Massive clashes broke out overnight in Belarus as hundreds of militants challenged governmental political election results that showed long-serving leader Alexander Lukashenko winning with an frustrating bulk of ballots.
Police separated groups of protesters with stun explosives and rubber bullets in Minsk and also other cities Sunday evening. One protester was eliminated as well as dozens wounded in the disorder, a prominent legal rights group stated Monday.
Lukashenko won a 6th term with 80.23% of the ballot, the nation’s main electoral commission stated Monday complying with the clashes. Central electoral commission chief Lidia Yermoshina said in telecasted comments that the strongman’s main challenger Svetlana Tikhanovskaya won 9.9%, pointing out an initial count.
Russia has carefully followed its western neighbor’s strained election, with President Vladimir Putin stressing Moscow’s “rate of interest in keeping a steady residential political situation in Belarus.”
Here’s an introduction of exactly how Russian state-run media and also officials have actually responded to Sunday’s occasions:
— Komsomolskaya Pravda, pro-Kremlin paper:
” The lines up outside ballot terminals gone for kilometers. These weren’t people desperate to choose the authorities. Marking time right here were people expecting modification in Belarus, for an end to weak wages and for whatever that’s brand-new but unknown.”
” But, condescendingly, they were thrown a bone of 6% of tallies cast for Tikhanovskaya, according to preliminary exit polls. Individuals have been dishonored … The head of state of Belarus, guarding his ‘80%’ with bayonets, will certainly encounter difficulties. He has to discover a method to describe what occurred on Aug. 9.”
— NTV, pro-Kremlin broadcaster:
” Protests began in lots of cities after the surveys closed. Opposition participants stated they disagree with the departure survey results. The rally in central Minsk finished in mass clashes. Police tried to quit the troubles peacefully by enhancing devices, calling and also obstructing central areas on everybody to disperse.”
” In the end, they made use of water cannons, stun explosives as well as pepper spray to disperse the group. There were injuries and also detentions.”
— Rossia 24, state-run news network:
” Unauthorized activities started in the facility of the Belarusian capital. There was rather a large gathering last night near 10 p.m. … The indoor ministry spokeswoman said in the morning that police officers were required to utilize special means versus rioters.”
” Special devices and also stun grenades were used. There were apprehensions, stepped-up safety measures in the city, the situation is under control … It’s early morning now and also the streets are almost empty.”
— RT, Kremlin-funded network:
” Tikhanovskaya rejected to recognize her loss, stating arise from 3 polling stations where ‘there were no falsifications’ showed that she was really winning. This view was plainly shared by many in the funding as mad protesters gathered in the center of Minsk as well as in other cities throughout the country.”
— Channel One, Russia’s biggest broadcaster, made no mention of the over night clashes in an early Monday section revealing the Belarus ballot results.
— Vladimir Zhirinovsky, lawmaker and also far-right event leader:
” I reveal solidarity with all those who went through repression in Belarus … They ought to be launched.”
” The citizens have actually already withdrawn their confidence in Lukashenko. The destiny of previous Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych awaits Alexander Grigoryevich.”
— Oleg Melnichenko, Russian legislator as well as political election observer:
” The demos were clearly provocative and also do not say anything regarding the unreliability of the ballot.”
” There were no issues. The republic’s authorities functioned extremely rapidly as well as faithfully. The Maidan topple effort has failed.”