water cannon and riot police with shields moving towards Independence Square.
People attend an opposition demonstration to protest against presidential election results at the Independence Square in Minsk, Belarus
Women take a selfie photo during a protest in Minsk, Belarus, Sunday. Demonstrators are taking to the streets of the Belarusian capital and other cities, keeping up their push for the resignation of the nation’s authoritarian leader. President Alexander Lukashenko has extended his 26-year rule in a vote the opposition saw as rigged
The defence ministry said it would intervene to protect ‘sacred’ World War II memorials and several metro stations in Minsk were closed.
Opposition-leaning media and Telegram channels reported that more than 100,000 protesters had convened for the second Sunday in a row and an AFP journalist said smaller demonstrations erupted in provincial cities.
‘Lukashenko wants everyone to leave and live like it was. But it won’t be like it used to be,’ said Nikita, a 28-year-old protester.
Solidarity rallies were also due in neighbouring Lithuania, where demonstrators planned to form a human chain from Vilnius to the Belarus border, three decades after residents of the Baltic states joined hands and linked their capital cities in a mass protest against Soviet rule.
The EU has rejected the results of the election and has vowed to sanction Belarusians responsible for ballot fraud and a police crackdown that saw nearly 7,000 people arrested and sparked gruesome allegations of torture and abuse in police custody.
People carry a white-red-white flad during an opposition rally in Independence Avenue as the political crisis continues
People take part in an opposition rally in Independence Avenue
Opposition supporters march to protest against disputed presidential elections results in Minsk
Demonstrators carry a huge historical flag of Belarus as thousands gather for a protest at the Independence square in Minsk
People take part in an opposition rally in Independence Avenue. The political crisis continues in Belarus, which arose in connection with the presidential election held on August 9, the results of which are not recognized by the opposition
People take part in an opposition rally in Independence Square
Top EU diplomat Josep Borell warned that Belarus should not be allowed to become a ‘second Ukraine’ and said it was necessary to deal with the 65-year-old Lukashenko, Europe’s longest serving leader.
The man branded ‘Europe’s last dictator’ has brushed aside the calls to go, dismissed the possibility of holding a new vote and instructed his security services to quell unrest and secure the borders.
His judiciary opened a criminal investigation into the opposition’s Coordination Council that is seeking new elections and the peaceful transition of power, after he said opponents wanted to ‘seize power’.
The former collective farm boss ordered the military into full combat readiness during an army inspection on Saturday near the border with the EU and warned about NATO troop ‘stirrings’ in neighbouring countries.
‘The fatherland is now in danger. We cannot joke,’ Lukashenko said.
Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nauseda said Lukashenko was trying to ‘divert attention’ from unrest at home, while NATO dismissed the claims as baseless.
People take part in an opposition rally in Independence Square. The political crisis continues in Belarus, which arose in connection with the presidential election held on August 9, the results of which are not recognized by the opposition.
Opposition supporters rally to protest against disputed presidential elections results in Minsk on August 23, 2020
Workers of Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant (MZKT) take part in a rally in Independence Avenue. The political crisis continues in Belarus, which arose in connection with the presidential election held on August 9, the results of which are not recognized by the opposition.
eople take part in an opposition rally in Independence Square. The political crisis continues in Belarus, which arose in connection with the presidential election held on August 9, the results of which are not recognized by the opposition.
People shout slogans during a protest in Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020. Demonstrators are taking to the streets of the Belarusian capital and other cities, keeping up their push for the resignation of the nation’s authoritarian leader. President Alexander Lukashenko has extended his 26-year rule in a vote the opposition saw as rigged.
Man waves with a historical flag of Belarus as police trucks are parked in the streets during a protest in Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020
People hold a large historical white-red-white flag of Belarus during an opposition demonstration to protest against presidential election results at the Independence Square in Minsk
Women hold posters denouncing President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko during a protest in Minsk, Belarus, Sunday
The unlikely leader of Belarus’s opposition, 37-year-old Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, fled to Vilnius fearing reprisals for mounting the greatest challenge to Lukashenko and claiming election victory.
In an interview with AFP ahead of the demonstrations, she urged protesters to continue to exert pressure on the authorities, saying it was ‘important to continue to be united in the struggle for the rights’.
The authorities have to understand ‘we are not a protest movement… we are a majority and we will not step away. We are not afraid of them any more.’
Lukashenko’s opponents have organised strikes and the largest protests in the ex-Soviet country’s recent history over his re-election, with more than 100,000 people turning out in Minsk alone last weekend.
Yet fewer workers at state-run factories – usually a bastion of support for Lukashenko – have continued to strike, with activists citing pressure from the authorities.
A couple kisses during a protest in Minsk, Belarus, on Sunday
MINSK, BELARUS – AUGUST 23, 2020: People take part in an opposition rally in Independence Avenue.
People attend an opposition demonstration to protest against presidential election results at the Independence Square in Minsk, Belarus August 23, 2020
Today, more than 100,000 demonstrators draped in the red-and-white flags of the opposition flooded Independence Square and marched through the capital chanting ‘we will not forget, we will not forgive’ as passing cars honked in support.
People attend an opposition demonstration to protest against presidential election results at the Independence Square in Minsk, Belarus August 23, 2020
Demonstrators in Minsk on Sunday
Demonstrators in Minsk on Sunday face off with armoured law enforcement officers and their green trucks
Demonstrators hold hands in the Independence Square, Minsk, Belarus on Sunday
The president has threatened from Monday to shut down production lines where workers have put down their tools.
Staff at state-run media outlets have also staged walkouts and Lukashenko admitted this week that journalists from Russia had been flown in to replace them.
His powerful ally, Russia, has warned European leaders against interfering in Belarus and the Kremlin has said it would intervene in the post-election unrest if necessary.
US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun will visit Lithuania as part of a trip next week that will also include a stop in Russia for talks on the election fallout.
He is planning to meet with Tikhanovskaya, her representatives told AFP.
Lukashenko’s army inspection came ahead of large-scale military exercises planned on the border with the European Union between August 28 and 31.
A woman waves a historical white-red-white flag of Belarus during an opposition demonstration to protest against presidential election results at the Independence Square in Minsk
People take part in an opposition rally in Independence Avenue
People take part in an opposition rally in Independence Avenue
A demonstrator carries an inflatable alien figure reading ‘Sanya (Alexander Lukashenko) flies with us’ during a march of opposition supporters against disputed presidential elections results in Minsk