Belarus: the power criminalizes the opposition and tries to regain control

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8 min

In Belarus, the attempt to regain control of the protest continues. The authorities announced Thursday the opening of criminal proceedings for "attacking national security" against the "coordination council" formed by the opposition. The lawyer of the former presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is also summoned this Friday morning by investigators.

Publicity

Up to 5 years in prison, this is what the members of the "coordination committee" intended to promote a transition of power after the disputed presidential election of August 9 incur.

A criminalization of their activities, an attempt to undermine their credibility, not really effective in the opposition, according to Elena, activist in Minsk: “  Since the beginning of the electoral campaign, our president in office, Alexandre Lukashenko, tries to eliminate the competitors by all means. Unfortunately he acts in a crude and treacherous manner. Today, August 20, 10 days after the crimes of our power - which severely beat, arrested and even killed people - our power suddenly awakens, and the Attorney General announces that the "Coordination Council" made up of " honest people " are criminals who want to usurp power. Instead of launching an investigation and punishing those responsible for the violence and murder. Besides, many people are still missing . "

For Anna Colin Lebedev, teacher researcher in Nanterre, President Lukashenko seeks to delegitimize and criminalize opposition candidates to get them "  out of the game  ".

The objective is to discredit the "coordination committee", to criminalize their action to avoid turning it into a forum for dialogue.

Anna Colin Lebedev, teacher researcher in Nanterre

Anissa El Jabri

► To read also: Belarus initiates proceedings against the "council" of the opposition

Information warfare and propaganda

At the same time, the Minister of Defense told his officers: “  Yes we could have a civil war  ”. The sign, according to Anna Colin Lebedev, that the government is embarking on a new part of its counter-offensive against the demonstrators: information war and propaganda.

We saw spots on Belarusian television showing on the one hand a green, flourishing Belarus with happy children and on the other what it would actually become if we let the protesters act: a field of ruin with Westerners and an American flag to show that it is the Americans who are behind.

Anna Colin Lebedev, teacher researcher in Nanterre

Anissa El Jabri

► To read also: Belarus: “alongside” the demonstrators, the uncompromising EU with Lukashenko

Intimidation and threats

The intimidation and threats have escalated even further. A leader of the strikes in a very important factory is missing, the director of a museum member of an electoral commission who had refused to sign the falsified minutes of his polling station was found hanged in the middle of nature in 12th day of protest Thursday evening.

Fear is growing within the opposition HQ visited by Justine Salvestroni, a French independent journalist in Minsk.

Now there is some nervousness among the members, the volunteers of the HQ (of the united opposition) who are starting to fear being arrested. There is a very clear fear.

Justine Salvestroni, freelance journalist

Murielle Paradon

Judicial response

The "coordination council" decided to respond judicially as well, according to Justine Salvestroni who was able to discuss with the members of the council.

They agreed on a judicial counterattack. So they wrote to all possible institutions - the KGB, the prosecutor, etc. And the idea is to respond, but in a judicial manner and always remain within the law.

Justine Salvestroni, freelance journalist

Murielle Paradon

Belarusians were still gathered this Thursday evening in Minsk in front of Parliament and in other cities of the country to demand change.

The protests are provisional toll of three dead, dozens injured and more than 6,700 people arrested, many of whom reported beatings and torture in custody. Around 70 people are still missing

► To listen and read also: Protest in Belarus: the concern of relatives of arrested demonstrators

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• Belarus
• Alexander Lukashenko

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