Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)
October 2020 Belarus Special Weapons News
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- Hundreds Of Women March Against Lukashenka Despite Threats RFE/RL 31 Oct 2020 -- Hundreds of women have marched through the streets of the Belarusian capital as protesters kept up their demand for the ouster of authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
- Over 30 People Detained Across Belarus at Saturday Opposition Rallies - Reports Sputnik 31 Oct 2020 -- More than 30 people have been detained during Saturday opposition protests held across Belarus, the non-governmental human rights centre Viasna reports.
- Lukashenka Meets New Belarusian Security Chiefs, Warns Protesters Of 'Harsh' Measures RFE/RL 30 Oct 2020 -- Alyaksandr Lukashenka, Belarus's embattled ruler, has met with his new security chiefs and sent a stark warning to protesters after he tightened his grip on the country by replacing top Interior Ministry officials and partially closing the borders, moves seen aimed at ending weeks of demonstrations over a disputed election that gave him a sixth consecutive term in power.
- Lukashenka Closes Belarus's Borders, Reshuffles Security Team Amid Protests RFE/RL 29 Oct 2020 -- Belarus has partially closed its land borders with all neighbors except Russia for most travelers, amid strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka's efforts to end weeks of street protests against a disputed election that gave him a sixth consecutive term as president.
- Workers In Belarus Face Dismissal, Potential Arrest If They Join Anti-Government Walkout RFE/RL 29 Oct 2020 -- Inside the factory, they face the threat of dismissal by management. Outside the factory, they face the prospect of punishment at the hands of riot police.
- Belarus's Interior Minister Hints At Use Of Lethal Force As Lukashenka Likens Protests To A 'Terrorist' Threat RFE/RL 28 Oct 2020 -- Belarus's interior minister says security forces can use live fire against those participating in "sabotage or a terror attack," as weeks of protests against strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka swell into a national strike.
- Belarusian Prosecutors Mull Terrorism Charges for Some Crimes Committed During Protests Sputnik 28 Oct 2020 -- Prosecutors in Belarus are currently considering whether terrorism charges can be brought against several people for crimes committed during the wave of unsanctioned opposition protests that have swept through the country since August, Prosecutor General Andrey Shved said on Wednesday.
- High Stakes In Belarus: Will Tsikhanouskaya's National Strike Gamble Pay Off ? RFE/RL 27 Oct 2020 -- Belarusians are taking their demands for Alyaksandr Lukashenka to step down from the streets to the workplace and the classroom.
- Calls For End To Violence Against Protesters In Belarus Grow At UN As Nationwide Strike Begins RFE/RL 27 Oct 2020 -- The UN human rights investigator for Belarus has demanded that the government "stop repressing its own people," referring to thousands detained during protests against Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
- Belarus Starts Facing Terrorism Threats, Lukashenko Says Sputnik 27 Oct 2020 -- Belarus starts facing terrorism threats, President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday amId opposition forces' attempts to instigate a nationwide strike.
- Tsikhanouskaya: 'National Strike' In Belarus Has Only Just Begun RFE/RL 26 Oct 2020 -- Belarusian opposition candidate Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya says a nationwide strike to ratchet up pressure on Alyaksandr Lukashenka to step down "has only just begun and will continue to strengthen," after thousands of workers, students, and pensioners took to the streets across Belarus.
- Opposition Announces National Strike in Belarus VOA 26 Oct 2020 -- Belarus's opposition called a countrywide general strike on Monday — the latest in a series of efforts to dislodge longtime leader Alexander Lukashenko from power following what opponents say was a rigged presidential election in the former Soviet republic last August.
- Belarus: Police Use Stun Grenades to Disperse Protests VOA 25 Oct 2020 -- Police in Belarus used stun grenades Sunday to disperse protesters, who after months of demonstrations, have threatened a national strike if longtime President Alexander Lukashenko does not resign by midnight.
- Belarusian Opposition Calls National Strike For October 26 Amid More Protests RFE/RL 25 Oct 2020 -- Belarusian opposition candidate Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya has said a national strike will begin on October 26 after Alyaksandr Lukashenka's government responded with stun grenades and rubber bullets to protests against him earlier in the day.
