16:47, 26 August 2020

Action in support of Belarusians turns into persecution of Rostov activists

Administrative protocols have been drawn up against 14 Rostov activists for violating the procedure for holding a picket and laying flowers in support of citizens of Belarus.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that residents of Southern Russia held actions in support of citizens of Belarus. Thus, on August 16, in Volgograd, eight people held solo pickets in solidarity with Belarusian protesters. On the same day, activists of the feminist movement "FEM IZBA" held a flash mob in Rostov-on-Don as a sign of solidarity with the residents of Belarus who were subjected to violence by law enforcers. Most of the passers-by supported the young women; others treated the problem as far-fetched.

On August 9, Belarus held presidential election. According to the Central Election Commission (CEC), incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won more than 80% of the vote, while his rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya got 10%. After the vote, mass protests began in the country, at which protesters treat the election outcomes as falsified. The peaceful protests are harshly suppressed by law enforcers.

The action of Rostov activists was held on August 15. "Several activists formed a 'solidarity chain' and laid flowers at the Belarusian Embassy in support of protesters and against the violence committed by law enforcers. The Rostov police decided that the people holding each other's hands were a picket; while the flowers tied with red-and-white ribbons were visual propaganda means," says a Facebook post of the Alexei Navalny's office in Rostov-on-Don.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 26, 2020 at 05:04 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.