themoscowtimes--2020-08-09--Russia's Coronavirus Cases Approach 900K

Russia confirmed 5,189 new coronavirus infections Sunday , bringing the country ’ s official number of cases to 887,536 .
@ @ @ @ @ 77 people have died , bringing the total official toll to 14,931 .
Separate figures @ @ @ @ @ s statistics agency Rosstat found that the number of deaths from the virus could be @ @ @ @ @ tally , updated daily by the country ’ s coronavirus task force .
It found @ @ @ @ @ died during June alone , with the virus confirmed or believed to be the main @ @ @ @ @ than 7,000 cases , while the task force figures showed only 4,880 for the same @ @ @ @ @ 3,215 people recovered over the last 24 hours .

The highest number of new cases were in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Russia's fatality rate has remained low compared to other badly-hit countries, raising speculation that Moscow could be underreporting figures.
Russian authorities began easing anti-virus measures in June ahead of a massive World War II military parade in Moscow and a nationwide vote on constitutional reforms that now allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in power until 2036.
Both events were initially postponed due the epidemic.
Moscow opened cinemas and theaters on Aug. 1. In the capital, masks are mandatory in stores and on public transport but not in the streets.
Several institutes in Russia are working on a coronavirus vaccine.
The Russian Defense Ministry has said it developed a "safe" vaccine following clinical trials on a group of volunteers.
The trials are ongoing, and the Defense Ministry expects clinical trials to be fully completed in the coming weeks.
AFP contributed reporting to this article.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-10--Police, Protesters Clash in Belarus Capital After Vote

Clashes broke out between police and protesters in Belarus after a presidential election on Sunday that saw longtime leader Alexander Lukashenko face the biggest challenge to his rule in years .
An official exit poll showed Lukashenko , in power since 1994 , scoring a landslide victory , but his main challenger Svetlana Tikhanovskaya immediately cast doubt on the results .
Tikhanovskaya , a 37-year-old political novice , galvanized the opposition and attracted tens of thousands of supporters to the ex-Soviet country 's biggest demonstrations in years .
Opposition supporters took to the streets of Minsk and other cities after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed that Lukashenko had won with 79.7 percent of the vote , with Tikhanovskaya in a distant second place with 6.8 percent .
Several thousand protesters gathered near a central monument in the capital Minsk , where they faced off with hundreds of riot police with shields .
A live video feed provided by US-funded Radio Liberty showed police firing stun grenades and advancing to disperse the crowd , with many fleeing .
Opposition-linked media outlets including tut.by and Nasha Niva reported clashes with police and said a police van had rammed into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also reports of water cannon and rubber bullets being fired .
The opposition had said it expected the vote to be rigged , and in a press conference after polls closed Tikhanovskaya said she did not trust results showing a victory for Lukashenko .
`` Majority is with us '' '' I believe my eyes , and I see that the majority is with us , '' she said .
`` We have already won , because we have overcome our fear , our apathy and our indifference . ''
The first official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeking a sixth term , warned the opposition he is not planning to give up his `` beloved '' Belarus as security was dramatically tightened in the capital on Sunday .

Police in Belarus broke up crowds of protesters with stun grenades and water cannon as long-time leader Alexander Lukashenko looked set to declare an overwhelming victory in a presidential poll his opponents say was rigged. Thousands of protesters took to the streets of the capital Minsk after a state exit poll showed Lukashenko winning just under 80% in Sunday's election, with main challenger Svetlana Tikhanovskaya coming second with about 7%. Tikhanovskaya, a 37-year-old stay-at-home mother and political novice, galvanized the opposition during the election campaign, attracting tens of thousands of supporters to the ex-Soviet country's biggest demonstrations in years. In the capital Minsk protesters gathered near a central monument late Sunday where they faced off with hundreds of riot police with shields, an AFP journalist and witnesses said. "I came out to protest because the country needs a change in power," said Alexander, a 35-year-old protester from Minsk. "This is a crime, a mockery of our people." A live video feed provided by U.S.-funded Radio Liberty showed police firing stun grenades and advancing to disperse the crowd, with many fleeing. The channel posted images of young protesters with their faces covered in blood.
⚡ Люди выходят по всему Минску! pic.twitter.com/w7ttXCzIBs — РБ головного мозга (@belamova) August 9, 2020
Opposition-linked media outlets reported clashes and showed a video of a police van running down a protester. Videos posted on social media showed water cannon being used and there were reports of rubber bullets being fired. After hours of chaos, state news agency Belta quoted the interior ministry as saying that "police are in control of the situation." Ales Bialiatski, the head of prominent rights group Viasna, accused police of using excessive force against the mainly young protesters. "The police responded with disproportionate harshness, using their full force," he told AFP. The opposition had said it expected Lukashenko, in power since 1994, to rig the election, and in a press conference after polls closed Tikhanovskaya said she did not trust the results. 'Majority is with us' "I believe my eyes, and I see that the majority is with us," she said. "We have already won, because we have overcome our fear, our apathy and our indifference." Lukashenko, seeking a sixth term, warned the opposition he was not planning to give up his "beloved" Belarus as security was dramatically tightened in the capital. Columns of military vehicles were seen on roads into Minsk, police carrying machine guns checked vehicles entering the city and government buildings were cordoned off. Residents also reported internet shutdowns and widespread connection problems. Tikhanovskaya, an English teacher by training, emerged as the symbol of a new protest movement against Lukashenko's rule. She decided to run for president after the authorities jailed her husband, popular blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky, and barred him from running. At polling stations on Sunday, many wore white bracelets that have become an emblem of the opposition. Tikhanovskaya wore one on each wrist.
Вот так выглядит центр Минска вечером 9 августа.
Фото: Дмитрий Брушко, https://t.co/SAPdczGoiG pic.twitter.com/ffFVONgyF7 — TUT.BY (@tutby) August 9, 2020


themoscowtimes--2020-08-09--Belarus Strongman Faces Surprise Challenge in Tense Vote

