'Europe's Last Dictator' Orders Mass Arrests of Opposition Before January Elections

‘Europe’s Last Dictator’ Orders Mass Arrests of Opposition Before January Elections

Last updated: November 7, 2024 3:39 pm

(Minsk) – Belarus is facing a renewed wave of repression as President Alexander Lukashenko tightens his control ahead of the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for January 26, 2024. The crackdown, which began last Thursday, has resulted in the arrest of more than 100 individuals across various cities, according to reports from the Viasna human rights center. These arrests are primarily targeting individuals involved in online chat groups, which were originally created by residents for everyday communication about issues like maintenance and communal services. The government has now labeled these groups as part of an “extremist” network.

The situation in Belarus is not new. In 2020, following a disputed election, widespread protests erupted across the country, accusing Lukashenko of rigging the election results. These protests were met with a harsh government response, leading to the arrest of approximately 65,000 demonstrators. Since then, Lukashenko has implemented a broad and ongoing campaign to silence opposition, imprisoning key political figures or forcing them into exile. At present, there are around 1,300 political prisoners in Belarusian detention centers, many of whom have reportedly been denied medical care and the ability to communicate with their families.

The latest round of arrests follows the government’s decision to label certain online groups as part of a supposed extremist movement. These groups had previously played a significant role in organizing opposition protests, especially after the contested 2020 election. The authorities now claim that these groups are involved in organizing a “conspiracy to seize power,” a charge that could lead to up to 15 years in prison for those detained.

Human rights organizations, such as Viasna, have condemned the government’s actions as part of a broader strategy to intimidate opposition ahead of the elections. Pavel Sapelka, a representative from Viasna, referred to the wave of arrests as a “planned action of intimidation” designed to suppress dissent before the vote. Despite this, Lukashenko’s regime has allowed seven politicians loyal to him to begin gathering signatures for the upcoming elections, giving the appearance of political competition, although two opposition candidates have been denied the same opportunity.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled opposition leader who challenged Lukashenko in 2020, has called on the international community to respond to the latest crackdown. Tsikhanouskaya described the wave of arrests as a reflection of the “atmosphere of terror” surrounding the upcoming elections. She urged Belarusian citizens to vote against all candidates, a stance that highlights the lack of genuine political freedom in the country.

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