- Belarus tells US will repel 'external threats' with Russia's help Press TV 25 Oct 2020 -- Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has warned the United States that his government is prepared, with the help of its ally Russia, to repel any external threat against the county's security.
- Lukashenka, Pompeo Speak By Phone As Belarusian Opposition Deadline Looms RFE/RL 24 Oct 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as pressure mounts on the authoritarian ruler ahead of an opposition ultimatum to end his reign or face increased nationwide protests and strikes.
- Belarusian Opposition Awarded 2020 Sakharov Prize By European Parliament RFE/RL 22 Oct 2020 -- Belarus's democratic opposition has been awarded the European Parliament's 2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.
- Belarus Labels Popular Telegram Channel 'Extremist' RFE/RL 20 Oct 2020 -- A Belarusian court has labeled a popular Telegram channel, which has been covering ongoing postelection protests in the country, as extremist.
- Tsikhanouskaya Calls On Police Officers In Belarus To 'Take People's Side' RFE/RL 20 Oct 2020 -- Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya has called on the country's law enforcement officers to join those taking part in ongoing protests against Alyaksandr Lukashenka, whose claim to power has not been recognized by Western governments.
- Marchers Keep Up Pressure For Lukashenka's Resignation As Hundreds Detained RFE/RL 19 Oct 2020 -- Several thousand retirees marched through the streets of the Belarusian capital as protesters kept up their demand for the ouster of authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
- Belarusian Police Detain More Than 90 As Protests Enter 11th Week RFE/RL 18 Oct 2020 -- Belarusian police detained more than 90 people during the latest rally to demand that authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka step down as a political standoff enters its 11th week.
- Lawyers In Belarus Face Disbarment, Arrest Just For Representing Opponents Of Lukashenka RFE/RL 17 Oct 2020 -- Hundreds of people have been detained by police in Belarus since postelection protests swept the country - and lawyers now find themselves on the defensive.
- Smaller Crowds March In Belarusian Capital; At Least 30 Reported Detained RFE/RL 17 Oct 2020 -- Dozens of women marched through Minsk's streets in the latest effort to pressure the Belarusian government and Alyaksandr Lukashenka to step aside or call new elections.
- Russia Says It Put Tsikhanouskaya On Wanted List Following Move By Belarus RFE/RL 16 Oct 2020 -- Russia says it put Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya on its wanted list in line with regional agreements after Belarus first made the move claiming she had called for overthrowing the constitutional order in the country.
- Minsk Declares Tikhanovskaya Wanted for Calls to Overthrow Constitutional Order Sputnik 16 Oct 2020 -- Belarus has put opposition politician Svetlana Tikhanovskaya on the interstate wanted list for her calls to overthrow the constitutional order, the Russian Interior Ministry told Sputnik on Friday.
- Belarus Starts Chain Reaction At Astravets Nuclear Plant RFE/RL 13 Oct 2020 -- Belarus has successfully launched the first chain reaction at Unit 1 of the Astravets nuclear power plant.
- Belarusian opposition figure threatens to call country-wide strike Press TV 13 Oct 2020 -- Belarus' opposition figure Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has threatened to call a country-wide strike unless President Alexander Lukashenko resigns.
- Belarus protests: Govt. says might use live fire against radical organized groups Press TV 13 Oct 2020 -- The situation remains tense in Belarus which has been the scene of anti-government rallies since August, with the country's Interior Ministry now threatening to use live fire against "radical" and "organized" opposition protesters.
- Belarus Opposition Demands Lukashenka Step Down Or Face National Strike RFE/RL 13 Oct 2020 -- Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya has demanded Alyaksandr Lukashenka step down in 12 days or face a nationwide strike.
- On the Exile of Catholic Archbishop Kondrusiewicz US Dept. of State 13 Oct 2020
- In Sign Of Losing Patience, EU Warns Of Sanctions For Belarus, Russia RFE/RL 12 Oct 2020 -- The European Union has warned Belarus and Russia that it is prepared to enact new sanctions against both as the bloc's largest powers signal they are running out of patience with their eastern neighbors over corruption and a lack of democracy.
