Terror Campaign by Dictator Lukashenko in Belarus 2011

On January 2nd, 2011 the Human Rights Center Viasna (Spring) expressed its strong protest against the beginning of the terror campaign in Belarus towards dissidents and political opponents of the government with the following statement.

STATEMENT of Human Rights Center Viasna concerning Terror Campaign towards opposition-minded people of Belarus

Starting from December 19th, 2010 the country was flooded with political repression. On December 30th, 2010 22 people who are kept in the KGB jail were formally charged under parts 1 and 2 of the Article 293 of the Criminal Code of Belarus (organization and participation in mass riot), including five presidential candidates: Uladimir Neklyaev, Andrey Sannikov, Nikolay Statkevich, Aleksey Mikhalevich, and Vitaliy Rymashevskiy. In addition to the presidential candidates, the charges were brought against the leaders of their campaign teams, journalists and other prominent opposition activists. The restraint in the form of two-month detention was chosen for all of them.

At least nine more people are also in the status of suspects in the criminal case on the riot, including two presidential candidates - Gregory Kostusev and Dmitriy Uss, as well as two citizens of the Russian Federation.

The Chairperson of the youth organization Young Front Dmitriy Dashkevich and its activist Eduard Lobov are still kept in the pre-trial prison in Minsk on suspicion of malignant hooliganism.

More than 200 people are still kept in prison, serving administrative arrests for participation in the protest rally in Minsk on December 19th, 2010 and the subsequent actions of solidarity with political prisoners. More than 700 people have been arrested or fined for last ten days.

Human Rights Center Viasna is particularly concerned with information about the use of torture, psychological pressurization of detainees and the absence of medical care.

Starting from December 20th, 2010 mass searches and interrogations of activists of opposition political parties, civic organizations and independent media have began. Hundreds of opposition activists, representatives of independent civil society and journalists have been threatened and harassed by the KGB and the Interior Ministry.

Premises of human rights organizations were searched in Minsk and in the regions. The authorities are trying to discredit the activities of human rights defenders in the eyes of the society.

The lawyers who defend the accused in the criminal case concerning the mass riot are pressurized as well.

The Human Rights Center Viasna expresses its strong protest over the outbreak of the Belarusian authorities of the mass political repression in the country and declares:

--- the election of the President of the Republic of Belarus was not a free and democratic. The election results announced by the Central Election Commission in no way reflect the real will of the citizens of Belarus;

--- the protest rally against the undemocratic and non-free election was peaceful. The people who gathered in central Minsk, had peaceful purposes, and sought to peacefully express their opinions and protest;

--- The incident with the smashing of windows in the building of the House of Government was not prevented by law enforcement agencies. The demonstrative non-action of the Interior Ministry, a large number of whose workers were present on the Independence Square, points to an organized provocation by the authorities;

--- The actions of the police to disperse demonstrators were clearly disproportionate to the character of the action. The use of physical force and police gear led to a large number of beaten and wounded members of the peaceful protest;

---The attack of security services in civilian clothes on the presidential candidate Uladimir Neklyaev and his supporters was clearly lawless and provocative;

---The beating and arrest of virtually all presidential candidates, Aleksander Lukashenko´s opponents, is nothing but political violence;

---The initiation of a criminal case under the part 1 and 2 of the Article 293 of the Criminal Code (mass riot) is used only for a long-term isolation of the leaders of the opposition pro-democracy movement, as well as for pressurizing and intimidating the country´s civil society, independent media and journalists, as well as all dissidents in the country;

---The Human Rights Center Viasna demands the immediate release of all prisoners and cessation of repressions against opposition leaders and activists, civil society and independent media.

---The Human Rights Center Viasna expresses solidarity with all those arrested for their views, their family members and encourages members of the Belarusian public and the international community to support the repressed people.

---The Human Rights Centre Viasna urges the governments of the European Union, the United States and international organizations to condemn the repression and massive human rights violations in Belarus and to take all possible measures for their immediate cessation.

On December 22nd, 2010 one of the former presidential candidates Gregory Kostusev submitted a complaint (on 32 pages) to the Central Election Commission of Belarus to recognize the results of the presidential elections in the Republic of Belarus on Dec. 19, 2010 null and void.

