Belarus protests: Demonstrator 'in intensive care' after clashes over controversial election

Violence beginning to break out on streets of capital after autocrat extends rule

At least one protester is reportedly in critical condition in hospital and more than 100 arrested following clashes between police and demonstrators after the Belarus presidential election.

Protests have sprung up in the capital Minsk ever since a state-run TV exit poll suggested autocratic leader Alexander Lukashenko had secured re-election and extended his 26-year rule in the Eastern European nation.

The official results announced on Monday claimed the president won 80 per cent of the vote, while the main opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanouskaya only secured 9.9 per cent.

Videos on social media have shown extensive violent clashes between protesters and the security forces, with tear gas, rubber bullets, flash grenades and water cannon used to try and disperse crowds of Belarusians angry at what they believe was another rigged vote.

Valentin Stefanovic, from the human rights advocacy group Spring 96, earlier told the Reuters one person had been killed after a police van rammed into a demonstrator in Minsk. Yet opposition media in Belarus have reported the protester remains in intensive care in hospital.

A video circulating on social media by protesters in Belarus appears to show the moment a vehicle, which cannot be clearly identified, runs over someone in the midst of tear gas explosions.

Mr Stefanovic also suggested about 120 people had been detained so far, according to his organisation’s initial data.

Pro-regime forces not wearing uniforms have also been filmed running into the crowds and beating people up, sometimes dragging them into unmarked vans before driving away.

Several journalists, including some reporting for Western outlets, have been attacked and detained.

Outside of the capital Minsk, protests have also broken out in cities including Brest, Gomel, Grodno and Vitebsk, where riot police have also tried to force people off the streets.

Ms Tsikhanouskaya, who only ran for office after her husband was arrested, has claimed the election result was rigged in favour of Mr Lukashenko and declared “I will believe with my own eyes. The majority was for us”.

Support for the opposition candidate had soared ahead of the vote as younger Belarusians grew frustrated at economic stagnation and Mr Lukashenko’s dismissive approach to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ahead of casting her own ballot, the former teacher said she hoped the police would refrain from attacking her supporters, but the incumbent president had vowed retribution for those who opposed him.

As he voted, he had said: “Do you want to try to overthrow the government, break something, wound, offend, and expect me or someone to kneel in front of you and kiss them and the sand onto which you wandered? This will not happen.”

No independent election monitors were allowed into Belarus to oversee the poll and no election result since Mr Lukashenko came to power in 1995 has been recognised by international observers as free or fair.