MINSK, Aug 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday congratulated his counterpart in Belarus on his re-election after a disputed vote that led to a police crackdown on protesters.
The Kremlin said Putin had sent Alexander Lukashenko a congratulatory telegram expressing hope for “the further development of mutually beneficial Russian-Belarusian relations in all areas”.
The leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Moldova and Azerbaijan have sent messages of support.
But the German government said it had “strong doubts” about the election and that minimum standards were not met.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for the election results to be published, adding “harassment and violent repression of peaceful protesters has no place in Europe”.
The US said it was “deeply concerned” by the election and urged the government to “respect the right to peacefully assemble and to refrain from the use of force”.
In the Belarusian capital, at least 213 people were detained as police cracked down on protesters claiming Lukashenko rigged Sunday’s presidential election, a prominent rights group said on Monday.
The Viasna Human Rights Centre said at least 110 people were detained, including at least 40 at or near polling stations and 70 during a pro-opposition protest. Others were detained in various cities.
Police fired rubber bullets for a second night to quash protests following Sunday’s disputed presidential elections.
Officials say one demonstrator died when an explosive device went off in his hands – the first confirmed casualty since the clashes began.
The election was held amid growing frustration at Lukashenko’s leadership, with opposition rallies attracting large crowds. The preceding days saw a crackdown on activists and journalists.
Lukashenko, in power since 1994, has described opposition supporters as “sheep” controlled from abroad, and vowed not to allow the country to be torn apart.
Lukashenko won 80.23% of the vote, according to election officials, with
his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, 37, a former teacher, receiving 9.9%.
President Lukashenko, 65, was first elected in 1994.
Tikhanovskaya entered the election in place of her jailed husband and went on to lead large opposition rallies.
Protests were also being held in other Belarusian cities. — NNN-AGENCIES
