Clashes in Belarus: 3,000 arrests and dozens of protesters injured

Three thousand anti-government protesters, including a thousand in Minsk, were arrested and dozens injured in the night from Sunday to Monday following a controversial presidential election. SERGEI GAPON / AFP

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In Belarus, some 3,000 anti-government protesters were arrested and dozens injured overnight Sunday through Monday following a controversial presidential election. This is what the Ministry of the Interior said, denying any death.

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"  In total, across the country about 3,000 people were arrested [...]  during clashes, more than 50 citizens and 39 police officers were injured, some are hospitalized,  " the ministry said on Monday. Interior in a press release, reporting " unauthorized  " nocturnal demonstrations  in 33 cities and towns across the country. 

The opponent and candidate  Svetlana Tikhanovskaïa  denounced the violent repression on the night from Sunday to Monday of demonstrations against the re-election of Alexander Lukashenko . The police had deployed en masse their anti-riot forces and equipment, including the use of stun grenades.

“  We have witnessed the fact that power seeks to maintain itself by force. Despite our appeals to the authorities not to attack its citizens, we were not heard, and yesterday the police resorted to disproportionate means  , ”she said, reporting immediately "  Contradictory information  " about deaths.

The Interior Ministry, however, denied any death, contradicting the human rights NGO Viasna, which indicated that a protester had been killed after being run over at night by a police vehicle on the road. avenue des Vainqueurs, in downtown Minsk.

( With AFP )

► To read: Belarus: clashes erupt in Minsk after the announcement of Lukashenko's re-election

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  • Belarus
  • Alexander Lukashenko

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