Alyaksei Yunukevich: “Repressive essence of Belarusian regime doesn’t change”

“Arrest and beating of peaceful demonstrators in Minsk on September 9 arouses indignation,” the leader of the Belarusian Popular Front said commenting on the crack down of a protest rally against bringing Russian troops to Belarus.

“This demonstrates that the repressive essence of the Belarusian regime doesn’t change and the repressive government machine remains the man instrument to control the situation in the country. The fact the demonstrators, protesting against Russian troops staying in Belarus, is especially indignant. The interests of Alyaksandr Lukashenka will always differ from the national interests of Belarus,” Alyaksei Yanukevich told in an interview to www.charter97.org.

We remind that a rally of protest against bringing Russian troops in Belarus with the slogan “No to Russian Occupation!” was brutally dispersed in Minsk today. Dozens oppositionists were detained before and during the rally.

A rally under slogans “No to Russian Occupation!” was carried out in protest against starting the strategic military exercises Zapad-2009. First echelons of Russian troops arrived in Belarus yesterday.

One of the aims of the exercises is liquidation of military conflicts, but Belarusian democrats believe the forthcoming exercises threaten independence of Belarus. The Belarusian land has never met such amount of Russian soldiers before – 6000 out of 12500 soldiers, involved in the training, are Russians. Political leader of Russia have stated several times about possible brining Russian troops to Belarus in case of a threat to Lukashenka’s regime.