• About
  • Contact
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
No Result
View All Result
Londoner News
  • Home
  • London
  • Britain
  • Europe
  • America
  • International
  • Submit Article
  • Other
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Science
  • Home
  • London
  • Britain
  • Europe
  • America
  • International
  • Submit Article
  • Other
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Science
No Result
View All Result
Londoner News
No Result
View All Result
Home Women

Belarus unrest: Protesters mark jailed activist Sergei Tikhanovsky’s birthday

by The Editor
August 18, 2020
in Women
0
Belarus unrest: Protesters mark jailed activist Sergei Tikhanovsky’s birthday
0
SHARES
2
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Protesters in Belarus have gathered outside a prison to mark the birthday of the jailed husband of the country's main opposition figure as anger mounts over a disputed election.

Sergei Tikhanovsky, who has just turned 42, was imprisoned alongside other rivals of President Alexander Lukashenko ahead of the 9 August poll.

His wife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya ran in his place but later fled to Lithuania.

She reportedly secured about 10% of the vote, and Mr Lukashenko more than 80%.

There were no independent observers. The opposition has held daily since protests over the past 10 days, alleging massive vote-rigging.

Hundreds of protesters have been wounded and two have died in clashes with police. Thousands have been arrested, and many have spoken of torture at the hands of security forces.

  • What's happening in Belarus?
  • 'The people will not forgive this'

Mr Lukashenko, who has led Belarus since 1994, insists he has won fairly and has ruled out holding another election.

What happened on Tuesday?

Hundreds of opposition supporters gathered outside the jail in the capital, Minsk, where Mr Tikhanovsky is being detained on charges of inciting violence.

Many held red-and-white balloons – the colours of the opposition – and sang "happy birthday".

Ms Tikhanovskaya, 37, said her husband was spending his birthday in prison because of "a crime he did not commit".

"All of this blatant lawlessness and injustice shows how this rotting system works, in which one person controls everything, one person who has kept the country in fear for 26 years, one person who robbed Belarusians of their choice," she said in a video message.

Ms Tikhanovskaya says that where ballots were properly counted, her share of the vote ranged from 60% to 70%.

In another video message released on Monday, she said she was ready to become a "national leader" to restore peace and prepare for new elections.

How strong is the pressure on Lukashenko?

On Sunday, more than 100,000 people gathered in Minsk for the largest protest held in Belarus since it declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1990.

Strike action is also keeping up the pressure on the president. State TV and key factories have been affected and on Tuesday postal workers reportedly joined the strikes.

A number of officials, as well as current and former police officers, have resigned.

  • In pictures: Striking images from Belarus protests
  • 'Breathing freedom' – Belarusians hope for change

On a visit to a tractor plant on Monday, Mr Lukashenko defended the official election tally, telling workers: "We held the election. Until you kill me, there will be no other election."

But as he spoke, many in the audience booed him and chanted "leave".

Media playback is unsupported on your device

The 65-year-old strongman – who has called the opposition "rats" – remains defiant.

He has maintained close relations with neighbouring Russia, on which Belarus heavily relies for energy supplies.

  • 'If you croak we don't care': brutality in Belarus
  • Read More – Source [contf] [contfnew]
    bbc

    [contfnewc] [contfnewc]

The Editor

Next Post

Wuhan coronavirus: From silent streets to packed pools

Recommended

Dancing on Ice 2019: Loose Womens Saira Khan admits show is making her horny: Im burning it all off!

Dancing on Ice 2019: Loose Womens Saira Khan admits show is making her horny: Im burning it all off!

6 years ago
Do we need a tech boom for the elderly?

Do we need a tech boom for the elderly?

7 years ago

Popular News

    Connect with us

    About Us

    We bring you the best Premium WordPress Themes that perfect for news, magazine, personal blog, etc. Check our landing page for details.

    Category

    • America
    • Britain
    • Entertainment
    • Europe
    • Health
    • International
    • latest news
    • London
    • Markets
    • Science
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Uncategorized
    • Women

    Site Links

    • Log in
    • Entries feed
    • Comments feed
    • WordPress.org
    • About
    • Contact

    © 2020 londonernews

    No Result
    View All Result
    • Home
    • Science
    • Travel
    • Tech
    • Health

    © 2020 londonernews