On December 24th the Central Election Commission of Belarus rejected this complaint.

On January 4th, 2011 Gregory Kostusev has applied to the Supreme Court of Belarus with the request to review the results of the Central Election Commission concerning the acknowledgement of the presidential elections. His application includes the enumeration of the violations that were registered by observers, members of election commissions and electioneering agents of candidates.

"I have no hope for a fair verdict of the Supreme Court. May be they won´t even accept my application. Nevertheless, I am convinced that it was my duty to pass such application to the court," stated Gregory Kostusev.

A Peaceful Mass Protest Was Transformed to Mass Riot Criminal Cases By Dictator Lukashenko & His Gang

Minsk, Belarus

The reason of the crackdown on the opposition leaders, activists and journalists was a peaceful mass protest rally on December 19, 2010 in Minsk. Belarusian citizens were outraged by the shocking fraud in the presidential election, with the help of which the Belarusian dictator Lukashenko tried to stay in power. [http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/206250] [http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/208071]

It has been informed by "Viasna" (Spring) Human Rights Center that as of December 30th, 2010, 26 people have been joined to the officially so-called "mass riots" (or peaceful mass protest) criminal case in Minsk, Belarus.

23 out of them are kept in the KGB detention center, Gregory Kostusev and Dmitriy Uss have given a written undertaking to leave the place, Nikita Likhavid is to be taken from Zhodzino prison to the KGB detention center in the nearest time. The last on the list of suspects is Andrey Fedarkevich, who had been arrested for 10 days of administrative arrest and served the sentence in the temporary detention facility in Zhodzino, then was transferred to the KGB detention facility in Minsk. KGB officers are searching for Nikita Krasnov. A search was held in his apartment on December 27. In the search warrant it was written that the young activist was also "a suspect."

Almost nothing is known about the prisoners of the KGB jail. Lawyers have signed non-disclosure obligations. But even without that one can guess that rights of the arrested are violated. A lawyer of Uladimir Neklyaev, a presidential candidate, was allowed to visit him only after a week. Before that there was no information about whereabouts and state of health of the poet. Nothing is known about the state of health of Andrey Sannikov, a presidential candidate. He had been brutally beaten up, his leg was injured. Natallia Radzina, an editor of charter97.org, did not get any medical assistance. As the lawyer of the journalist informed, "She is still bleeding from her ears" from police beating.

On December 29 charges are to be brought against most suspects. The list of suspects in the "Mass riots" criminal case opened under Article 293 Parts 1 and 2 of the Criminal Code of Belarus [A note: Article 293. Mass riots. Part 1. Organizing of mass riots accompanied by violence against persons, pogroms, arsons, destruction of property, armed resistance to representatives of authorities, - is punished by deprivation of liberty for a term from 5 to 15 years. Part 2. Participation in mass riots, consisting in immediate participation in actions mentioned in the first part of this article is punished by deprivation of liberty for a term from 3 to 8 years.]:

