"We regard this unequivocally": Lukashenko called the creation of the opposition coordination council an attempt to seize power

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said that the creation of the so-called coordination council by the opposition is "an attempt to seize power."

“We regard this unequivocally: this is an attempt to seize power with all the ensuing consequences,” he said during a meeting with members of the republic’s Security Council. The Belarusian leader is quoted by BelTA.

Lukashenko warned the members of the headquarters that the authorities would "take adequate measures, but only in accordance with the Constitution and the law." He also commented on the composition of the coordinating council.

“There are former, offended, who once were in power, and openly untied Nazis. Look at this list, ”the Belarusian president said.

In addition, Lukashenko announced the opposition's desire to withdraw Belarus from the Union State and other associations in which Russia participates.

“For example, withdrawal from the Union State, the Eurasian Union, the Customs Union, ... other integration formations dominated by Russia,” the president noted. - I must say that Russia does not dominate in any of those structures. It is necessary to read the statutory documents. There, questions are taken by consensus, and each country has one vote. "

Among other things, Lukashenka said that the opposition "is lobbying for a creeping ban on the Russian language."

“The concept of criminal liability for insulting the Belarusian language is introduced. Listen, do we have such facts once that we insulted our native language? This has never happened, ”the Belarusian president said.

Opposition representatives, in turn, denied accusations of Lukashenka's attempt to seize power. Olga Kovalkova, a confidant of former presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, said that the council operates on the basis of the fundamental principles of the country's constitution.

"He does not set himself the goal of seizing state power by unconstitutional means, does not call for the organization and preparation of actions that violate public order," said Kovalkova.

In addition, Maria Kolesnikova, a supporter of Tikhanovskaya, said that the opposition coordination council of Belarus expects to maintain friendly mutually beneficial relations with other countries. In this regard, Kolesnikova mentioned Russia and Ukraine.

She stated that Lukashenka’s words about the opposition’s desire to spoil relations with Russia are “manipulation from the president”.

“I want to assure everyone that our official position is: we will maintain friendly, mutually beneficial relations, pragmatic, crystal-clear, transparent for everyone. It is beneficial for us to communicate with all our partner countries, both with the Russian Federation and with Ukraine and the countries of the European Union, ”said Kolesnikova.

Let us remind you that the presidential elections were held in Belarus on August 9. According to the Central Election Commission of the republic, the incumbent head of state Alexander Lukashenko received the support of 80.1% of voters. His closest opponent Svetlana Tikhanovskaya - 10.12%.

After the publication of the preliminary results of the elections, large-scale protests began in the republic. The participants in these rallies insist on Lukashenka's resignation from the post of head of state and on holding new elections.

Tikhanovskaya announced on August 14 that she was starting to create a coordination council “to ensure the transfer of power” in the republic.

“Taking into account what is happening in the country and the need to take urgent measures to restore the rule of law in Belarus, I, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, initiate the creation of a coordinating council to ensure the transfer of power,” her statement said.

Tikhanovskaya's confidant Olga Kovalkova on August 17 presented the list of members of the coordinating council. According to her, "the process of forming the main team is still underway." In total, 70 people should enter it, so far the names of about 40 are known.

In particular, the council included Kovalkova herself, Maria Kolesnikova, as well as Nobel Prize laureate in literature Svetlana Aleksievich, human rights activist and chairman of the human rights center "Viasna" Ales Bialiatsky, children's resuscitation doctor, candidate of medical sciences Andrei Vitushko and others.

"Platforms will be created for the work of an expanded staff, working and expert groups," she said.

Appeal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus to the people

Against the background of the current situation in the republic, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus published an appeal to the people on its Telegram channel. The ministry stressed that it does not intend to join the protesters and condemn the authorities.

“They expect from us a pretentious parting with certificates, joining the columns of protesters, public condemnation of colleagues and the authorities in general. It will not happen!" - the statement says.

As noted, the officers of the bodies do not undertake to judge “that small part of the policemen” who left the service “for their own reasons”.

The ministry stressed that they share responsibility for “all that negative that civilians had to experience during the recent events,” and urged not to succumb to the manipulators' calls for violence against law enforcement officers.

Note that during the riots, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus reported on the detention of about 7 thousand people. Hundreds of people were injured, including at least 120 law enforcement officers. Three demonstrators were reported killed.