As security forces again crack down hard on demonstrators in recent weeks, trying to prevent the gathering of more people, Belarusians are opting for a decentralized form of protest.
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On Sunday in Minsk, the protest against the regime took place in the form of 40 “micro-marches”, Belarusian analyst Franak Viačorka informed on Twitter.
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More than 40 micro-marches did take place in Minsk today. All these people know that in 5 min they can be detained, beaten and jailed. Everyone who joins the protest already prevailed over fear. Belarus society matured in this uprising and developed resistance to authoritarianism pic.twitter.com/9T4W3LkOTu
– Franc Viačorka (@franakviacorka) December 6, 2020
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“In the last three months, Lukashenko’s security forces have detained more than 32,000 people. Among them were teenagers, seniors, women. Many of them were beaten and tortured, “added Viačorka.
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Three of my good friends got detained today. Their families and loved ones are looking for them at the police stations and prisons. Unfortunately, the level of terror remains high. It is the only tool in the hands of Lukashenka.But we should remain peaceful. This is the only way pic.twitter.com/iVZ4LH5KVE
– Franc Viačorka (@franakviacorka) December 6, 2020
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According to the AP agency, some protesters came on Sunday in costumes of Santa Claus and with masks representing Lukashenko. “Give the Belarusians a gift: leave,” said one of the banners.
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The regime has recently withdrawn accreditation from both foreign and independent domestic journalists, so footage of protests has become more amateurish in recent weeks. One of them on Twitter shows how about a dozen members of the security forces chase two people right between the residential houses.
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“In this video, members of the OMON intervention units are chasing a woman with a child. They managed to hide in their house and close the door behind them, “described Viačorka.
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In this video, OMON is chasing a woman with a kid. They managed to hide at their house and close the door
According to byPOL (the organization of defectors from law enforcement),more than 100 people resigned from OMON since August. It’s not many. Other remain loyal to the regime pic.twitter.com/7YVtW03Ky2
– Franc Viačorka (@franakviacorka) December 6, 2020
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On Sunday, armored vehicles and military trucks were moving in the center of Minsk, as well as water cannons. In an effort to make it more difficult for protesters to gather, the regime in Minsk closed several metro stations and restricted internet access.
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Belarusian pensioners protest in Minsk
Photo: Uncredited, ČTK / AP
Police said they detained over 300 people in Minsk. The human rights NGO Vyasna has released the names of 189 people detained in Minsk and other Belarusian cities. According to the Belarusian Union of Journalists, at least four journalists have been detained.
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Impressive bravery, self-organization, and determination of Belarusians. Despite the preventive terror campaign, people continue gathering for protest. This video is made in one of the Minsk districts. Dozens of rallies like this are taking place in Minsk today. pic.twitter.com/HgxBEts8R6
– Franc Viačorka (@franakviacorka) December 6, 2020
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Large-scale protests in Belarus erupted on Sunday, August 9, in response to falsified election results. The brutal interventions of the security forces have claimed many lives. For example, activist Raman Bandarenka died after being brutally beaten by regime members.
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After the election, the authorities declared Lukashenko, the longtime ruler, the winner. The European Union (EU), including the Czech Republic, does not recognize the results. In addition, the EU has imposed sanctions on Lukashenko and his colleagues responsible for falsifying elections and human rights abuses in suppressing protests.
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Belarusians have been demonstrating for four months against the regime of authoritarian Alexander Lukashenko
Foto: AP Photo, ČTK / AP
Opposition candidate Sviatlana Cichanouska, who, according to the opposition, won the election significantly, forced the regime to flee to Lithuania. He later tried something similar with another opposition leader, Maryja Kalesnikova, one of the three main figures in the opposition presidential campaign.
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Kalesnikova was eventually abducted by unknown masked gunmen, apparently members of the Belarusian security authorities, and tried to force her out of the country to Ukraine.
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However, they did not manage to get to Kalesnikova in Ukraine, because she tore her passport in front of the border and climbed out the window of the car that was to take her across the border. She was then detained by police, and has been imprisoned by the regime ever since.
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