At polling stations , many wore white bracelets that have become a symbol of the opposition .
Tikhanovskaya wore one on each wrist .
Her presidential bid has sparked widespread calls for change in the ex-Soviet country of 9.5 million , which Lukashenko has ruled with an iron grip for the last 26 years .
`` I want honest elections , '' she told cheering supporters outside a polling station in Minsk .
She emerged as 65-year-old Lukashenko 's strongest rival and her rallies drew tens of thousands across the country .
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , a 37-year-old English teacher and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the authorities detained her husband , popular blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky , and barred him from running .
Belarus held tense presidential polls on Sunday with a popular woman opposition candidate posing the greatest challenge in years to long-ruling strongman Alexander Lukashenko .
`` I hope something will change , '' said Vadim Svichkarev , a 49-year-old security guard .
`` It 's very hard to be stuck in the same position for 26 years . ''
Alexander , a 47-year-old labourer , said `` people are just tired of this absurdity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ television and propaganda . ''
Tikhanovskaya , who has a 10-year-old son and five-year-old daughter , describes herself not as a politician but an `` ordinary woman , a mother and wife . ''
She accused Lukashenko of showing blatant disregard for the people during the coronavirus epidemic , which the strongman has dismissed as a hoax .
She says that if she wins she will call fresh elections to include the entire opposition .
Tikhanovskaya 's campaign office said Sunday that one of her key allies , Veronika Tsepkalo , had left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety .
Tsepkalo , whose ex-diplomat husband Valery Tsepkalo was barred from standing , and Maria Kolesnikova , campaign chief of ex-banker Viktor Babaryko who was also dropped from the polls and is in jail , joined forces with Tikhanovskaya to mount the campaign .
Photographs of the three standing together and making their signature gestures — Tikhanovskaya 's punched fist , Kolesnikova 's fingers in a heart shape and Tsepkalo 's victory sign — have become an emblem of the opposition .
The first results were expected in the evening .
Political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sixth term , would rig the vote in the absence of international observers .
He won over 83 percent at previous polls in 2015 .
A record 41.7 percent of voters took part in early voting , the central electoral commission reported .
Official turnout stood at 65 percent at 2:00 pm local time , with polls due to close at 8:00 pm ( 1700 GMT ) .
`` The elections will be falsified ; there 'll be a totally non-credible result , '' said Nigel Gould-Davies , a senior fellow at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former British ambassador to Belarus .
`` The question is what happens then . ''
In the past Lukashenko has crushed protests with riot police and hefty jail terms , prompting Western sanctions .
`` Given Lukashenko 's ruthlessness , anyone who is concerned about Belarus will worry , will fear for the Belarusian people in the days ahead , '' Gould-Davies said .
Columns of army vehicles were seen on roads into Minsk , Belarusians wrote on social media , raising the prospect of military intervention .
In tight security measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entering Minsk and government buildings were cordoned off .
Casting his vote , Lukashenko vowed to maintain order , suggesting his opponents may be planning unrest .
`` Nothing will get out of control , I guarantee you ... whatever certain people have planned , '' the strongman said in comments shown on state television .
Belarusians also reported problems with accessing websites of independent media .
'Wake up in new country' Tikhanovskaya said ahead of polls she would not call for protests but urged supporters to help Belarusians `` wake up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to vote late Sunday to help prevent election fraud , while the electoral commission warned it could restrict access to polling stations .
An independent observer group , Right of Choice , said that at least 28 of its observers had been detained and others barred from polling stations .
Lukashenko has sought to galvanise support by warning of outside threats and raising the spectre of violent mobs .
Belarus has detained 33 Russians , describing them as mercenaries sent to destabilise the vote .
The detentions sparked a political crisis with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's release and President Vladimir Putin told Lukashenko he wants Belarus to stay `` stable . ''
Lukashenko has retained close ties to Moscow , though he often plays Russia and the West against each other .
Belarus has not held polls judged free and fair since 1995 and this time Minsk has not invited observers from the European OSCE observer group for the first time since 2001 .

