In the center of the Belarusian city of Brest, clashes between protesters and riot police began. This was reported on August 11 by Sputnik Belarus.
A video published by journalists filmed clashes between riot police and protesters. One of them jumps on the shields of the policemen, the other sprays gas. In response, the security forces use batons.
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, received 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 from both sides.
Earlier on Tuesday, the European Union threatened Belarus with sanctions against those responsible for the violence by law enforcement. In Brussels’ opinion, the presidential elections were neither free nor fair.
Also on the same day, it became known that the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is concerned about the situation around the protests in Belarus and calls on the authorities to ensure full respect for the rights to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly.