Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

What's happened in Belarus since last year's protests against president Alexander Lukashenko?

Yesterday’s incident was the latest in a series of crackdowns against the country’s opposition.

russian-president-putin-meets-with-belarus-president-lukashenko Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko with Vladimir Putin Kremlin Pool / PA Kremlin Pool / PA / PA

THE ARREST OF an opponent of Belarus’ president Alexander Lukashenko has put the country and its leader in the headlines again, months after historic demonstrations in the country made international news.

The opposition in Belarus and western officials have denounced yesterday’s incident, which led to the arrest of Raman Pratasevich following a hijacking operation by the country’s government.

Pratasevich was on board a Ryanair flight from Athens to the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius when the plane changed course unexpectedly and landed in Minsk.

He is a co-founder of the Telegram messaging app’s Nexta channel, which officials in Belarus last year declared as extremist after it was used to help organise major protests against Lukashenko.

The protests have dwindled in recent months, but Belarus authorities are continuing to stamp their authority on the country’s opposition.

Yesterday’s incident – which was criticised by politicians across Europe – was just the latest in a series of crackdowns against dissent in the country since last year’s protests.

Autumn of discontent

Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron fist since 1994, won his sixth term in office after secured 80% of the country’s vote in an election last August.

In the immediate aftermath, supporters of opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and some poll workers claimed the election was riddled with fraud and rejected the results.

But Lukashenko refused to step down, leading to mass protests across the country and demonstrations which drew up to 200,000 people.

A harsh crackdown followed: Tikhanovskaya fled to neighbouring Lithuania and more than 34,000 people have been arrested in the months since.

Police have used stun grenades, tear gas and truncheons to disperse the rallies and several protesters have been killed, with hundreds more sentenced to lengthy prison terms.

Lukashenko has turned to Russia for help, while the US and the EU have responded to the crackdown on protests by introducing sanctions against Belarusian officials.

svetlana-tikhanovskaya-at-eu-headquarters-brussels Svetlana Tikhanovskaya holds up a photograph as she addresses members of the EU parliament Monasse Thierry / ANDBZ/PA Images Monasse Thierry / ANDBZ/PA Images / ANDBZ/PA Images

Journalists targeted

The protests gradually died down during the winter, but Belarus has continued to take action to stifle dissent – including against independent media in the country.

In February, Lukashenko denounced opposition to his rule as a foreign-directed “rebellion” and claimed “very powerful forces” abroad were behind the protests.

A fresh clampdown on opponents followed a week later, with raids in the homes and offices of journalists, rights defenders and trade unions.

The independent Tut.by news website became a particular target for the government, following its coverage of the widespread demonstrations in the country

In March, journalist Katerina Borisevich was found guilty (alongside a doctor) of “disclosing medical records” after Tut.by published information about a former soldier who died from head injuries he received during a protest.

And just last week, 11 staff members of Tut.by were detained by police after the website had its press credentials removed for covering the protests.

Protests also sprang up again as the winter thawed. Over 100 people, including five journalists, were detained in late March when demonstrators planned a “second wave” of demonstrations.

That came after opposition supporters in the capital Minsk planned on gathering, but were prevented from doing so by police.

belarus-protests Katsiaryna Barysevich holds flowers after being released from prison AP / PA Images AP / PA Images / PA Images

EU sanctions

Although international criticism had waned somewhat before Sunday’s Ryanair incident, steps had been taken to punish the Belarusian government’s crackdown on last year’s demonstrations.

Earlier this year, EU member states voted to impose further sanctions against Lukashenko’s regime over how it has handled the protests.

Asset freezes and visa bans have been placed on 88 people tied to the repression – including Lukashenko and his son – which will last until at least next year.

Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who has been placed on a wanted list for “preparing mass unrest”, has also met with leaders and foreign ministers of some Western countries which have refused to recognise results of last year’s vote.

Belarus has requested her extradition to face prosecution for “crimes against the governing order” – charges that Tikhanovskaya denies. 

In response, Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said his country “has been and will be a brick wall behind which all democratic forces persecuted by regimes will find refuge”.

“We can say only one thing to the Belarusian regime: hell will first have to freeze over before we consider your requests,” he said.

The criticism has spread further afield too, with the US also imposing sanctions and the UN voting in favour of a resolution that was critical of Lukashenko’s government and its response to the protests.

With reporting from Press Association and © AFP 2021

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
Our Explainer articles bring context and explanations in plain language to help make sense of complex issues. We're asking readers like you to support us so we can continue to provide helpful context to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.

Close
4 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seymour business
    Favourite Seymour business
    Report
    Feb 28th 2017, 8:36 PM

    Always seemed to me to be genuinely committed to getting to the truth. Rare enough in big party politics.

    209
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Randal McNally
    Favourite Randal McNally
    Report
    Feb 28th 2017, 11:50 PM

    Rare ? You mean “Never Seen” !

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute MuckyMoo
    Favourite MuckyMoo
    Report
    Feb 28th 2017, 8:35 PM

    RIP. One of the good guys in politics

    216
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Euro is Dead
    Favourite Euro is Dead
    Report
    Feb 28th 2017, 9:48 PM

    Cometh the hour, Cometh the man. He will be sorely missed. Ar Dheis De go Raibh a Anam

    91
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Willie Bill Bryan
    Favourite Willie Bill Bryan
    Report
    Feb 28th 2017, 8:51 PM

    One of the good ones RIP Peter

    137
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John McGuirk
    Favourite John McGuirk
    Report
    Feb 28th 2017, 8:44 PM

    This is a beaufifully written obituary. I’m always first to criticise the Journal when it gets it wrong, but this is a great piece of Journalism. Well done Orla Ryan.