At polling stations, many wore white bracelets that have become a symbol of the opposition. Tikhanovskaya wore one on each wrist.
Her presidential bid has sparked widespread calls for change in the ex-Soviet country of 9.5 million, which Lukashenko has ruled with an iron grip for the last 26 years.
"I want honest elections," she told cheering supporters outside a polling station in Minsk.
She emerged as 65-year-old Lukashenko's strongest rival and her rallies drew tens of thousands across the country.
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, a 37-year-old English teacher and translator by training, stood for office after the authorities detained her husband, popular blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky, and barred him from running.
Belarus held tense presidential polls on Sunday with a popular woman opposition candidate posing the greatest challenge in years to long-ruling strongman Alexander Lukashenko.
"I hope something will change," said Vadim Svichkarev, a 49-year-old security guard. "It's very hard to be stuck in the same position for 26 years."
Alexander, a 47-year-old labourer, said "people are just tired of this absurdity, this constant stream of positive words on television and propaganda."
Tikhanovskaya, who has a 10-year-old son and five-year-old daughter, describes herself not as a politician but an "ordinary woman, a mother and wife."
She accused Lukashenko of showing blatant disregard for the people during the coronavirus epidemic, which the strongman has dismissed as a hoax.
She says that if she wins she will call fresh elections to include the entire opposition.
Tikhanovskaya's campaign office said Sunday that one of her key allies, Veronika Tsepkalo, had left for Russia out of concern for her safety.
Tsepkalo, whose ex-diplomat husband Valery Tsepkalo was barred from standing, and Maria Kolesnikova, campaign chief of ex-banker Viktor Babaryko who was also dropped from the polls and is in jail, joined forces with Tikhanovskaya to mount the campaign.
Photographs of the three standing together and making their signature gestures — Tikhanovskaya's punched fist, Kolesnikova's fingers in a heart shape and Tsepkalo's victory sign — have become an emblem of the opposition.
The first results were expected in the evening.
Tight security
Political observers predicted Lukashenko, who is seeking a sixth term, would rig the vote in the absence of international observers. He won over 83 percent at previous polls in 2015.
A record 41.7 percent of voters took part in early voting, the central electoral commission reported.
Official turnout stood at 65 percent at 2:00 pm local time, with polls due to close at 8:00 pm (1700 GMT).
"The elections will be falsified; there'll be a totally non-credible result," said Nigel Gould-Davies, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies and a former British ambassador to Belarus.
"The question is what happens then."
In the past Lukashenko has crushed protests with riot police and hefty jail terms, prompting Western sanctions.
"Given Lukashenko's ruthlessness, anyone who is concerned about Belarus will worry, will fear for the Belarusian people in the days ahead," Gould-Davies said.
Columns of army vehicles were seen on roads into Minsk, Belarusians wrote on social media, raising the prospect of military intervention.
In tight security measures, police carrying machine guns checked vehicles entering Minsk and government buildings were cordoned off.
Casting his vote, Lukashenko vowed to maintain order, suggesting his opponents may be planning unrest.
"Nothing will get out of control, I guarantee you ... whatever certain people have planned," the strongman said in comments shown on state television.
Police detained journalists including three from Russia's independent TV Rain.
Belarusians also reported problems with accessing websites of independent media.
'Wake up in new country'
Tikhanovskaya said ahead of polls she would not call for protests but urged supporters to help Belarusians "wake up in a new country."
She asked them to vote late Sunday to help prevent election fraud, while the electoral commission warned it could restrict access to polling stations.
An independent observer group, Right of Choice, said that at least 28 of its observers had been detained and others barred from polling stations.
Lukashenko has sought to galvanise support by warning of outside threats and raising the spectre of violent mobs.
Belarus has detained 33 Russians, describing them as mercenaries sent to destabilise the vote.
The detentions sparked a political crisis with ally Russia. Moscow urged the men's release and President Vladimir Putin told Lukashenko he wants Belarus to stay "stable."
Lukashenko has retained close ties to Moscow, though he often plays Russia and the West against each other.
Belarus has not held polls judged free and fair since 1995 and this time Minsk has not invited observers from the European OSCE observer group for the first time since 2001.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-09--Belarus Presidential Challenger Demands 'Honest Election'

The main opposition candidate challenging Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko demanded a fair election as she cast her ballot in the @ @ @ @ @ `` I really want the election to be honest , because if the authorities have @ @ @ @ @ all the people are for Alexander Grigoryevich ( Lukashenko ) , then we will agree @ @ @ @ @ Tikhanovskaya said as she cast her ballot in the capital Minsk .
The 37-year-old English @ @ @ @ @ has emerged as the biggest challenge in years to Lukashenko , who has ruled the @ @ @ @ @ since 1994 .
She stood for election after authorities barred her husband , popular blogger @ @ @ @ @ and then jailed him .

The main opposition candidate challenging Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko demanded a fair election as she cast her ballot in the presidential poll on Sunday.
"I really want the election to be honest, because if the authorities have nothing to fear, if all the people are for Alexander Grigoryevich (Lukashenko), then we will agree with that," Svetlana Tikhanovskaya said as she cast her ballot in the capital Minsk.
The 37-year-old English teacher and translator's campaign has emerged as the biggest challenge in years to Lukashenko, who has ruled the ex-Soviet country of 9.5 million since 1994.
She stood for election after authorities barred her husband, popular blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky, from running and then jailed him.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-10--Russian Journalists Targeted, Missing in Belarus Crackdown

Several Russian journalists have been detained , deported or have gone missing in Belarus ahead of and during Sunday ’ s highly contested presidential election .
Police detained 3,000 people for taking part in unauthorized post-election demonstrations in Minsk and other cities , the Belarusian interior ministry said in a statement Monday .
Fifty civilians and 39 police officers were injured in clashes in the capital , the ministry said as rights groups decried the harsh police crackdown that saw stun grenades and rubber bullets used against protesters .
Long-serving incumbent Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory , while his main challenger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rigged and called on him to give up power .
Here is a list of at least 11 Russian journalists who have been jailed , expelled or are still missing in Belarus following the overnight unrest : Footage showed masked men in civilian clothes pinning correspondents Polonsky and Romensky and cameraman Antipov to the ground in central Minsk on Sunday afternoon .
Russia ’ s Foreign Ministry said the journalists lacked accreditation to work in Belarus .
The opposition-leaning news channel ’ s chief editor said they had submitted the required paperwork on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their accreditation .
Polonsky , Romensky and Antipov returned to Russia after Belarusian authorities issued a deportation order against them and banned them from entering the neighboring country for the next five years .
Law enforcement officers clubbed and detained Starkov and Lasenko during the late-night clashes in Minsk , the Daily Storm reported .
The news website said it has lost all contact with Starkov and Lasenko as of early Monday .
Russian diplomats are said to be attempting to secure their release .
Daily Storm ’ s Starkov reported that authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was also covering the unrest in Minsk .
Meduza said its editors and Solopov 's family were still unable to locate him 12 hours after his reported beating .
Cameras have presumably captured Belarusian authorities dragging and detaining Pegov , who runs the popular Telegram channel WarGonzo , while he was unconscious late Sunday .
Pegov ’ s whereabouts have been unknown since then .
On Monday evening , Belarusian journalist Konstantin Pridybaylo appeared to have located Pegov in a Minsk detention center .
Pegov faces five to eight years in jail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the Baza Telegram channel .
Authorities beat and detained Oleynik when he was returning from a Minsk hospital early Monday after reporting on injured protesters .
Oleynik told RIA Novosti mid-Monday that he has been released .
Three stringers for the Russian state-run Ruptly outlet were also detained during the protests .
The Russian Union of Journalists on Monday called on the authorities to release the Russian journalists still held in Belarus .
Russia ’ s presidential human rights council urged the Russian Foreign Ministry to begin talks on releasing and @ @ @ @

