We started discussing it in "Ask a Russian" thread, but the situation seems to deteriorate quickly and we probably need a separate thread for this.
Three days ago, there were president elections in Belarus. Acting president, Alexander Lukashenko has been in power there for 5 consecutive terms since 1994. Preliminary results of elections show that Lukashenko is winning with overwhelming advantage, more than 80% of votes. Many Belorussians consider this result outrageous and claim that elections were rigged. Unofficial exit polls were showing that leading opposition candidate, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya got 70%-90% of votes.
Official election results sparked mass protests and riots in Belarus. According to the videos, police treats protesters quite brutally, there were already reports about many wounded people. Lukashenko blames both Western countries and Russia in meddling with elections and organizing riots.
There are reports about ~2000 arrested last night, including Russian citizens and several journalists. Tikhanovskaya last night published a video where she looks scared and says that she made difficult decision to leave the country.
Translation and more comments in the BBC article.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53733330
Today, mass protests are continuing, several large factories and plants went on strike.
What do you think Europe and Russia should do about it?
Three days ago, there were president elections in Belarus. Acting president, Alexander Lukashenko has been in power there for 5 consecutive terms since 1994. Preliminary results of elections show that Lukashenko is winning with overwhelming advantage, more than 80% of votes. Many Belorussians consider this result outrageous and claim that elections were rigged. Unofficial exit polls were showing that leading opposition candidate, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya got 70%-90% of votes.
Official election results sparked mass protests and riots in Belarus. According to the videos, police treats protesters quite brutally, there were already reports about many wounded people. Lukashenko blames both Western countries and Russia in meddling with elections and organizing riots.
There are reports about ~2000 arrested last night, including Russian citizens and several journalists. Tikhanovskaya last night published a video where she looks scared and says that she made difficult decision to leave the country.
Translation and more comments in the BBC article.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53733330
Today, mass protests are continuing, several large factories and plants went on strike.
What do you think Europe and Russia should do about it?