Belarus leader warns of tough new steps against protesters
MINSK, Belarus — Belarus’ authoritarian leader threatened Wednesday to bring criminal charges against opposition leaders and called on his security services to get tougher on demonstrators — a possible harbinger of a renewed crackdown on the peaceful protests challenging the extension of his 26-year rule. “People are on strike demanding Lukashenko’s resignation, and authorities respond with batons and riot police,” Dylevsky told The Associated Press. “Lukashenko is not changing.” The Interior Ministry said police dispersed demonstrators who were hampering factory workers’ passage and detained two of them for taking part in an unsanctioned demonstration. She called on EU leaders to support “Belarus’ re-awakening.” European Council President Charles Michel said after chairing an emergency teleconference of the 27-nation bloc leaders that the EU does not recognize the official vote tally and “stands in solidarity with the people of Belarus.” He said it will impose sanctions on “a substantial number” of people linked to Belarus’ election fraud and violence. “Lukashenko doesn’t know other methods, but we don’t fear.” The Belarusian leader also warned members of the Coordination Council that they could face criminal responsibility for their attempt to create “parallel power structures.” Turning to the striking blue-collar workers, Lukashenko warned that they would face dismissal and told law enforcement agencies to protect factory managers from the opposition pressure.
Discover Related
Turkiye opposition pushes for early polls as Swedish reporter jailed
2 killed, dozens wounded in Russian drone strike on Ukraine's Kharkiv
Turkey cracks down on protests, arrests jailed mayor's lawyer and journalists
'Reserve the right to...': Kremlin threatens to withdraw from US-brokered energy moratorium amid ongoing attacks
Turkiye detains over 1,100 as Erdogan blames ‘evil’ opposition for protests
Ukraine's Zelensky accuses Russia of rejecting ceasefire after Vladimir Putin-Donald Trump 90-minute phone call
PM Starmer says Putin must ‘come to the table’, insists ‘ball is in Russia’s court’
Major protests in Serbia raise security concerns as Dutch Embassy issues warning
Trump says Ukrainian troops 'vulnerable', requests Putin to spare their lives
More Than A Dozen Lawmakers Demand ICE Release Activist Mahmoud Khalil
Arrest of pro-Palestinian activist sparks outrage — Trump says 'first of many'
What will Trump do about the 1,400 hostages in Belarus?
Protesters demand Germany stand by Ukraine on invasion anniversary
Pressured by Putin and Trump, walls close in on Zelensky
'Color me a skeptic': CNN's Dana Bash dubious about Trump admin's latest claim
Slovakia protesters call on Fico to resign over government’s pro-Russia policy shift
Protests continue in Slovakia against PM Fico’s pro-Russia stance
Lukashenko in power for 31 years: Why is Belarusian leader called 'Europe's last dictator'?
Over 900 Tasmac staff arrested for taking out a protest demanding permanent jobs
Belarus strongman Lukashenko secures 7th term with 87.6% of votes: Exit poll
Belarus’s Lukashenko set to win 7th term, opposition calls election a farce
EU rejects Belarus election, threatens new sanctions
Amid criticism over 'farce' elections, Lukashenko calls Belarus a 'brutal democracy'