Sunday, August 16, 2020

Indefinite national strike announced in Belarus

August 16, 2020 (112UA.com) From tomorrow, August 17, a nationwide strike has been declared in Belarus. Such a message was published at once by several opposition Telegram channels, among which is the popular channel Nexta. "From tomorrow, a nationwide strike is announced until the demands of the people are met," the message says. Today at the Freedom March, which takes place in many cities of Belarus, opponents of Alexander Lukashenko's regime put forward three main demands: 

  • the resignation of the president
  • release of all previously detained protesters
  • punishment of all those guilty of beatings and torture.

Today the largest rally in the history of an independent country is being held in Belarus. According to media reports, more than 200 000 people have already gathered in the central square of Minsk. Alexander Lukashenko again held a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin amid protests in the country. This was reported on the website of the President of Belarus. It is reported that the presidents spoke about the situation in the country and even agreed on a "joint response": "The leaders of the countries reaffirmed the agreement that in case of an aggravation of the situation in terms of external threats, the parties will react jointly in accordance with the provisions stipulated by the Collective Security Treaty," Lukashenko's press service reported. 
Minsk today

The website of the Administration of Russian President Vladimir Putin also confirms today's telephone conversation. The Kremlin press service indicates that after the presidential elections "outside pressure" is being exerted on the republic.

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