- Belarus Threatens To Use Lethal Weapons On Protesters RFE/RL 12 Oct 2020 -- Belarus has threatened to fire on protesters to break up demonstrations against Alyaksandr Lukashenka, as EU foreign ministers agreed the strongman leader should be personally included on a sanctions list.
- Two Opposition Figures In Belarus Released From Jail After Meeting With Lukashenka RFE/RL 12 Oct 2020 -- Belarusian authorities have released two opposition activists after embattled Alyaksandr Lukashenka, who claims to have won the August presidential election, met with them and 10 other jailed opposition figures.
- Belarus Allows Police to Use Firearms Against Protesters VOA 12 Oct 2020 -- Belarus' government says police will now be permitted to use firearms against protesters "if need be" as demonstrations demanding the resignation of President Alexander Lukashenko continued Monday.
- Germany Calling for EU Sanctions on Belarusian President VOA 12 Oct 2020 -- Germany is calling for European Union sanctions on Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko.
- Belarus president visits opposition in jail to discuss constitutional reforms Press TV 11 Oct 2020 -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has visited opposition leaders and political activists detained in a jail in the capital, Minsk, to discuss plans for constitutional reforms, local media say.
- More Than 500 Detained In Brutal Protest Crackdown In Belarus RFE/RL 11 Oct 2020 -- Hundreds of people were detained by Belarusian security forces in Minsk on October 11 in what observers said was the most violent crackdown in weeks against protesters demanding an end to the authoritarian rule of Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
- Dozens Arrested on 10th Straight Sunday of Belarus Protests VOA 11 Oct 2020 -- Dozens of protesters in Belarus were arrested Sunday during the 10th straight weekend of demonstrations against longtime authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko.
- Lukashenka Meets With Jailed Belarusian Opposition Leaders RFE/RL 10 Oct 2020 -- Belarusian state media have reported that strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka met with jailed Belarusian opposition leaders in a detention center run by the country's KGB security service -- ostensibly to discuss plans for constitutional reforms.
- Britain Becomes Latest Country To Recall Ambassador From Belarus RFE/RL 10 Oct 2020 -- Britain has recalled its ambassador to Belarus, joining a growing number of European countries who have pulled their diplomats amid the continuing impasse over the August presidential election in Minsk.
- Rapid Change in Kyrgyzstan May Escalate Belarusian Protest Tactics VOA 09 Oct 2020 -- The effort to unseat autocratic Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko may be heading for a new phase.
- Belarus Postpones Launch Of Nuclear Plant Near Lithuania To 2022 RFE/RL 09 Oct 2020 -- Belarus says it has postponed the full launch of the first reactor at its Astravets nuclear power plant by two years to 2022.
- Belarus opposition's Tikhanovskaya added to Russia's wanted list on criminal charge Press TV 08 Oct 2020 -- Russia has placed Belarus opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya on its wanted list on "a criminal charge" stemming from her public calls to harm the country's security.
- EU Mulls Adding Lukashenka To Blacklist Over Belarusian Election, Crackdown RFE/RL 08 Oct 2020 -- The European Union stands ready to include Alyaksandr Lukashenka on its blacklist of Belarusian officials deemed responsible for electoral fraud and a brutal crackdown on protesters and opposition members, according to a draft document seen by RFE/RL.
- Bulgaria, Slovakia, Czech Republic Recall Ambassadors From Belarus RFE/RL 08 Oct 2020 -- Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia announced on October 8 that they are recalling their ambassadors from Minsk, following similar action by fellow EU countries Poland and the Baltic states over the disputed presidential election in Belarus.
- Associate Of Belarusian Opposition Leader Tsikhanouskaya Detained In Minsk RFE/RL 08 Oct 2020 -- Belarusian police say they have detained one of the associates of opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya on suspicion of committing an administrative violation.
- No Criminal Cases Against Tikhanovskaya Launched in Russia Sputnik 08 Oct 2020 -- Russia has not initiated any criminal proceedings against former Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, she is on the wanted list only under agreements with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Russian Interior Ministry said on Thursday.