Several Russian journalists have been detained, deported or have gone missing in Belarus ahead of and during Sunday’s highly contested presidential election.
Police detained 3,000 people for taking part in unauthorized post-election demonstrations in Minsk and other cities, the Belarusian interior ministry said in a statement Monday. Fifty civilians and 39 police officers were injured in clashes in the capital, the ministry said as rights groups decried the harsh police crackdown that saw stun grenades and rubber bullets used against protesters.
Long-serving incumbent Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory, while his main challenger Svetlana Tikhanovskaya said the vote had been rigged and called on him to give up power.
Here is a list of at least 11 Russian journalists who have been jailed, expelled or are still missing in Belarus following the overnight unrest:
— Vasily Polonsky, Vladimir Romensky and Nikolai Antipov, Dozhd
Footage showed masked men in civilian clothes pinning correspondents Polonsky and Romensky and cameraman Antipov to the ground in central Minsk on Sunday afternoon.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the journalists lacked accreditation to work in Belarus. The opposition-leaning news channel’s chief editor said they had submitted the required paperwork on time and were working while waiting for their accreditation.
Polonsky, Romensky and Antipov returned to Russia after Belarusian authorities issued a deportation order against them and banned them from entering the neighboring country for the next five years.
— Anton Starkov and Dmitry Lasenko, Daily Storm
Law enforcement officers clubbed and detained Starkov and Lasenko during the late-night clashes in Minsk, the Daily Storm reported.
The news website said it has lost all contact with Starkov and Lasenko as of early Monday.
Russian diplomats are said to be attempting to secure their release.
— Maxim Solopov, Meduza
Daily Storm’s Starkov reported that authorities have “badly beaten” Solopov, who was also covering the unrest in Minsk.
Meduza said its editors and Solopov's family were still unable to locate him 12 hours after his reported beating.
Update: Solopov was released from detention and returned to Russia Tuesday night, Meduza reported.
— Semyon Pegov, war correspondent
Cameras have presumably captured Belarusian authorities dragging and detaining Pegov, who runs the popular Telegram channel WarGonzo, while he was unconscious late Sunday.
Pegov’s whereabouts have been unknown since then. On Monday evening, Belarusian journalist Konstantin Pridybaylo appeared to have located Pegov in a Minsk detention center.
Pegov faces five to eight years in jail for “destabilizing the situation,” according to the Baza Telegram channel.
— Yevgeny Oleynik, Sputnik Belarus
Authorities beat and detained Oleynik when he was returning from a Minsk hospital early Monday after reporting on injured protesters.
Oleynik told RIA Novosti mid-Monday that he has been released.
Three stringers for the Russian state-run Ruptly outlet were also detained during the protests.
The Russian Union of Journalists on Monday called on the authorities to release the Russian journalists still held in Belarus. Russia’s presidential human rights council urged the Russian Foreign Ministry to begin talks on releasing and returning the journalists.
AFP contributed reporting.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-10--How the World Has Reacted to Belarus Presidential Vote

Thousands of Belarusian demonstrators were met with a violent police response on Sunday night as they protested what they said was a fraudulent election , after long-serving incumbent Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory .
Here is how the world has reacted to the disputed vote on Europe 's eastern frontier .
From Brussels , European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged Minsk `` to ensure that the votes in yesterday 's election are counted and published accurately . ''
`` Fundamental rights in Belarus must be respected , '' the former German defence minister tweeted .
Von der Leyen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , also criticised the crackdown on opposition demonstrators , saying `` harassment and violent repression of peaceful protesters has no place in Europe '' .
A separate EU statement declared that `` election night was marred with disproportionate and unacceptable state violence against peaceful protesters . ''
The EU 's largest country Germany has `` strong doubts — and from our point of view justified doubts — about the ... conduct of these elections , '' Chancellor Angela Merkel 's spokesman Steffen Seibert said .
`` Minimum standards for democratic elections were not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acceptable '' , Seibert added .
`` The numerous reports of systematic irregularities and violations of electoral law are credible ... the political leadership of the country must accept the will of its citizens , '' he said .
Belarus ' largest EU neighbor Poland called for the bloc to hold an emergency summit on the country .
`` The authorities have used force against their citizens , who are demanding change in the country .
We must support the Belarusian people in their quest for freedom , '' Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another of Belarus ' EU neighbors that also once lay east of the Iron Curtain , also backed demonstrators .
`` Protests in Belarus indicate that public opinion is not reflected in the preliminary election results , '' tweeted Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins .
`` I support Belarus people ’ s aspirations to live in a sovereign and democratic country with freedom of speech and assembly .
I call on the government to refrain from the use of force . ''
Czech Republic premier Andrej Babis called the police repression of Belarusian demonstrators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no place in current Europe . ''
`` I condemn the police violence and the brutal assault on peaceful protesters in Minsk , '' Babic tweeted .
`` These elections can not be labelled as free and democratic , '' the Czech foreign ministry said separately .
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent congratulations to Lukashenko , the Kremlin said .

