Belarus Announces Harsher Crackdown on Anti-Government Protesters

President Lukashenko Promotes Hardliners in Protest Crackdown
Russia Expresses Support for Tough Suppression

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Regarding the anti-government protests that have continued for nearly a month since the presidential election, the Belarusian government has promoted hardline forces involved in suppressing the protests. Russia, which has influence over Belarus, has labeled the anti-government protests as interference by the Western world and has actively supported the harsh crackdown beyond mere facilitation.

Belarusian protesters are holding signs that read "The Press is Sacred" during a demonstration. Citizens held these signs to express support for detained journalists.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to foreign media on the 3rd (local time), Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko promoted hardliners involved in suppressing the anti-government protests. This is interpreted as an effort to strengthen control over state institutions in response to the ongoing protests. President Lukashenko said, "Neighboring countries want our country to collapse, but it is maintaining its functions," while promoting the head of the KGB to chairman of the National Security Council and the mayor of Minsk to deputy prime minister.

This indicates an intention to suppress protesters who took to the streets to protest against the rigged election more harshly.

Not only President Lukashenko but also Russia expressed the view that the anti-government protests are interference by external forces such as the European Union (EU). Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who visited Belarus to meet President Lukashenko, stated, "External interference in Belarus's internal political process must be completely eliminated."

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview that if necessary, Russia could dispatch police reserves to Belarus to support President Lukashenko. Russia explained that the related reserves are prepared but have not been deployed as they seem unnecessary.

Both the Belarusian government and Russia have repeatedly claimed that the Western world is behind the anti-government protests, but they have not presented evidence to support this. The Belarusian opposition and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have also dismissed the allegations of Western involvement.

The level of international pressure on the Belarus situation is also increasing. Neighboring countries Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have imposed sanctions such as travel restrictions on President Lukashenko, Russian President Putin, and 29 Belarusian officials, holding them responsible for the rigged election and harsh suppression of protesters. The European Union (EU) has also agreed on sanctions against Belarus.

Meanwhile, human rights organizations are condemning Belarus for committing torture, beatings, and other abuses related to the anti-government protests. Additionally, Belarusian journalists and others have been arrested and imprisoned.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.