DRAMA IN BELARUS

DRAMA IN BELARUS Minsk was suddenly blocked, and Lukashenko held a crucial event in secret without any announcement One opposition politician described the entire conspiracy ceremony as a 'gathering of thieves' Writes: Hina, Jutarnji.hrPosted: September 23, 2020 5:15 pm A convoy of cars in which Alexander Lukashenko was also present A convoy of cars in which Alexander Lukashenko was also present -TUT.BY/AFP F Alexander Lukashenko suddenly took the oath of office for a new presidential term on Wednesday, without announcement, according to the state news agency Belta. The swearing-in ceremony, which had been announced as a major event in previous situations, was held after the controversial August 9 election results. Belta states that Lukashenko laid his right hand on the copy of the constitution and that he took the oath, while several hundred people attended the ceremony. image Alexander Lukashenko takes the oath Andrei STASEVICH / BELTA / AFP The BBC quotes witnesses from the Belarusian capital Minsk as saying that the capital was blocked as a convoy of armored cars accompanied by Lukashenko's limousine raced through the city streets. One opposition politician described the entire conspiracy ceremony as a ‘gathering of thieves’. According to the BBC, the guests were brought by bus, and it seems that only Lukashenko's domestic associates were present at the ceremony, allegedly not even the Russian ambassador was invited. Television did not broadcast the event, and the state news agency announced the news of the inauguration at the moment when it had already begun. RELATED NEWS Nikolai Kolya Lukashenko ESCAPE Where is the boy with the golden gun: Lukashenko's successor has disappeared, will his father follow him? BELARUS Men in uniforms and phantoms began to arrest protesters against Alexander Lukashenko Belarus could face EU and US sanctions over disputed elections and a harsh response from the security apparatus to protests. UN human rights investigator Anais Marin said last week that more than 10,000 people have been arrested since the election, while there are more than 500 reports of torture. Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with a firm hand since 1994, claims to have won with 80 percent of the vote, while the opposition claims the election was stolen and that Svetlana Tikhanovska won . image Alexander Lukashenko takes the oath Maxim GUCHEK / BELTA / AFP Since the election results were announced, many Belarusians have been protesting against the government of Alexander Lukashenko, who arrested several main rivals before the election, while most of the remaining opposition leaders were arrested or forced to leave the country after the election. Svetlana Tihanovska, head of the opposition Coordination Council, is in Lithuania.