Belarus strongman Lukashenko uses body armor, brings rifle as demonstrations continue

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Belarus strongman Lukashenko wears body armor, carries rifle as protests continue

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Belarus’ embattled president has a message for 10s of countless protesters who continue to require he step down: He’s not going anywhere.

Video revealed on state news company Belta revealed a rifle-wielding President Alexander Lukashenko emerging from a helicopter after other unproven video shared on social networks revealed him hovering over substantial demonstration crowds in the capital Minsk.No ammo clip showed up in his weapon.

The strongman using body armor was program by Belta showing up by helicopter as the crowds approached the edges of his governmental home premises prior to distributing in harmony.

A voiceover from Belta determined a teenager, likewise in camouflage-style body armor and bring a rifle, in Lukashenko’s entourage as the president’s 15-year-old kid, Nikolai.

An approximated crowd of in between 100,000 and 200,000 individuals participated in the rally in Minsk as demonstrations entered their 3rd week after an objected to election, which saw Lukashenko, 65, win by a landslide, although the opposition has actually called the vote rigged.

In the days following the challenged vote, violent clashes with authorities left countless individuals apprehended and lots hurt, sustaining demonstrations of the size and period unmatched for Belarus.

Law enforcement officers support barbed wire throughout an opposition rally in Minsk on Sunday. Vasily Fedosenko / Reuters

It’s unclear why Lukashenko made the program of force as there were no reports of protesters trying to go into the governmental home or its premises.

A big contingent of security services and paddy wagons were released to the rally in the capital, raising worries of a repeat crackdown, however there were no instant reports of clashes or detentions.

Another video that emerged on social networks on Sunday revealed Lukashenko welcoming riot law enforcement officer outside his home. The president can be heard thanking the officers and calling them “beauties.” The riot authorities can be heard banging their guards in action. Some can be heard shouting out: “We are with you till the end.”

Belarusians have actually been opposing every day given that the election on Aug. 9. Lukashenko has actually blamed foreign powers for conspiring to fall him.

He has actually been stiring worries of NATO forces aggregating on the nation’s western border, a claim that the alliance rejects.

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Meanwhile, Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya, a political beginner and runner-up to Lukashenko, is because of meet Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun in Lithuania on Monday.

Tsikhanouskaya got away to Lithuania after the election for security factors.

She has actually stated herself the genuine winner and informed Polish paper Gazeta Wyborcza on Monday that she hoped a discussion with the authorities will begin quickly, Reuters reported.

Lukashenko’s crackdown on protesters has actually triggered worldwide condemnation, with European leaders threatening sanctions and the U.S. calling the election “neither free nor fair.”

Reuters added to this report.