1. Andrey Sannikov - a presidential candidate
2. Uladimir Neklyaev - a presidential candidate

3. Gregory Kostusev - a presidential candidate (under a written undertaking not to leave the place)

4. Aleksandr Atroshchenkov - a press-secretary of Andrey Sannikov´s campaign headquarters

5. Aleksey Mikhalevich - a presidential candidate

6. Vitaliy Rymashevskiy - a presidential candidate

7. Pavel Severinetz - an electioneering agent of the candidate Vitaliy Rymashevskiy

8. Dmitriy Bandarenko - a coordinator of "European Belarus" civil campaign

9. Irina Khalip - a journalist, Andrey Sannikov´s wife

10. Natallia Radzina - a journalist, an editor of charter97.org website

11. Anatoliy Lebedko - the chair of the United Civil Party

12. Anastasiya Palazhanko - a deputy chairperson of the "Young Front"

13. Andrey Dmitriev -Uladimir Neklyaev´s campaign manager

14. Aleksandr Feduta - a political analyst, one of coordinators of Uladimir Neklyaev´s election campaign team

15. Nikolay Statkevich - a presidential candidate

16. Aleksandr Klaskovskiy- a former police officer

17. Uladimir Kobets - a campaign manager of Andrey Sannikov

18. Dmitriy Uss - a presidential candidate (under a written undertaking not to leave the place)

19. Sergei Vaznyak - Uladimir Neklyaev´s electioneering agent

20. Oleg Korban - one of the leaders of the UCP youth organization, "Young Democrats"

21. Aleksandr Arastovich - Nikolai Statkevich´s electioneering agent

22. Anatoliy Pavlov - Yaroslav Ramanchuk´s electioneering agent

23. Sergei Martsalev - Nikolai Statkevich´s campaign manager

24. Dmitriy Novik - a participant of the protest rally on December 19

25. Nikita Likhovid - "For Freedom" movement activist, the decision to detain him for 15 days has been annulled. He is to be transferred from Zhodzina to the KGB detention center.

26. Andrey Fedorkevich - a participant of the protest rally on December 19, the decision to detain him for 10 days has been annulled. He has been transferred from Zhodzino to the KGB detention center.

Despite Christmas, Belarusian law-enforcement agencies keep raiding opposition offices and apartments of civil and political activists, adding to the increasing atmosphere of fear in the society. All over Belarus dozens of apartments and offices have been searched by the police and the KGB, including those of former presidential candidate Ales Mikhalevich´s wife, Charter ´97 editor Natallia Radzina´s mother, Iryna Khalip´s father and pro-democratic activist Viachaslav Sivchuk.

Lukashenko So Called President of Belarus is Illegitimate Since 1999 (Arguments & Facts)

Minsk, Belarus

On December 22nd, 2010 one of the former presidential candidates Gregory Kostusev submitted a complaint (on 32 pages) to the Central Election Commission of Belarus to recognize the results of the presidential elections in the Republic of Belarus on Dec. 19, 2010 null and void. On December 24th the CEC of Belarus rejected this complaint.

Here is a short version of this complaint:

To the Central Commission of Belarus for Elections and National Referendums

To the General Prosecutor of the Republic of Belarus

Copies: to OSCE / ODIHR Election Observation 2010, CIS Observation Mission]

APPLICANTS:

Candidate for the President of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Neklyaev

Candidate for the President of the Republic of Belarus Gregory Kostusev

RATIONALE: on recognizing the election of the President of the Republic of Belarus 2010 null and void

Numerous documents attached to this complaint testify as the evidence of gross violations of Laws of the Republic of Belarus at all stages of the electoral process. These violations significantly influenced the preparation of presidential elections in Belarus, their conduct and the outcome of the vote.

The election campaign was held across Belarus with violations of national legislation and international standards - especially presidential elections did not meet the standards of the Copenhagen document of the CSCE (1990)

and the obligations of the Republic of Belarus in this field, which eventually led to a regular (2001, 2006) falsification of the results of the elections.

We are taking into account the time shortage for appeal (only during 3 days after December 19th, 2010) and the detention of the Candidate for the President of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Neklyaev on December 19th along with six other presidential candidates.

At this time we present detailed, but incomplete analysis of the major violations of Belarusian Law, in connection with which the election of the President Republic of Belarus in 2010 are considered to be invalid.

1. USURPATION OF POWER BY MR. LUKASHENKO AND HIS GOVERNMENT AND WITHHOLDING OF POWER BY UNCONSTITUTIONAL MEANS. ILLEGAL PARTICIPATION OF MR. LUKASHENKO IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS 2010.

1.1. Trampling of the legislative framework of the electoral system of the Republic of Belarus by Mr. Lukashenko.

Finding Mr. Lukashenko in office till now without any restrictions made possible by the national referendum initiated and conducted by him and his government.

Referendums which established an unrestricted usurpation of power by Mr. Lukashenko were initiated and conducted in 1995, 1996 and 2004: in 1995 Belarussian historical (national) state symbols were replaced for the sake of the personal political and ideological principles of Mr. Lukashenko; in 1996 the main principle of separation of powers was abolished and without any elections his term in office was extended for two years; and in 2004 the constitutional limits on the tenure of the President of the Republic of Belarus were finally removed.

Due to the referendum of 1996, the results of which could only be recommended by law, the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus has been amended and changed, and the president's powers have been illegally additionally expanded and extended until 2001.