    141
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Daly
    Favourite Tony Daly
    Report
    Feb 28th 2017, 8:37 PM

    He was well intentioned, principled, noble, decent and fair minded.

    He saw through thevdysfunctionality and malgovernance of the Banks, as well as the deleterious effect of the banking abuses on society.

    149
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Charlie Wrex
    Favourite Charlie Wrex
    Report
    Feb 28th 2017, 9:01 PM

    Always struck me as a man of principle, good humour, and great insight. One of the good guys.

    117
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean @114
    Favourite Sean @114
    Report
    Feb 28th 2017, 9:27 PM

    His tussles with Vincent Brown were legendary. RIP.

    94
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Emmet O'Keeffe
    Favourite Emmet O'Keeffe
    Report
    Feb 28th 2017, 9:21 PM

    Always managed to get right under Vincent Browne’s skin.

    84
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick j Brady
    Favourite Patrick j Brady
    Report
    Feb 28th 2017, 9:27 PM

    RIP….a man of principles. . Called it as it was…. sadly not many td’s like him…

    73
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute FlopFlipU
    Favourite FlopFlipU
    Report
    Feb 28th 2017, 9:25 PM

    A good apple in a barrel of bad ones rip

    70
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Lane
    Favourite Paul Lane
    Report
    Feb 28th 2017, 10:13 PM

    A genuinly good guy, albeit I disagreed with a lot he had to say, but he was always very brave on Vincent Browne and sadly missed. What a loss

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sparxz1
    Favourite Sparxz1
    Report
    Feb 28th 2017, 9:58 PM

    No place in Lenster house for Men of High Calibre and noble principle !
    The Face of Kenny & so-called Dr O’Reilly laughing at dying man(he had already being diagnosed).
    I wonder how many are thinking today, that Lenister house cannot be reformed, & will have to be abolished to some how save the Irish Nation.

    56
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmuid Doran
    Favourite Diarmuid Doran
    Report
    Feb 28th 2017, 9:43 PM

    Nice tribute Orla.

    52
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Phil O'Donnell
    Favourite Phil O'Donnell
    Report
    Feb 28th 2017, 10:31 PM

    Sincere condolences to your family and friends. Would not have agreed with you on all policies but was a huge admirer. In my opinion a person of hige integrity and in politics for all the right reasons. R.I.P..

    52
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kerry Blake
    Favourite Kerry Blake
    Report
    Feb 28th 2017, 8:44 PM

    “Kenny said he was “deeply saddened” by Mathews’ death” hypocrite…..

    108
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Rick Jones
    Favourite Mick Rick Jones
    Report
    Mar 13th 2017, 7:42 PM

    @Kerry Blake: your comment is spot on, and can be extended to others in Fine Gael and Labour leadership , who drove Matthews and other decent people of conscience, out of the Dail.

    Their hypocrisy extends along the Fine Gael front bench, to Labour as well. No room for conscience on abortion there.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute the truth
    Favourite the truth
    Report
    Feb 28th 2017, 10:51 PM

    struck me as a genuine fella who wanted to make a difference then realised he hadn’t a hope of being allowed do anything .

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noel Holland
    Favourite Noel Holland
    Report
    Feb 28th 2017, 10:42 PM

    RIP peter mathews. That u tube video is worth a watch….

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Randal McNally
    Favourite Randal McNally
    Report
    Feb 28th 2017, 11:48 PM

    Yes. He asked the hard questions and got few answers from our “Closed Ranked” political and unaccountable civil service parasites ! RIP

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aindriú Purfield
    Favourite Aindriú Purfield
    Report
    Mar 1st 2017, 3:57 AM

    Noonan knows nothing about Economics or Finance.

    He’s just a perfect lackey for the ECB and the eurogroup and that is why he was put where he was.

    History has already absolved honest and intelligent politicians like Matthews and shown up Noonan and Kenny for the slimy subhuman worms that they are.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Kelly
    Favourite William Kelly
    Report
    Mar 1st 2017, 8:11 AM

    Our electoral system yields up some TDs of quality, who stand out from the party foot soldiers as professional, & strong in character, & who genuinely seem intent on contributing to building a better society. Mr. Mathews was one that few, but the stultified & whipped party system failed to recognise & give scope for that powerful intellectual commitment to the community. That his challenges to the “system” we’re smothered by his own party is yet another bad reflection on their recent form.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eoghan Pettit
    Favourite Eoghan Pettit
    Report
    Mar 1st 2017, 12:05 PM

    He was thoughtful, reasonable, well spoken and his own man. Very sad for his family. RIP

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute KerryBlueMike
    Favourite KerryBlueMike
    Report
    Mar 1st 2017, 10:21 PM

    Rip Peter, you did well sir.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Rick Jones
    Favourite Mick Rick Jones
    Report
    Mar 13th 2017, 7:37 PM

    Peter Matthews bravely, with a few others, opposed the Kenny/Labour abortion bill in 2013..

    Like Lucinda Creighton, B Timmons,T Flanagan — all Fine Gael TDs, driven from Fine Gael and the Dail, shamefully refused a free, conscientious vote — Peter Matthews, for his honest principles and stand aginst abortion, was also driven out of Fine Gael, for upholding their election promise not to legalise abortion.

    I hope none of the Fine Gael/Labour pro abortion hierarchy, who refused him and others that free vote of conscience on abortion, show their shameful faces at his funeral, or insult his decent memory now, with their customary crocodile tears of condolence.

    In 2013, we saw how they treated him and others.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      News in 60 seconds