The opposition rally in the center of Minsk did not actually take place, RT correspondent Igor Zhdanov from the capital of Belarus said. Law enforcement officers arrived at Independence Square in Minsk and stopped the action by starting detentions.
“After the arrival of a column of protesters from Svoboda Square, riot police cordoned off all exits and began detentions. Most of them managed to leave, ”an RT correspondent said.
He noted that the detentions were carried out correctly and without the use of force. “Girls and women were released. The men were escorted to paddy wagons, ”he added.
At the same time, the security forces on Independence Square checked the documents of journalists, including the RT film crew. The accredited media personnel were released.
According to local media reports, some of the journalists were taken to the police station to verify their identity. Reportedly, among them was the correspondent of "Komsomolskaya Pravda" Dmitry Steshin. At about 22:00 it became known that he was released from the Minsk police department. While still in the paddy wagon, he got in touch and took part in the RT stream. The journalist spoke about the work of the security forces.
“They treat us kindly enough, there was no violence. They invited me to go to the paddy wagons. ( The reason for the arrest. - RT ) did not say - just: "Go to the paddy wagons." No, the reason is clear: we had an unauthorized rally, which we were warned about over the speakerphone, ”Steshin said.
Later, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus published an official message, which clarified the reasons for the actions of the security forces.
“Today the journalists were taken (not detained!) To the Oktyabrskoye police department of the city of Minsk to check the documents confirming the legality of their professional activities. Journalists of registered media outlets, as well as foreign journalists accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will be released, "RIA Novosti quoted a message from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
We will remind, on August 9, presidential elections were held in Belarus. According to the official data of the country's CEC, the current head of state, Alexander Lukashenko, won 80.1% of the votes. His closest rival was Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who was supported by 10.1% of citizens.
After the publication of the preliminary election results, large protests began in the republic. Demonstrations, but on a much smaller scale, continue to this day. Participants of these rallies demand Lukashenka's resignation from the post of head of state and new elections.
The protests in the first days after the vote were accompanied by clashes between demonstrators and security officials, but gradually began to pass more calmly. In addition, the number of their participants has decreased - in recent days, according to media reports, no more than a few hundred people gather in the center of Minsk.
Earlier, the head of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said that, in his opinion, a hybrid war is being waged against the republic.
“Today we have a certain stage of a hybrid, let's face it, war against Belarus. How else to call it? The media and the information sphere are amazed by this struggle, the war of the opposing sides, ”BelTA quotes him.
- Protest in Minsk
- globallookpress.com
- © Ulf Mauder / dpa
Russia is ready to help
Earlier, Vladimir Putin said that at the request of his Belarusian colleague Alexander Lukashenko, within the framework of the existing agreements, a reserve of law enforcement officers was formed in Russia to help the republic if necessary. The head of the Russian state noted that Russian forces can be used in Belarus only as a last resort.
“We also agreed that it will not be used until the situation gets out of control, and when the extremist, I want to emphasize this, the elements, hiding behind political slogans, will not cross certain boundaries and will not simply start robbery: They will not start setting fire to cars, houses, banks, trying to seize administrative buildings and so on, ”Putin said.
The President stressed that Russia is not indifferent to what is happening in Belarus. He also expressed confidence that the situation in the republic will be resolved peacefully.
“In general, the situation is now leveling off, and I hope that all the problems - and they certainly exist, otherwise people would not go out on the street, this is an absolutely obvious thing - will be resolved within the framework of the constitutional field, within the framework of the law and by peaceful means,” He added.