The appointment by Mr. Lukashenko of referendum 1995-1996 was based on his personal decrees and could be considered by international law as an usurpation of legislative power.

Special Commission of the Supreme Council of XIII-th Convocation on a legal assessment of violations by the President Lukashenko of the Constitution and Laws of the Republic Belarus, led by Viktar Hanchar
made a conclusion that his actions by holding a referendum in 1996 to change a Constitution was a CRIME, and according to the Article 61-1 of the Criminal Code (hereinafter - CC) of the Republic of Belarus (1960) was considered as "a conspiracy to seize the government". This parliamentary committee concluded that since July 20th, 1999, the presidency of Mr. Lukashenko lost its legitimacy.  

[Viktar Hanchar was a Belarusian politician  who disappeared in Minsk on September 16, 1999, along with his friend, the businessman Anatol Krasouski. Both of them were abducted and executed on the order of people close to president Lukashenko. Investigation of the disappearance of Hanchar and Krasouski is one of the basic charges of the Belarusian opposition, and is also mentioned in the documents of international organizations.]

The next step was the publication by Mr. Lukashenko on September 7, 2004, a decree № 431
"About the Purpose of the Referendum 2004." As a result of this referendum the illegal changes were made to the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus which lifted the restrictions on only two presidential terms at the office.

The referendum on Oct. 17, 2004 was carried out with gross violations of all norms of the electoral law and democratic principles, outlined in the Copenhagen Document, supported by the Republic of Belarus. The results of the referendum were not recognized by democratic community of Belarus and international organizations (Council of Europe, PACE, European Union, OSCE, etc.).

The results of the referendum 2004, held in clear violation of the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Belarus, should be null and void.

Actions of Mr. Lukashenko to initiate and conduct a referendum on removal of constitutional restrictions on staying in power for more than two terms fall under signs of crime, responsibility for which is provided in Part 3, Article 424, Article 357 and Part 2 of the Criminal Code (abuse of power with the purpose of unconstitutional holding).

In addition, the organization and conduct of referendum passed with egregious violations of the electoral and other laws of the Republic of Belarus.

Multiple belarussian citizens´ appeal to the prosecutor's office (in 2004, 2006 and subsequent years) with the demand to bring against Mr. Lukashenko criminal proceedings under Articles 357 and 424 of the Criminal Code were declined with no proper legal explanation.

On the eve of the elections 2006 discriminative legislative Benefits (Amendments to the Criminal Code, etc.) for the incumbent running for a new term were established. Shortly before the election campaign, Mr. Lukashenko legalized presidential decrees number 8, 11, 20, which tightened the legal framework for political parties, associations, creating limited opportunities for mass actions of opposition, mass protests.

In the legislative basis for the preparation and holding of presidential elections 2010 were made only such changes (amendments to the Electoral Code), which have left enduring legal framework for the system of rigged elections and the absolute dominance in the elections of only one candidate - the incumbent Mr. Lukashenko.

Thus, the seizure of state power, abuse of power and its retention in unconstitutional way still should be incriminated to Mr. Lukashenko. Since July 20th, 1999 Alexander Lukashenko is considered to be illegitimate president of Belarus.

1.2. Unlawful retention of power by illegitimate president Lukashenko is accompanied by methods of force and political repressions.

Mr. Lukashenko is suspected in involvement of political killings and disappearances in Belarus. In 1999-2000, his political opponents Yuriy Zakharenko, Victor Gonchar, Anatol Krasovski and Dmitriy Zavadski disappeared by force. In some documents of international organizations to these abductions, and perhaps, physical liquidation (executions without a trial) the involvement of Belarussian KGB (death squad) and higher officials of Belarus (V. Sheiman, J. Sivakov, Naumov, N. Vasilchenko, D. Pavlichenko, etc.) is documented.

The above actions for unlawful retention of power, are qualified according to the Part 3. of Article 357 of the Criminal Code (keeping state power by unconstitutional means, entailing the loss of life or associated with murder) and Article 128 of the Criminal Code (crimes against the security of mankind -the systematic abduction, followed by their disappearance, committed in connection with the political beliefs of the civilian population). According to the Article 128 there is no period of limitation for such crimes.

