Protesters are rallying in Belarus despite ongoing clashes with riot police who have deployed teargas and flash grenades, as they express discontent with incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko’s projected re-election.
Lukashenko is forecast to receive well over 70 percent of the vote, according to early official results and exit polls, while the main opposition candidate, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, is expected to get between 6.8 and 10 percent. She refused to acknowledge her defeat saying the results from three polling stations where “there were no falsifications” showed that she was actually winning.
This sentiment was clearly shared by many in the capital as angry protesters gathered in the center of Minsk and in other cities throughout the country.
Hundreds have flocked to the downtown of #Minsk#Belarushttps://t.co/SuVLWnkcIMpic.twitter.com/6Hfj0oJbkY
The rallies started with people gathering outside polling stations, chanting “Shame on you” to members of electoral commissions as they were escorted out by the police after finishing the ballot count. Other videos showed crowds shouting “Go away” and “You are not Belarus,” addressing President Lukashenko. Before long, protesters were clashing with riot police.
Election in #Belarus: Large anti-government rallies turn into clashes with police in #Minskhttps://t.co/SuVLWnkcIMpic.twitter.com/qIVzd9cXpP
By midnight, hundreds had gathered in one of the main squares of Minsk. The riot police used flashbang grenades, tear gas, water cannons and shot rubber bullets against the demonstrators who pelted bottles and other projectiles in return.
В Минске силовики уже бегают с оружием. Поступают сведения об использовании силовиками резиновых пуль. pic.twitter.com/7xbhw4Oew0
Several disturbing videos from the capital showed a police truck rolling trough the crowd, with one protester jumping on its hood before falling near – or under – the wheels.
Multiple arrests were made. Police said that at least one of its officers was hurt in the scuffles, with videos from the scene showing bloodied demonstrators.
Pictures on social media show medics helping people with bloody heads and apparent injuries to other parts of the bodies. Local reporters in Minsk said ambulances were taking both protesters and police officers away.
Protesters can be heard shouting to police officers to join them in several videos appearing on social media.
Protests also took place in other cities across the country, including Gomel, Mogilev, and Vitebsk. In some places there was much smaller police presence and protesters even managed to turn them running.
Погнали ОМОН в Барановичах #минск#барановичиpic.twitter.com/9bT1qj8rqj
Пару десятков ОМОНовцев в Нополоцке просто боится толпы. Ничего не могут сделать, все силы в Минске. pic.twitter.com/44MB7nW3Pq
Internet connections were also reportedly cut off in Minsk and other cities.
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