Several Belarusian TV presenters on Wednesday, August 12, announced their dismissal from state channels, RIA Novosti reports.
In particular, the host of the popular evening show Yevgeny Perlin said that he had decided to leave the Belarus-1 TV channel due to the situation in the country.
“What happened to my Belarus? I have been working on television in live broadcasts since 2009 … I decided that my today’s broadcast on Belarus-1 was the last. Nobody influenced this decision, I made it myself, ”the TV presenter wrote on Instagram.
Later, Perlin’s colleague, well-known Belarusian TV presenter Olga Belmach, also announced her dismissal.
“I don’t work on TV anymore,” she wrote on Facebook.
She characterized what was happening in the republic with profanity, noting that she was leading a program on etiquette and could act as an expert in this matter.
“Belorussians, hold on, you deserve to be happy! And alive! Security officials, stop! ” – she wrote.
In addition, TV presenter Sergei Kozlovich wrote on Instagram that he decided to leave the TV News Agency, part of the largest Belarusian state media holding.
“It was a childhood dream, to which I dedicated ten years. Starting with video editing on ONT, and ending with live broadcasts on “Belarus – 1”. Working in the frame will always be a thrill for me. But yesterday I sat in the ATN studio for the last time. The decision is independent. The search for a new job is ahead, ”Kozlovich wrote.
TV channel STV left the presenter Tatyana Borodkina, who also left an emotional post on Facebook.
Also, the host of the military program “Arsenal” on the state TV channel “Belarus 1” Vladimir Burko announced his dismissal.
“I would never have thought, even in my worst nightmare, that the soldiers and equipment I was talking about could be used against my people … I want to appeal to the military, soldiers and officers. You are waiting for an order. You are perfectly aware of what this order will be, and, most likely, you understand what the consequences will be for the Belarusians, who simply wanted justice, but will receive a bullet from you. Think before it’s too late, ”he wrote on Instagram.
Mass protests have been taking place in Belarus since August 9, on that day, presidential elections were held in the country. The current head of state, Alexander Lukashenko, according to the CEC, got 80.08% of the vote, opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya was supported by 10.09% of voters. Tikhanovskaya’s headquarters did not recognize the results of the vote.
After that, people who disagreed with the election results began to take to the streets. They are opposed by the security forces. In the clashes, there are casualties on both sides.