Lukashenko ignored Tikhanovskaya's ultimatum: US asks Americans to leave Belarus

On Saturday, October 24, the US Embassy in Belarus notified the Americans on the country's territory of the need to exercise increased vigilance against potential rallies, meetings, protests and demonstrations in the Republic of Belarus after October 25 - the deadline for the "People's Ultimatum" presented to the President countries to Alexander Lukashenko by opposition forces. Details told the publication "Voice of America".

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October 13, the leader of the Belarusian opposition Svetlana Tikhanovskaya presented a "People's ultimatum" to Alexander Lukashenko with an appeal to Minsk to fulfill certain requirements no later than October 25. If the requirements were not met, Tikhanovskaya warned Lukashenka about the consequences - protests, strikes, blocking traffic and other measures.

“State security forces and protesters may use force during protests, demonstrations, rallies and other similar public gatherings,” the embassy said in a statement.

The diplomatic mission called on US citizens to avoid public demonstrations and to be aware that “gatherings designed to be peaceful can quickly escalate into confrontation and violence. In addition, these actions could cause disruptions in public transport, traffic delays, street closures, and increased police presence around rallies, ”the statement said.

The diplomats recommended that the citizens of the United States stock up on food, drinking water, medicine, cash and other essentials for at least three days, and also consider leaving Belarus, including by land or plane.

Ignoring the "ultimatum" and rallies

The deadline for fulfilling the ultimatum expired on October 26. Lukashenko, who ruled Belarus for 26 years, ignored the opposition ultimatum demanding to resign, writes "Voice of America".

Local activists posted videos and photos on social media on the Internet that students at a number of universities were refusing to lecture and workers were protesting at some factories.

Media outlets say it was hard to gauge how widespread the strike was at the start of the day.

On the subject: 'I sat out, but I won't just leave': Lukashenko spoke about the situation in Belarus, Putin and Poroshenko

The state Belarusian media claimed that all large enterprises were working.

Mass demonstrations against Lukashenka took place in Belarus on Sunday, and opposition sources reported the use of force by the police against peaceful protesters and the detention of more than 200 people.

“The regime has again shown Belarusians that force is the only thing it is capable of. That is why a national strike begins on October 26,” said a statement on behalf of Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who was a candidate in the presidential elections in Belarus and became the leader of the opposition movement.

The reaction of the world

The US, EU and UK and Canada have imposed sanctions against prominent representatives of the Belarusian authorities, accusing the Lukashenka regime of electoral fraud and human rights violations.

However, in neighboring Russia, President Vladimir Putin congratulated Alexander Lukashenko on his victory and facilitated the allocation of a $ 1,5 billion loan to Belarus.

Earlier, Putin also announced his readiness to send specially created power units to support the authorities in Minsk.

Last week Belarus was visited by the head of Russian foreign intelligence, Sergei Naryshkin, who repeated Moscow's accusations that Belarus is allegedly being deliberately destabilized by the United States and other Western states, as well as Ukraine.

As ForumDaily wrote earlier:

• In Belarus, on Sunday, August 9, the presidential elections were held, which were initially accompanied by mass protests of people who disagreed with the policies of the current president, Alexander Lukashenko, who has been ruling the country for 26 years. After the announcement of the results protests erupted with renewed vigor, many disagree and doubt their veracity.
• Thousands of people gathered to protest against falsification of elections in Belarus. They are beaten and dispersed by the security forces. One person died... Svetlana Tihanovskaya left the country.
• On August 12, the European Union and the United States announced that the presidential elections in Belarus on August 9, in which the incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko was declared the winner, were neither free nor fair... The EU and the US plan to impose new sanctions against Minsk.
• August 12 police officers opened fire to kill the protesters.
• 12 August women in different cities of the country formed living chains and sang lullabies near the monuments. TV presenters were fired from state channels, and military personnel and police officers threw uniforms and insignia into garbage cans.
• How detained protesters are bullied in Belarus, read in our material.
• For those affected by the protests already raised over two million dollars... At the same time, the money is collected through the personal Facebook of the campaign organizer, and there will be no detailed reporting on payments. But this is the only working scheme for Belarus - otherwise the fundraisers may be jailed.
• August 16, Minsk hosted the largest political protest in the history of Belarus - hundreds of thousands of people came out under white-red-white flags. The “Freedom March”, as the opposition called its action, took place immediately after the rally in support of President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.
• On August 19, a coordinating council of the opposition, created by supporters of Svetlana Tikhanovskaya for the transfer of power in the country, began work in Belarus. Alexander Lukashenko called the creation of the council an attempt to seize power and threatened with harsh measures.
• September 23 Lukashenko held a secret inauguration and took office as President of Belarus.
• Both the US and the EU refused to consider Alexander Lukashenko the legally elected president Belarus
• October 13, the leader of the Belarusian opposition Svetlana Tikhanovskaya announced a “people's ultimatum” to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenkowhich expires on 25 October.

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