Mr. Lukashenko´s inaction and inability, as the head of state, to investigate the disappearances incur additional suspicions to his personal interest and, possibly, direct involvement in these disappearances.

In addition, in the Republic of Belarus in recent years a number of unjust (in the opinion of the public) criminal proceedings took place in the result of which the political opponents of Lukashenko, in particular Candidate for President of Aleksander Kozulin, were sentenced to various kinds of penalties, including imprisonment during the presidential elections of 2006.

Multiple belarussian citizens´ appeal to the prosecutor's office (in 2004, 2006 and subsequent years) with the demand to bring against Mr. Lukashenko criminal proceedings under the Article 128 of the Criminal Code were declined with no proper legal explanation.

Thus, Mr. Lukashenko who is holding state power illegally resorts to repressive measures against political opponents, and is suspected to be involved in violent disappearance of some of them.

1.3. Mr. Lukashenko and his subordinate officers are using illegal detention authorities to rigg the results of the elections in Belarus 2010.

After the last presidential election in 2006, Mr. Lukashenko, who illegally took up the post of President of the Republic of Belarus has repeatedly directly admitted that he had instructed to falsify the results of elections. Such statements of Mr. Lukashenko require thorough analysis and legal evaluation by the prosecution system of Belarus and international authorities, because they contain information about the crime.

In conclusion: All of the above suggests that Mr. Lukashenko who from July 20, 1999 is considered an illegitimate president of Belarus, usurp and retain power illegally, by lies, falsifications and repressions. The participation of Mr. Lukashenko in all previous presidential elections (except in 1994), and in the elections of 2010 is illegal.
 

Dictator Lukashenko, press conference, English subtitles, Part 2

Dictator Lukashenko, press conference, English subtitles, Part 1

Inside the Criminal Mind of Illegitimate President Lukashenko

On December 1st, 2010 in Minsk in response to the release of polling data indicating that President Lukashenko have less than 50% support, and might therefore be forced into a second round run-off, the Chair of the Central Election Commission, Lidia Yermoshina said "Why do you think that it will be a two-round election? I am positive I will celebrate New Year at home."

Mr. Lukashenko, why you cannot return belarussians free elections? What are you afraid of? Prevailing over nine opponents who have no media access, no money, no mansions in their possession, no multi-billion dollar accounts abroad, seems easy enough even without cheating. Please, tell us, why do you need to cheat belarussians for so many years?

1994? 2001? 2006?

To cheat, to steal, to kill. Why? Why, Mr. Grinch?

You're a monster, Mr. Grinch.

Your heart's an empty hole.

Your brain is full of spiders,

You've got garlic in your soul.

Mr. Grinch.

On December 20th it was announced officially, that Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko won re-election with almost 80% of the vote on Sunday. What a surprise! The opposition, though, was accusing the government of massive fraud. How come? Tens of thousands protesters in Minsk were savagely beaten and seven opposition candidates have been arrested. Their whereabouts is unknown to the public till now.

One can only speculate to what extent the election was rigged. Usually for Lukashenko is about +40% illegitimate votes. That´s why the opposition, was accusing the government of massive fraud on Sunday night of December 19th demanding elections without Lukashenko. Opposition candidates were asking simple questions.

Why people known for falsifying the election results in 2001 and 2006 have remained in charge of counting the votes in 2010? Including the Chair of the Central Election Commision, Lidia Yermoshina. Do they belong to a particular Lukashenko´s mafia circle? Mr. & Mrs. Grinch, why out of the 240 complaints lodged by candidates and their authorized representatives, and by other participants of the electoral process, only 3 were satisfied? Why Mobile networks in Belarus have been crippled, independent media sites have been attacked, and key internet sites such as Facebook and Gmail have all been blocked on December 19-20, 2010?

The answer is Mr.Lukashenko-Grinch got scared on December 19th, 2010 when he had learnt that only 38% of votes were coming his way. Inside his criminal mind it was a dead end for him and his regime.
You're a rotter, Mr. Grinch.

You're the king of sinful sots.

Your heart's a dead tomato splotched

With moldy purple spots,

Mr. Grinch.

