Michael Pompeo
In the United States for the first time commented on presidential elections in Belarus and called them neither free nor fair. This is stated in the statement of US state Secretary Michael Pompeo, reports TASS.
“The U.S. is deeply concerned about the presidential elections in Belarus”, — stated in the text. Also points to serious limitations on the admission of candidates, the prohibition of the admission of local independent observers to the areas, intimidation of opposition candidates, detention of protesters and journalists.
The United States urged the Belarusian authorities to respect the rights of citizens to peaceful Assembly and to refrain from using force. Washington also condemned “the ongoing violence against protesters and detention of opposition supporters”, as well as blocking the Internet “for preventing the spread of Belarusian citizens to information”.
In Belarus for the second day, there are street clashes between security forces and protesters, unhappy with the results of the presidential elections on 9 August. According to exit polls, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko gained more than 80 percent of the vote, the opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovski — less than 10 percent. During street clashes used machinery, water cannons, stun grenades, rubber bullets, involved military forces. Detained about three thousand people, dozens injured. Lukashenko has accused the opposition that the organizers of the protests “needed sacred sacrifice”.
