While the population of Belarus is twice as small as that of the Moscow metropolitan area, there are over 350 political and religious prisoners in Russia and the number in Belarus … Why protesters have not been able to push President Alexander Lukashenko from power. According to the official data of the Central Election Commission, Alexander Lukashenko won the election in a landslide victory, having gained 80 percent of the vote, while his rival from the opposition … Why the protests? "I think there will be increased pressure on the non-state media as protests increase and an end to Lukashenko's rule becomes closer," Bublikava said. A wide and rapid pre-election politicisation of Belarusians, followed by the largest political protests in the history of independent Belarus both in Minsk and the regions, came as a surprise for many experts and politicians. But he is, and his hyper-nationalist foreign policy strategy is to blame. Even to pay police fines, Belarusian protesters collect money themselves,” analyst Alexander Klaskouski said. This footage captures the blood-chilling ruthlessness of the Belarusian police’s actions last night, and shows why so many in Belarus are desperate for change.” One protester is confirmed to have died last night in Minsk and dozens more have been seriously injured. The public discontent did not come out of the blue, though: there are a number of long term reasons and short-term triggers that led to a revolution attempt. Speaking about the elections in Belarus, United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, questioned the legitimacy of the election, stating that there was evidence of: "severe restrictions on ballot access for candidates, prohibition of local independent observers at polling stations, intimidation tactics employed against opposition candidates, and the detentions of peaceful protesters … Since 2000, Putin has become synonymous with “being Russian.” When thinking about modern Russia, there is a good chance the first … Over the weekend, Belarusian citizens took to the polls as Alexander Lukashenko, who has served as President of Belarus since the office was established in 1994, went head-to-head with his principal rival … The barricades of protest. Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Belarus to contest the claimed election victory of the president, Alexander Lukashenko, and met a violent police response. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, 37, entered in place of her jailed husband and went on to lead large opposition rallies. There is widespread suspicion that the election was not fair, with two opposition candidates denied places on the ballot before one of them was jailed and the other fled to Russia, Sky News reports. The police are cracking down violently and even torturing demonstrators, but the protests still rage on. Why Belarus Is Not Ukraine Yes, there are surprisingly big protests—like those that rocked Kyiv six years ago—being met with brutal crackdowns. Since the results of the presidential election in Belarus were announced on Sunday, there have been two nights of protests and unrest in the country's capital Minsk. But Belarus is a whole different story. AP, FILE MOSCOW -- It was in late summer when protesters filled Belarus' streets . Why are there protests? Belarus protests: Police arrest more than 390 women in crackdown on peaceful demonstration. Igor Leshchenya, the Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia who sided with the protesters and the first official to do so, said that he does not think there is a threat of Russian military intervention, stating that it was in the … President Alexander Lukashenko has been re-elected for a sixth consecutive ter… Shocking accounts of police violence are accompanied by analysis of protest forms and considerations of possible scenarios for exiting the crisis. Subscribe to What Next on Apple Podcasts for the full episode.. For the past couple weeks, the European country of Belarus has been gripped by political protests… PROTESTS have erupted in several cities in Belarus after a presidential vote that the opposition says was rigged. Here’s why the Belarus protests and the re-election of ‘Europe’s last dictator’ matter Published: Aug. 11, 2020 at 12:53 p.m. Unprecedented protests on the street, a rigged election and an authoritarian leader who refuses to budge. Unlike Ukraine’s largely privatized economy, Belarus’ economy remains 80% state-run, and little has evolved since the Soviet era. President Alexander Lukashenko won a disputed 6th term in office. More than 100,000 have packed into central Minsk, the capital, for four consecutive Sundays since the disputed 9 … ET Retirees protest Belarus leader on 100th day since vote. Anna Bysyedina: “What we see are people coming out on the streets because their votes are not being counted, … In 2019 alone, there were nearly 1,500 street protests in Russia. Belarus has been in news because of growing protests in the country incited by Presidents Lukashenko’s disputed election victory. Why people are protesting in Belarus. There are grounds to hope that it will be avoided. There is a belief among people that Lukashenko tampered with the votes during the elections to hold on to power. The small, eastern European nation of Belarus is in turmoil. Thousands protest in Belarus after killing of … This week’s protests in Belarus ‘Stop the violence’ Snapshots from yesterday’s peaceful demonstrations in Belarus First moments of freedom Protesters in custody in Minsk were released en masse last night ‘My conscience is clear’ Belarusian police officers start publicly resigning in protest against violent crackdown on opposition Scenes from Sunday night’s post … Thousands of people have gathered outside the state television station in Belarus demanding full coverage of protests against the disputed presidential election. The sum of all this provides an answer to the question of which people are joining the protests, and why. ZOiS/Oxford University, Author provided (No reuse) But the attitudes towards the protests are diverse. 500 reported arrested in Belarus protests . That makes it even more … It was reported that 76 people disappeared during the protests in Belarus as of 17 August, because they are not on the lists of arrested and convicted. Ukraine represents a worst-case scenario for Belarus. Looking at the nationalist, pro-democracy protests currently gripping Belarus, one probably wouldn’t expect Russian President Vladimir Putin to be behind them. Most of the time, the Kremlin has chosen to ignore the protesters and wait until their enthusiasm evaporated. Europe. Completing probably the most comprehensive source available on the Belarusian protests are articles on specific issues such as the Belarusian IT sector and the atomic power plant Astranec, surveys of contemporary … “There are no oligarchs in Belarus who would give money for hot meals, medical treatment and tents. Oleg Chupryna argues that with Lukashenko increasingly reliant on Vladimir Putin’s support, there is a risk Belarus could be pulled further under the influence of Russia.. Belarus has witnessed months of protests against President … For almost four months, protesters have taken to the streets of Belarus demanding the resignation of President Alexander Lukashenko. The scale of the protests is unprecedented for Belarus. Lukashenko has been unable to subdue the protests, and on Sunday tens of thousands of people turned out in Minsk for what organizers claimed was Belarus' largest-ever demonstration. The protests have been the biggest political movement in Belarus’ modern history, and Lukashenko’s government is doing its best to suppress the marches. "I … US politics. Massive riots and protest actions continue in Belarus as many express protests against the results of voting in the presidential election, which took place on August 9. Protests: police arrest more than 390 women in crackdown on peaceful demonstration Belarus:. Late summer when protesters filled Belarus ' streets state television station in demanding... 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