Apparently showing no qualms about the mass arrests at night of December 20th, Lukashenko announced with a smile at a news conference that 639 protestors were being held in Minsk detention facilities. Hundreds of detainees stand closed-door trials. Belarusian law-enforcement authorities instituted criminal proceedings into the riots according to Article 293 of the Penal Code of Belarus. The article stipulates up to 15 years of imprisonment for former candidates for the presidency. What a surprise, Mr. Lukashenko-Grinch, what a surprise!

Why so many protesters were held for 10-15 days, Mr. Grinch? Why?

According to CEC secretary Nikolai Lozovik, former presidential candidates may file a complain about not recognizing the results of the elections no later than the third day after the elections (till December 23rd), and personally. In addition, the applicants may appeal the decision of the Central Election Commission in the Supreme Court within ten days (till December 29th). "I think it is unlikely we will receive any complaints this time" - suggested Lozovik. No wonder!

"Early signs indicate that Lukashenko and his cronies are up to their old tricks," says Freedom House Executive Director David J. Kramer. "Attacks on Internet and mobile network sites suggest an effort to conceal fraud at the polls. The thuggish behavior by authorities in dealing with protestors deserves immediate condemnation. Democratic forces around the world should be standing with those thousands of brave people in October Square protesting Lukashenko's effort to stay in power no matter what."

"This election failed to give Belarus the new start it needed. The counting process lacked transparency. The people of Belarus deserved better," said Tony Lloyd, one of the OSCE mission leaders.

The U.S. Embassy said that Washington "strongly condemns all election day violence in Belarus." German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said that "it's not acceptable to harass, beat or arrest opposition candidates and their supporters who want to exert their right to freedom of expression." Poland's Foreign Ministry also condemned the crackdown.

"At this moment I don't know where my husband is," Neklyaev's wife told reporters. "I couldn't imagine that: They took him right from an emergency care unit as I was watching."

Also Andrey Sannikov and his wife Irina were arrested, who were among those beaten outside the government building. Sannikov was the next-highest vote getter after Lukashenko, tallying 2.5%, according to official figures.

The human-rights center Vesna said courts on Monday, December 20th, began sentencing many of the arrested to jail terms of 5 to 15 days. Interior Ministry spokesman Anatoly Kuleshov said organizers of mass disturbances could face up to 15 years in prison.

The latest revelations from U.S. diplomatic cables leaked by the WikiLeaks website describe the government in Belarus as a "criminal regime of a violent and authoritarian nature."

Cables written by U.S. diplomats in Minsk in 2007 and 2008 describe Belarusian President Aleksander Lukashenko as a "dictator" and a "peasant turned ideology officer" whose Soviet upbringing has led him to believe "the state rules the people."

The cables say: "As a former Soviet army political officer, the dictator understands the use of ideology as a veneer to mask the true intentions of one's actions."

"Lawlessness, dictatorship - what else can you call this?" said Natalia Pohodnya, waiting in the snow outside a Minsk jail where her son was being held after participating in a demonstration. "They are beating our kids!"

Official Results of the Belarus elections 2010: http://vybory2010.by [Server Not Found in 2013!!!]

Lukashenko - 79.76%

Sannikov - 2.44%

Neklyaev - 1.77%

Romanchuk - 1.97%

Rymashevskiy - 1.10%

Statkevich - 1.04%

Tereshenko - 1.08%

Michalevich - 1.02%

Kostusev - 1.97%

Uss - 0.48%

Against all: 6.47%

Unofficial exit-pools results:

Lukashenko - 38.1%

Sannikov - 11.6%

Neklyaev - 11.7%

Romanchuk - 9.9%

Rymashevskiy - 1.1%

Statkevich - 3.8%

Tereshenko - 0.7%

Michalevich - 1.8%

Kostusev - 2.4%

Uss - 0.5%

Against All: 9%

So, this is what we have in reality:

Lukashenko - 38%, other candidates - 42% (less than 50% on all sides)

Common sense verdict - SECOND RUN-OFF of the elections for Mr. Grinch!

And, by the way, the Chair of the Central Election Commision, Lidia Yermoshina, please prove us wrong and do RE-COUNT of ballots this week!