Thousands of Belarusian demonstrators were met with a violent police response on Sunday night as they protested what they said was a fraudulent election, after long-serving incumbent Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory.
Here is how the world has reacted to the disputed vote on Europe's eastern frontier.
EU: 'count votes accurately'
From Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged Minsk "to ensure that the votes in yesterday's election are counted and published accurately."
"Fundamental rights in Belarus must be respected," the former German defence minister tweeted.
Von der Leyen, who heads the EU's executive arm, also criticized the crackdown on opposition demonstrators, saying "harassment and violent repression of peaceful protesters has no place in Europe."
A separate EU statement declared that "election night was marred with disproportionate and unacceptable state violence against peaceful protesters."
Germany: 'strong doubts'
The EU's largest country Germany has "strong doubts — and from our point of view justified doubts — about the... conduct of these elections," Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said.
"Minimum standards for democratic elections were not met" and this was "not acceptable", Seibert added.
"The numerous reports of systematic irregularities and violations of electoral law are credible... the political leadership of the country must accept the will of its citizens," he said.
Poland: 'quest for freedom'
Belarus' largest EU neighbor Poland called for the bloc to hold an emergency summit on the country.
"The authorities have used force against their citizens, who are demanding change in the country. We must support the Belarusian people in their quest for freedom," Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said in a statement.
Latvia: 'support Belarus people'
Latvia, another of Belarus' EU neighbors that also once lay east of the Iron Curtain, also backed demonstrators.
"Protests in Belarus indicate that public opinion is not reflected in the preliminary election results," tweeted Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins.
"I support Belarus people’s aspirations to live in a sovereign and democratic country with freedom of speech and assembly. I call on the government to refrain from the use of force."
Lithuania: 'support Belarusian people'
"The international community and EU must support Belarusian people who seek changes in their country," Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda said, adding that he backed Poland's call for an emergency EU summit.
"Citizens' rights and freedom of expression were not respected in the election," Nauseda said, calling on the government to "release all peaceful demonstrators, journalists and civil society representatives who were detained" during the campaign and election.
Czech Republic: 'not free and democratic'
Czech Republic premier Andrej Babis called the police repression of Belarusian demonstrators "a type of action that has no place in current Europe."
"I condemn the police violence and the brutal assault on peaceful protesters in Minsk," Babic tweeted.
"These elections cannot be labelled as free and democratic," the Czech foreign ministry said separately.
Sweden: 'responsibility lies with Lukashenko'
"The police has used violence against protesters in a disproportionate and unacceptable way.... The responsibility for this violent development rests with President Lukashenko and the Belarusian government," Swedish foreign minister Ann Linde said.
"The management of the presidential election follows a grim tradition of undemocratic elections in Belarus," Linde said, adding that "voting fraud seems to have been extensive."
"All cases of voter fraud and irregularities need to be independently investigated."
United States: 'deeply concerned'
The White House said Monday it is "deeply concerned" by the presidential election in Belarus and urged authorities to allow protests.
President Donald Trump's press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said that "intimidation of opposition candidates and the detention of peaceful protesters" were among numerous factors that "marred the process."
"We urge the Belarusian government to respect the right to peaceably assemble and refrain from use of force," she told reporters.
Ukraine: 'obvious not everyone agrees'
"It is already obvious that not everyone in (Belarus) agrees with the announced provisional election results," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, adding that "doubt on such a scale is a direct road to violence, conflict and growing public outcry."
"Any legitimacy arises exclusively from public trust... Only mutual understanding between all parties can preserve the country's independence and ensure its further movement towards freedom and democracy."
Russia: 'mutually beneficial relations'
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent congratulations to Lukashenko, the Kremlin said.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-10--Challenger Demands Lukashenko 'Hand Over Power' After Election Crackdown

