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Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: the way it occurred

First arrests

There have been large queues on the polling stations. Not everybody managed to vote. After closing at 20 o’clock, folks stayed at some polling stations and demanded to put up the ultimate protocols. The first arrests by riot policemen came about.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: the way it occurred

Spontaneous actions

Mass protests started at 21:00 native time. In Minsk, the principle buildings and squares have been cordoned off upfront by the safety forces and blocked off by navy tools. Central metro stations have been closed. Protests came about spontaneously and in numerous elements of the town.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: the way it occurred

Rally factors for protesters

The fundamental place of protest in Minsk was Pobediteley Avenue, with the “Minsk – Hero City” stele situated on it, in addition to the central road Nemiga intersecting the avenue. According to numerous estimates, as much as 5,000 residents of the capital gathered there. In different cities, folks protested within the central squares.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: the way it occurred

Thirst for change

Many protesters carried historic white-red-white flags. Slogans sounded: “Go away”, “Freedom”, “Police with the folks” and Tsoi’s tune “Changes”. Cars passing by have been honking protesters in assist. Flashlights on cellphones have became a sea of ​​lights.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: the way it occurred

Appeals for peace

Night protests came about not solely within the capital, but in addition in all regional facilities – Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk, Mogilev, Gomel, in addition to small cities, particularly, in Novopolotsk, Soligorsk, Baranovichi, Lida, Zhodino, Kobrin, Volkovysk, Slonim, Polotsk, Bobruisk, Molodechno. People appealed to the riot police with an attraction to decrease their shields and go over to their facet.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: the way it occurred

The starting of overclocking and using particular tools

After 10 pm, a “cleanup” operation started in Minsk. Rows of riot policemen with shields moved in the direction of one another, forcing the protesters from the streets and squares. Not with out clashes with riot police. During the dispersal of the protest rallies, the safety forces used stun grenades, firecrackers, rubber bullets, and water cannons towards the protesters. There have been additionally studies within the media about using tear fuel.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: the way it occurred

Road barricades and casualties

On Pobediteley Avenue, protesters erected barricades of rubbish containers to dam the street. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, greater than 50 residents and 39 safety officers have been injured in the course of the clashes per day. The human rights heart “Viasna” additionally reported one one who died as a result of collision of particular tools. The Ministry of Internal Affairs denied this data. One video on social media reveals a paddy wagon flattening a protester in Minsk.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: the way it occurred

Riot cost

By 1 am Belarusian time, the police in Minsk took the scenario below management. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus, as of August 10, a complete of about 3000 folks have been detained, about 1000 within the capital and greater than 2000 in different areas of the republic. They are accused of riots and violence towards the police.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: the way it occurred

The diploma of violence has risen

On the night time of August 11, the protests continued, changing into extra violent. Military tools appeared in Minsk, which had not beforehand been used to disperse demonstrations in Belarus. Photo and video from the scene present that the protesters are utilizing Molotov cocktails. And the safety forces throw flash-noise grenades at a transferring automotive, after which the driving force steps on the fuel and crashes into a gaggle of riot police.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: the way it occurred

The first victims

On August 10, an explosion occurred on Pritytsky Street in Minsk, because of which one of many protesters died. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus, an explosive machine detonated within the man’s arms, which he needed to throw on the law enforcement officials. At the identical time, the authors of the Belarus Brain Telegram channel imagine that the person may have died after the safety forces threw a flash and noise grenade at his ft.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: the way it occurred

Protests proceed

On the night time of August 12, residents of the nation got here out to protest in 25 cities. According to the Ministry of Health, 51 protesters and 14 representatives of the police and inner troops have been injured final night time. The investigating authorities have initiated 17 felony instances.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: the way it occurred

Daytime peaceable protests

At the Komarovsky market in Minsk on the afternoon of August 12, 250 ladies with roses of their arms lined up in a sequence – in solidarity with those that suffered from violence lately. Soon the police appeared and thru a loudspeaker demanded to disperse, warning about “the accountability established by regulation.” The ladies shouted “Shame!”, Laid flowers on the bottom and dispersed. The similar actions came about in different cities of the nation.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: the way it occurred

Aleksievich urged Lukashenka to resign

On the night of August 12, protests have been once more held in numerous cities of the nation, this time ending with out violent clashes with the safety forces. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, one other 700 folks have been detained per day. In Gomel, a 25-year-old boy died after being arrested. Several TV presenters wrote letters of resignation from state TV, and Nobel laureate Svetlana Aleksievich referred to as on Lukashenko to step down.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: the way it occurred

Detainees started to be launched

For the primary time, the night time of 13-14 August handed with out using violence towards the protesters. From the Center for Isolation of Offenses of the Main Internal Affairs Directorate of the Minsk City Executive Committee, identified in Minsk as “Akrestsin”, they started to launch these detained on the protest actions. Many of them talked about torture, overcrowded cells, and complained of starvation and thirst. Someone wanted medical consideration.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: the way it occurred

Tough response to protesters

The present presidential elections have been the sixth within the historical past of recent Belarus – probably the most intense and unprecedented by way of the severity of the crackdown on protests, as observers notice.

Author: Victoria Zaryanka