Mr. Grinch & Mrs. Grinch, the whole world and you know that real ballots do not exist any more. So, there´s nothing to re-count in Minsk, Belarus on X-mas eve 2010.

Dictator Lukashenko Declared a War Against People of Belarus on December 19th 2010

After 16 years in office, illegitimate President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko appeared headed for another five-year term in a controversial election Sunday, December 19th, 2010, that was quickly followed by violent late-night street clashes and accusations of vote fraud from human rights groups and opposition presidential candidates.

Final results announced by the State's Central Election Commission indicated that Lukashenko received 79.7% of the vote, after 100% was counted. Nevertheless, exit-polls' data, conducted by EcooM experts, show that only 72% of people have voted for the current head of state. The second place has been given to Andrey Sannikov, followed by Vladimir Neklyaev (4-5% of the vote).

Moreover, and what is interesting and, probably, close to real results of the elections is the exit-polls by TNS Ukraine which indicates that only about 40% of Belarusians voted for Lukashenko.

According to TNS, Alexander Lukashenko, in the first round of the presidential elections in Belarus, gained less than 50% of votes. By the way, TNS Ukraine is officially registered by the Belarusian Central Election Commission. And according to TNS Ukraine, Lukashenka has got 42% of votes, followed by opposition candidate Vladimir Neklyaev with 17%, followed by Andrey Sannikov with 13% of votes.

There is no surprise that another presidential elections in Belarus has evolved along with the old scenario; the voting was forged, once again the opposition was not allowed to take part in vote counting, observers witnessed numerous violations, many voters were forced by officials to take part in the pre-election, the candidates for President had no access to the television and other media - just like during the last 16 years.

To raise a protest against the fraud, six oppositional candidates for President - Andrey Sannikov, Vladimir Neklayev, Grigoriy Kostusev, Yaroslav Romanchuk, Vitaliy Rymashevskiy and Nikolay Statkevich - called upon people to come to October Square in Minsk on December 19th at 8:00 pm.

At 8:40 pm thousands gathered in the square. Just before that it was announced that the headquarters of Vladimir Neklayev were seized by the special police forces. Activists of Neklayev´s campaign were supposed to bring loudspeakers to the square, but special police units seized the vehicle with the equipment. Everyone was forced to lie down facing the ground. The candidate himself was beaten up and driven away in an ambulance. The equipment was confiscated.

Nevertheless, several loudspeakers reached the square, where candidates for President - Andreiy Sannikov, Nikolay Statkevich, Vitaliy Rymashevskiy, Grigoriy Kostusiov, Yaroslav Romanchuk, and Dmitriy Uss - had arrived. The candidates addressed tens of thousands of people who had gathered there, and announced that according to independent exit-polls, Lukashenko had got only 31% in the entire country. He lost the election and the second round was to be expected.

"If there is no second round, then Lukashenko is indeed a tyrant and dictator," Sergei Kalyakin, the head of the campaign "For Faire Election" said. Furthermore, he described the fraud taking place during the voting and claimed the election to be another farce.

October Square was entirely filled with people. Even the skating ring deliberately arranged to cover nearly the entire square did not stop the demonstrators - they were standing on the ice. People were chanting "Lukashenko, Go Away!", "We demand free election!", "New election without Lukashenko!"

Candidate for President Andrey Sannikov announced the collapse of Lukashenko´s regime and declared a newly established Government of National Rescue. The Government of National Rescue would include the democratic candidates for President who had come to the square.

The candidates claimed that another, free election - this time without Lukashenko - must be negotiated with the government. Those who had gathered on the square started moving along the Independence Avenue towards the Independence Square.

Tens of thousands of Belarusians filled the avenue, both the road and the pavement. The crowd demanded new and free election, and their slogans were heard all over the city center. Drivers left their cars and joined the rally. The demonstrators called their friends´ cell phones and urged them to come to the square, to raise the protest, not to be afraid.

Loudspeakers were installed on the Independence Square, and on behalf of all the candidates for the President who were there (at that moment, all candidates who claimed their protest were there, apart from Yaroslav Romanchuk), Andrey Sannikov announced that the Government of National Rescue was ready to negotiate with the authorities.

The candidates for President demanded to be let in to the Government building in order to hold a peaceful talks.