The main challenger in Belarus 's disputed election called on President Alexander Lukashenko to give up power on Monday after a fierce police crackdown on protesters saw dozens wounded and hundreds detained .
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , whose surprise candidacy is posing the biggest challenge to the veteran leader in years , said Sunday 's presidential vote had been rigged and accused authorities of resorting to force to hold on to power .
`` The voters made their choice but the authorities did not hear us , they have broken with the people , '' Tikhanovskaya told a press conference after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rubber bullets to disperse crowds in Minsk and other cities .
`` The authorities should think about how to peacefully hand over power to us , '' she said .
`` I consider myself the winner of this election . ''
Election officials confirmed Lukashenko 's re-election to a sixth term on Monday morning , saying he had won with more than 80 % of the vote , with Tikhanovskaya coming second with just under 10 % .
The 65-year-old former collective farm boss has ruled ex-Soviet Belarus since 1994 , stamping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Europe 's last dictator . ''
European governments questioned the results of Sunday 's election , with the European Union calling for ballots to be `` accurately '' counted , Germany voicing `` strong doubts '' about the conduct of the vote and Belarus 's neighbor Poland calling for an emergency EU summit on the situation .
`` The authorities have used force against their citizens , who are demanding change in the country .
We must support the Belarusian people in their quest for freedom , '' Polish Prime Minister Mateusz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was defiant , vowing he would not allow Belarus to be `` torn apart '' and denouncing the protesters as foreign pawns .
`` We recorded calls from abroad .
There were calls from Poland , Britain and the Czech Republic , they were directing our — forgive me — sheep , '' Lukashenko told the head of an election observation delegation from ex-Soviet countries .
Tikhanovskaya , a 37-year-old stay-at-home mother and political novice , galvanized the opposition during the election campaign , attracting tens of thousands of supporters to the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took to the streets of Minsk and other cities on Sunday night to denounce the vote , sparking clashes with police saying they detained some 3,000 people , around 1,000 of them in Minsk .
Shocking images released by pro-opposition media and posted online showed police firing stun grenades and rubber bullets into the crowds and a police van ramming into the demonstration and running down a protester .
Young protesters were seen covered in blood , lying immobile on the ground or being dragged away by police .
The interior ministry said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injured in clashes in the capital , accusing some protesters of sparking confrontations .
It said protesters in Minsk had lit flares , erected barricades , scattered nails and spikes on roads and thrown objects including paving stones at police .
`` Some of the citizens taken to the country 's medical institutions were intoxicated , '' the ministry said .
`` No military weapons were used against the perpetrators . ''
It said there were `` no fatalities '' in the unrest , but prominent rights group Viasna said one young male @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head injury from being run over by a police vehicle .
The Belarusian Investigative Committee launched a criminal probe on charges of organising and participating in `` mass unrest '' -- punishable by jail terms of eight to 15 years .
Alexander , a 35-year-old protester in Minsk , accused Lukashenko of blatantly rigging the vote .
`` I came out to protest because the country needs a change in power , '' he told AFP .
`` This is a crime , a mockery of our people . ''
Tikhanovskaya decided to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her husband , popular blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky , and barred him from running .
On Sunday afternoon , huge queues formed outside polling stations in Minsk and other cities , after Tikhanovskaya urged her supporters to vote late to give authorities less chance to falsify the election .
Many wore white bracelets that have become a symbol of the opposition .
Tikhanovskaya had said that if she won she would release political prisoners and call fresh elections to include the entire opposition .
Lukashenko sought to boost his support by warning of outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mobs .
Authorities have detained 33 Russians , describing them as mercenaries sent to destabilize the vote .

The main challenger in Belarus's disputed election on Monday called on President Alexander Lukashenko to cede power but said she would not join demonstrations that have been brutally broken up by police, attracting widespread condemnation in Europe. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, whose surprise candidacy posed the biggest challenge to the veteran leader in years, said Sunday's presidential vote had been rigged and accused authorities of resorting to force to cling to power. "The voters made their choice but the authorities did not hear us," Tikhanovskaya told a press conference after police used stun grenades, water cannon and rubber bullets to disperse crowds in Minsk and other cities.
"The authorities should think about how to peacefully hand over power to us," she said. "I consider myself the winner of this election." There were calls on pro-opposition social media accounts for labour strikes and hundreds of protesters took to the streets in Minsk on Monday night. Tikhanovskaya's spokeswoman said she would not join demonstrations. "Authorities can create any provocative situation to detain her and we need her to be free," Anna Krasulina told AFP. An AFP journalist in Minsk said the area near the war memorial where protesters had gathered on Sunday had been sealed off and several central subway stations closed. Election officials confirmed Lukashenko's re-election to a sixth term on Monday morning, saying he had won more than 80% of the vote, with Tikhanovskaya coming second with 10%. The 65-year-old former collective farm boss has ruled ex-Soviet Belarus since 1994, stamping out dissent and earning the nickname of "Europe's last dictator." EU sanctions warning European governments questioned the results, with Germany voicing "strong doubts" about the conduct of the vote and France urging restraint. Britain said the election was "seriously flawed" and urged authorities to "refrain from further acts of violence," while Belarus's neighbor Poland called for an emergency EU summit on the situation. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said that after having previously lifted sanctions on Belarus, the EU should review "whether this can still be valid in the light of the past weeks and days." But Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Lukashenko, a longtime ally, as did Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Lukashenko was defiant, vowing he would not allow Belarus to be "torn apart" and denouncing the protesters as foreign pawns. "We recorded calls from abroad. There were calls from Poland, Britain and the Czech Republic, they were directing our — forgive me — sheep," Lukashenko told the head of an election observation delegation from ex-Soviet countries. Tikhanovskaya, a 37-year-old stay-at-home mother and political novice, attracted tens of thousands of supporters to the country's biggest demonstrations in years. Thousands took to the streets of Minsk and other cities on Sunday night to denounce the vote, sparking clashes with members of law enforcement.
news Belarus Strongman Faces Surprise Challenge in Tense Vote Read more


themoscowtimes--2020-08-10--Crimea Races to Recruit Doctors as Coronavirus Cases Double

New daily cases in August , averaging 29.3 so far , are two to three times higher than the peninsula ’ s reported cases in June , the Kommersant business daily reported Monday .
Russia ’ s Covid-19 crisis center has officially confirmed 1,469 infections there since the start of the pandemic .
Russian-annexed Crimea has stepped up efforts to hire more doctors to staff its overwhelmed hospitals amid a resurgence of new coronavirus cases in the popular Black Sea holiday destination .
An ad placed on the Crimean health department ’ s website Saturday says “ doctors of any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work in a hospital for patients with the novel coronavirus infection.
” The new hospital is scheduled to open Monday with 98 beds and 12 ICUs .
Current employees questioned its ability to handle new patients given Crimea ’ s severe shortage of medical personnel .
“ Can you imagine the scale of the problem if officials put out ads looking for medical professionals ?
” an unnamed healthcare worker told Kommersant .
The Russian-backed local administration told Kommersant that Crimea is short 500 doctors and 1,500 nurses to tackle the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called on Russians to avoid visiting the Black Sea peninsula at the height of the outbreak in April .
Crimea was among more than 70 Russian regions to lift restrictions for incoming domestic tourists in July .
Almost 1.5 million people visited the peninsula that month .
Russia has the world ’ s fourth-largest number of Covid-19 cases , with 892,654 infections officially confirmed since March .

