Minska, September 23rd
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Clashes with protesters have broken out in Minsk after Alexander Lukashenko’s unexpected inauguration ceremony. A total of 140 people have been detained in the Belarusian capital and other cities, reports the US media Radio Free Europe.
Lukashenko’s swearing-in ceremony took place on Wednesday, September 23, without prior announcement and live broadcast on state television. Wednesday afternoon at World War II Memorial City of Heroes several thousand people gathered. They have been attacked with sticks and a cannon by units of the Belarusian Interior Ministry, and many gathered have fled. On the night of Thursday, September 24, protest groups and drivers blocked traffic on several streets of the capital.
Belarus Human Rights Organization Spring has published a list of more than 140 people detained since the ceremony in Minsk, Brest and elsewhere in Belarus.
“Just retired”
Svetlana Tikhanovska, the presidential candidate in exile in Lithuania, has published a video address, stating that she is the only leader chosen by the people of Belarus.
“In fact, Lukashenko just retired today,” Tikhanovsky said in a speech. “This means that his orders to the power structures are no longer legitimate, but mean that they do not have to be carried out.”
Tihanovska’s address in Russian
After Lukashenko’s swearing-in ceremony, he was denied recognition as president of Belarus by the Baltic states, several Visegrad countries, the EU, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said, and the United States. Radio Free Europe.
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