On Sunday, a video showing Lukashenko flying by helicopter to his presidential palace and wielding a Kalashnikov rifle at his residence made international news. Mr. Lukashenko was accompanied by his 15-year old son who was also armed and wearing a bulletproof vest. At the backyard of the building riot police were waiting for the president to escort him to the palace. "We are with you until the end!" - riot police shouted. Lukashenko thanked his followers. Everything looked like they had withstood a fierce battle. However, the was no battle. Only a few protesters walked past the palace that day.
On August 23, massive rallies against Lukashenko took place across Belarus. The entire Minsk, the country's capital, was crowded with people. There were no less than 200,000 protesters with white-red-white flags. As well as a week ago, a record number of people came to the streets.
What do protesters demand? 1) To release all political prisoners - there are no less than 1000 of them; 2) To punish those responsible for the riot police violence on August 9-13 in Minsk and across Belarus - at least 700 people officially filed complaints of beatings and torture; 3) Lukashenko to resign and a new election to be held.
The protesters are so soft in their demands that they agree on Lukashenko's participation in the new elections, saying: "According to official results, Lukashenko has 80% of the vote, what is he afraid of? Let him win again, but in a fair voting, where there will be no place for fabrication".
So far, Lukashenko has firmly refused to negotiate with opponents - apparently hoping for police violence.
Nevertheless, protests and strikes continue. Last week, the Belarussian authorities did everything from pressuring strikers to the kidnapping and arrest of activists in an attempt to put an end to strikes.
Lukashenko threatened with a lockout starting from August 24.
Meanwhile, the EU decided not to recognize Lukashenko due to massive violence and the fake results of Belarusian election.
Protesters fear that Vloadimir Putin may decide to help Lukashenko to suppress the protests by force and, in addition, annex Belarus. The Russian President has already promised to provide assistance to Belarus if necessary. Moreover, Lukashenko's information policy is fully provided by journalists from Russia at the moment. Lukashenko had to replace local TV crews with Russian ones because they had come out on a strike.
So far, the protests have remained peaceful - the protesters even clean up the trash after themselves.
The outcome of the Belarusian crisis will be determined in the coming days.