New daily cases in August, averaging 29.3 so far, are two to three times higher than the peninsula’s reported cases in June, the Kommersant business daily reported Monday. Russia’s Covid-19 crisis center has officially confirmed 1,469 infections there since the start of the pandemic.
Russian-annexed Crimea has stepped up efforts to hire more doctors to staff its overwhelmed hospitals amid a resurgence of new coronavirus cases in the popular Black Sea holiday destination.
An ad placed on the Crimean health department’s website Saturday says “doctors of any specialty and nurses anesthetists are urgently needed to work in a hospital for patients with the novel coronavirus infection.”
The new hospital is scheduled to open Monday with 98 beds and 12 ICUs. Current employees questioned its ability to handle new patients given Crimea’s severe shortage of medical personnel.
“Can you imagine the scale of the problem if officials put out ads looking for medical professionals?” an unnamed healthcare worker told Kommersant.
The Russian-backed local administration told Kommersant that Crimea is short 500 doctors and 1,500 nurses to tackle the new cases.
Crimea’s Moscow-backed leader called on Russians to avoid visiting the Black Sea peninsula at the height of the outbreak in April.
Crimea was among more than 70 Russian regions to lift restrictions for incoming domestic tourists in July. Almost 1.5 million people visited the peninsula that month.
Russia has the world’s fourth-largest number of Covid-19 cases, with 892,654 infections officially confirmed since March.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-10--'The People Have Been Insulted': Russia Reacts to Belarus Presidential Vote, Unrest

Police broke up crowds of protesters with stun grenades and rubber bullets in Minsk and other cities Sunday evening .
One protester was killed and dozens wounded in the chaos , a prominent rights group said Monday .
Massive clashes broke out overnight in Belarus as thousands of protesters disputed presidential election results that showed long-serving leader Alexander Lukashenko winning with an overwhelming majority of votes .
Lukashenko won a sixth term with 80.23 % of the vote , the country ’ s central electoral commission said Monday following the clashes .
Central electoral commission chief Lidia Yermoshina said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenger Svetlana Tikhanovskaya won 9.9 % , citing a preliminary count .
Russia has closely followed its western neighbor ’ s tense election , with President Vladimir Putin stressing Moscow 's `` interest in retaining a stable domestic political situation in Belarus . ''
Here ’ s an overview of how Russian state-run media and officials have reacted to Sunday ’ s events : “ The queues outside polling stations stretched for kilometers .
These weren ’ t people desperate to vote for the authorities .
Queueing up here were people hoping for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to meager salaries and [ for ] everything that ’ s unknown but new.
” “ But , condescendingly , they were thrown a bone of 6 % [ of ballots cast for Tikhanovskaya , according to preliminary exit polls ] .
The people have been insulted [ ... ] The president of Belarus , guarding his ‘ 80 % ’ with bayonets , will face difficulties .
He has to find a way to explain what happened on Aug. 9.
” “ Protests began in many cities after the polls closed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ exit poll results .
The rally in central Minsk ended in mass clashes .
Law enforcement attempted to stop the riots peacefully by reinforcing units , blocking central areas and calling on everyone to disperse.
” “ In the end , they used water cannons , stun grenades and pepper spray to disperse the crowd .
There were injuries and detentions.
” “ Unauthorized actions started in the center of the Belarusian capital .
There was quite a large gathering last night close to 10 p.m. [ … ] The interior ministry spokeswoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers were forced to use special means against rioters.
” “ Special equipment and stun grenades were used .
There were detentions , stepped-up security measures in the city , the situation is under control [ ... ] It ’ s morning now and the streets are almost empty.
” “ [ Tikhanovskaya ] refused to acknowledge her defeat , saying results from three polling stations where ‘ there were no falsifications ’ showed that she was actually winning .
This sentiment was clearly shared by many in the capital as angry protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in other cities throughout the country.
” — Channel One , Russia ’ s largest broadcaster , made no mention of the overnight clashes in an early Monday segment announcing the Belarus vote results .
“ I express solidarity with all those who were subjected to repression in Belarus [ ... ] They should be released.
” “ The voters have already withdrawn their confidence in Lukashenko .
The fate of [ former Ukrainian President Viktor ] Yanukovych awaits Alexander Grigoryevich.
” “ The demonstrations were clearly provocative and don ’ t say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote ] .
” “ There were no complications .
The republic ’ s authorities worked very quickly and diligently .
The Maidan [ overthrow ] attempt has failed .
”

