Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya says Belarus should create a legal framework for a new fair election. She also called on security forces to switch sides from President Alexander Lukashenko.
Aug. 17, 2020
The main Belarusian opposition figure, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, on Monday said she was ready to lead the nation, as tens of thousands continued protests against the contested reelection of long-time ruler Alexander Lukashenko just over a week ago.
Speaking in a video address from Lithuania, where she fled following the August 9 election, Tsikhanouskaya called for the creation of a legal framework to allow such new elections to be held. She has already proposed setting up a “coordination council” to ensure a peaceful transfer of power.
“I did not want to be a politician. But fate decreed that I’d find myself on the frontline of a confrontation against arbitrary rule and injustice,” she said. “I am ready to take responsibility and act as a national leader during this period.”
In her speech, she also urged security and law enforcement officers to switch allegiance from Lukashenko’s government, adding that they would be pardoned for their past actions if they did so now.
Opponents of Lukashenko have said they intend to launch legal action against security forces for alleged brutal treatment of peaceful protesters. At least two protesters are reported to have been killed, and some 7,000 were arrested and detained.
Read more at https://www.dw.com/en/belarus-tsikhanouskaya-calls-on-security-forces-to-switch-allegiance/a-54592262