At that time, the demonstrators moved to decisive actions. Hundreds of strong men approached the entrance to the Government building and knocked to the doors. The windows shattered revealing closets! The doors of the House of Government were barricaded from the people. The closets were dammed up by special police units.

During 20 minutes the demonstrators tried to throw down the closets and enter the building. Slogans "Lukashenko, Go away!" and "We want talks!" were heard from the square.

Meanwhile, hundreds of fully equipped soldiers of special interior forces ran out from the left wing of the Government building. They had military boots, helmets and shields. The soldiers attacked the people and started to beat them up. The demonstrators were falling down on the ice. They were trampled and kicked. There, under the feet of special police units, was charter97.org editor Natalia Radzina. The police were beating her up and kicking her in her head, until someone from the crowd dragged her from under their feet.

According to witnesses, the police were holding electroshockers. Moreover, unknown gas was used against the demonstrators. All that made people move away from the entrance to the Government building, but nobody left the square.

The people remained standing on the square chanting "We want talks!" It was announced then that the talks would be held. The candidates approached the House of Government; high military officials who had just arrived to the square were heading the same way.

And at that moment, when the negotiations were already on (!), thousands (!) of soldiers of special forces ran out from behind the building and started to beat up the demonstrators. Ten military trucks drove out to the square; hundreds of people were beaten up and "packed" to the trucks.

Shortly after that, candidate for President Andrey Sannikov was pushed on the ground and beaten up. When he and his wife were about to drive to the hospital, their car was stopped. Sannikov was dragged ouside, beaten up once again and driven away. His wife Irina Khalip was pushed to another car; the police beat her head against glass.

Meanwhile, the Independence Square was surrounded by trucks with the military. Soldiers equipped with body armor and helmets formed a chain preventing people from approaching the House of Government, while special police units were beating up and detaining the demonstrators.

After that the special forces blocked all avenues so that nobody could walk out to the street again.

According to human rights activists, from 200 to 500 people were detained. They were taken to the special distribution station on Okrestina Street and to the temporary prison of Zhodino. Candidates for President Kostusev, Statkevich and Rymashevsky were arrested after the rally, along with Andrey Sannikov. Natalia Koliada, the head of the Belarusian Free Theater, was also arrested. Head of the human rights service of the civil initiative European Belarus Lidia Chistova is at the hospital with a cranio-cerebral trauma. Hundreds of people were assaulted; some of them were taken to the hospital of Interior Ministry with cranio-cerebral traumas and smashed heads.

Information about arrests and detentions was coming during the whole night of December 20th, 2010. Special Forces officials in civil uniforms took Vladimir Neklayev right from the hospital bed. Leader of the United Civil Party Anatoliy Lebedko was detained at his home.

The Belarusians were again urged to come out to the Independence Square on December 20th, at 6:00 pm. "We will not leave! We must fight for our freedom and our choice!" claimed the opposition leaders. Now we must fight for the liberation of the candidates for President, whom the people of Belarus have given their votes.

Also during the suppress of the demonstration against the falsifications in Minsk in the evening on December 19th, 2010 various journalists were beaten up.

Injured in different scale where the journalists: Natalia Radina (charter97.org), Ruslan Gorbachev (gazeta.by), Viktor Tolochko (BelTA), Ales Piletsky («Nasha Niva»), John Hill (The New York Times)

Irina Khalip, correspondent of the Russian newspaper «Novaya Gazeta», wife of the candidate to the presidency of Belarus Andrey Sannikov, was detained. About 500 people were arrested that night.

The special forces where beating us at heads. If someone woudn't have taken me away from their boots - they would have definitely killed me. It seems I have a concussion, but I've got to continue working», told BelaPAN the editor of charter97.org Natalia Radina.

There is a report that several cameramen from the Russia Today TV Channel Anton Kharchenko and Viktor Filiaev, photographer Andrey Lenkevich are injured. Correspondents of the web-portal tut.by Konstantin Lashkevich and photocorrespondent of «BelGazeta» Vadim Zamirovsky are detained.

Non-Free Non-Fair Presidential Elections 2010 Confirmed Belarus as the Last Dictatorship in Europe!