Police broke up crowds of protesters with stun grenades and rubber bullets in Minsk and other cities Sunday evening. One protester was killed and dozens wounded in the chaos, a prominent rights group said Monday.
Massive clashes broke out overnight in Belarus as thousands of protesters disputed presidential election results that showed long-serving leader Alexander Lukashenko winning with an overwhelming majority of votes.
Lukashenko won a sixth term with 80.23% of the vote, the country’s central electoral commission said Monday following the clashes. Central electoral commission chief Lidia Yermoshina said in televised comments that the strongman's main challenger Svetlana Tikhanovskaya won 9.9%, citing a preliminary count.
Russia has closely followed its western neighbor’s tense election, with President Vladimir Putin stressing Moscow's "interest in retaining a stable domestic political situation in Belarus."
Here’s an overview of how Russian state-run media and officials have reacted to Sunday’s events:
— Komsomolskaya Pravda, pro-Kremlin tabloid:
“The queues outside polling stations stretched for kilometers. These weren’t people desperate to vote for the authorities. Queueing up here were people hoping for change in Belarus, for an end to meager salaries and [for] everything that’s unknown but new.”
“But, condescendingly, they were thrown a bone of 6% [of ballots cast for Tikhanovskaya, according to preliminary exit polls]. The people have been insulted [...] The president of Belarus, guarding his ‘80%’ with bayonets, will face difficulties. He has to find a way to explain what happened on Aug. 9.”
— NTV, pro-Kremlin broadcaster:
“Protests began in many cities after the polls closed. Opposition members said they disagree with the exit poll results. The rally in central Minsk ended in mass clashes. Law enforcement attempted to stop the riots peacefully by reinforcing units, blocking central areas and calling on everyone to disperse.”
“In the end, they used water cannons, stun grenades and pepper spray to disperse the crowd. There were injuries and detentions.”
— Rossia 24, state-run news network:
“Unauthorized actions started in the center of the Belarusian capital. There was quite a large gathering last night close to 10 p.m. […] The interior ministry spokeswoman said in the morning that law enforcement officers were forced to use special means against rioters.”
“Special equipment and stun grenades were used. There were detentions, stepped-up security measures in the city, the situation is under control [...] It’s morning now and the streets are almost empty.”
— RT, Kremlin-funded network:
“[Tikhanovskaya] refused to acknowledge her defeat, saying results from three polling stations where ‘there were no falsifications’ showed that she was actually winning. This sentiment was clearly shared by many in the capital as angry protesters gathered in the center of Minsk and in other cities throughout the country.”
— Channel One, Russia’s largest broadcaster, made no mention of the overnight clashes in an early Monday segment announcing the Belarus vote results.
— Vladimir Zhirinovsky, lawmaker and far-right party leader:
“I express solidarity with all those who were subjected to repression in Belarus [...] They should be released.”
“The voters have already withdrawn their confidence in Lukashenko. The fate of [former Ukrainian President Viktor] Yanukovych awaits Alexander Grigoryevich.”
— Oleg Melnichenko, Russian senator and election observer:
“The demonstrations were clearly provocative and don’t say anything about the unreliability [of the vote].”
“There were no complications. The republic’s authorities worked very quickly and diligently. The Maidan [overthrow] attempt has failed.”
AFP contributed reporting.


themoscowtimes--2020-08-10--Protester Killed, Dozens Arrested in Belarus Unrest – Rights Group

The Viasna Human Rights Center said the young male protester suffered a traumatic head injury when he was hit by a police vehicle and medics were unable to save him .
A protester was killed and dozens wounded when police in Belarus used stun grenades , rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse demonstrators disputing election results , a prominent rights group said on Monday .
Viasna representative Sergey Sys told AFP that more than 300 people had been arrested on Sunday , including more than 150 in the capital Minsk .
`` Dozens of people were wounded as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ten of them were taken to hospitals , '' he said .
Police in Belarus detained some 3,000 people for taking part in the unauthorized gatherings , the interior ministry said , accusing some protesters of sparking clashes with police .
The ministry said in a statement that 1,000 of the detentions were in the capital Minsk and the rest in other parts of the country .
It said protesters in Minsk had lit flares , erected barricades and thrown objects at police .
Fifty civilians and 39 police officers were injured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , denying there were any deaths .
Long-serving Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko won a sixth term in Sunday 's election with 80.23 % of the vote , the central electoral commission said Monday , a result the opposition says was rigged .
His main challenger , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , won 9.9 % , central electoral commission chief Lidia Yermoshina said .
Tikhanovskaya rejected the results and demanded authorities transfer power to the opposition .
`` Yesterday the voters made their choice but the authorities did not hear us , they have broken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a news conference Monday .
She also denounced authorities for the crackdown , saying police had used `` disproportionate measures '' against protesters and called disruptions to the internet `` a crime . ''

The Viasna Human Rights Center said the young male protester suffered a traumatic head injury when he was hit by a police vehicle and medics were unable to save him.
A protester was killed and dozens wounded when police in Belarus used stun grenades, rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse demonstrators disputing election results, a prominent rights group said on Monday.
Update: The protester who was previously reported to have been killed has survived, Reuters reported .
Viasna representative Sergey Sys told AFP that more than 300 people had been arrested on Sunday, including more than 150 in the capital Minsk.
"Dozens of people were wounded as a result of clashes with law enforcement agencies. Ten of them were taken to hospitals," he said.
Police in Belarus detained some 3,000 people for taking part in the unauthorized gatherings, the interior ministry said, accusing some protesters of sparking clashes with police.
The ministry said in a statement that 1,000 of the detentions were in the capital Minsk and the rest in other parts of the country.
It said protesters in Minsk had lit flares, erected barricades and thrown objects at police. Fifty civilians and 39 police officers were injured in clashes in the capital, it said, denying there were any deaths.
Long-serving Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko won a sixth term in Sunday's election with 80.23% of the vote, the central electoral commission said Monday, a result the opposition says was rigged. His main challenger, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, won 9.9%, central electoral commission chief Lidia Yermoshina said.
Tikhanovskaya rejected the results and demanded authorities transfer power to the opposition.
"Yesterday the voters made their choice but the authorities did not hear us, they have broken with the people," she told a news conference Monday.
She also denounced authorities for the crackdown, saying police had used "disproportionate measures" against protesters and called disruptions to the internet "a crime."