- Belarusian Opposition Leader Tsikhanouskaya Calls For German, Russian Mediation As Moscow Snubs Her With Arrest Warrant RFE/RL 07 Oct 2020 -- Russia has issued an arrest warrant for Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, even as she says Moscow can play a role to mediate the political crisis in her country.
- Belarusians Ponder Slow Course Of Change After Seeing Quick Results In Kyrgyzstan RFE/RL 07 Oct 2020 -- After methodically working to bring about political change with more than eight weeks of nonviolent protests, Belarusians woke up to find their fellow postelection demonstrators in Kyrgyzstan got what they wanted in just a few hours.
- Belarusian Opposition Leader Tsikhanouskaya Meets With Germany's Merkel RFE/RL 06 Oct 2020 -- Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya is meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin in a bid to further raise international pressure on the Eastern European country's longtime ruler, Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
- Belarusian Protests Spill Off The Streets, Into The Sports Arena RFE/RL 05 Oct 2020 -- Belarus's postelection protests have entered the sports arena, but athletes who boycott competition or participate in anti-government rallies will be sidelined for awhile if the authorities have anything to say about it.
- Minsk protest turns violent; police use water cannons Press TV 04 Oct 2020 -- Thousands of Belarusian protesters have defied government warnings and flocked to the streets in the country's capital of Minsk to demand the release of jailed activists of the opposition, forcing riot police to use water cannons to disperse the demonstrators.
- Russian Military Creep In Belarus Raises Security Alarms RFE/RL 04 Oct 2020 -- Russia's support of Alyaksandr Lukashenka may come at a price that could alter the balance of power in Europe as the Kremlin flexes its military might on the eastern fringes of NATO and exacts concessions from the embattled Belarusian strongman.
- Belarus Police Use Water Cannons To Disperse Protesters RFE/RL 04 Oct 2020 -- Tens of thousands of Belarusians took to the streets in support of the country's political prisoners on October 4, the eighth weekend in a row of protests against long-time ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka.
- Minsk Subway Temporarily Shuts Downtown Stations Amid Planned Opposition Protests Sputnik 04 Oct 2020 -- Eight stations of the Minsk subway (Metro) have been temporarily closed for entry and exit amid calls by the Belarusian opposition for the country's population to stage protests on Sunday, the press department of the Belarusian capital's subway system said.
- Thousands Take to Streets of Minsk in Ongoing Protests VOA 04 Oct 2020 -- Police in Minsk, Belarus used water cannon to disperse crowds as protests against President Alexander Lukashenko continued for the ninth straight Sunday. An estimated 100,000 people took to the streets of the capital Sunday.
- Belarus Cancels Accreditations Of All Foreign Journalists Amid Protests RFE/RL 02 Oct 2020 -- The Belarusian Foreign Ministry has canceled the accreditations of all foreign journalists in the country, saying the move was made as part of a reforming of the country's regulations and procedures for the media.
- U.S., EU Slap Sanctions On Belarus Over Election, Crackdown RFE/RL 02 Oct 2020 -- The United States and EU on October 2 slapped sanctions on Belarusian officials responsible for fraud in the August presidential election and a brutal crackdown on protesters and opposition members, drawing a sharp response from Belarus and its ally Russia.
- The U.S.' Action Against Belarusian Individuals Involved in Efforts To Undermine Belarusian Democracy US Dept. of State 02 Oct 2020 -- Today, in response to the continued, brutal repression of peaceful, pro-democracy protesters in Belarus, the United States and the European Union have taken coordinated action against Belarusian individuals involved in efforts to undermine Belarusian democracy.
- Treasury Sanctions Belarus Officials for Undermining Democracy US Treasury 02 Oct 2020 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated eight individuals for their roles in the fraudulent August 9, 2020 Belarus presidential election or the subsequent violent crackdown on peaceful protesters.
- 'Three Years For A Scratch': Belarusians Sentenced To Maximum Security For Resisting Police RFE/RL 01 Oct 2020 -- When a small group of Belarusians took to the streets in late spring during an opposition solidarity rally, they got an early taste of the police violence that would follow the country's contentious August election.
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