Kolesnikov: We ask that the Belarusian authorities not to ignore the will of the people, not to drown it in water from the water cannon, not stun grenades

The representative of the joint staff of the Belarusian oppositionist Maria Kolesnikova has called on the authorities to stop the violence. Video treatment Kolesnikova published edition TUT.BY.

She expressed condolences to all those affected by the violence and called for focusing on mutual aid now. She also urged all concerned to join the volunteer movement and to help the victims.

“We are asking the current government to ignore the will of the people. Not to drown her in the water of water cannons, stun grenades not to, do not maim with bullets, not to beat her with a baton, not to close the chambers. We see on the streets of ordinary people who want change. We see seniors who speak with Riot police. We see adults – they cry, watching four employees of power structures being dragged into a paddy wagon kid with a backpack,” said she.

The politician urged the authorities to stop the violence and heed the will of the people.

“These people will not disappear. They will not be able to forget about what is happening. They will not be able to live as before. They will not erase the memory, they are not forced to obey, to intimidate and cajole. They need a change,” – said Kolesnikov.

She noted that the Belarusian authorities find it difficult to accept that it is not illusory puppeteers from abroad, and Belarusians want change.

“We ask the authorities to find the strength to face the will of the people. We ask the authorities to hear of the Belarusians. Belarusians – those in uniform, those who are in the civil – take care of yourself and others. Our lives, health, freedom and security is the most important. We love you, you are incredible” she concluded.

In Belarus August 9 passed the main day of voting in the presidential election. According to the preliminary results of the CEC, President Alexander Lukashenko voted 80.2% of voters for the opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovski of 9.9%.

After the polls closed in several cities of Belarus the protests began, the most massive in Minsk. Between security forces and protesters clashes began. To disperse protesters in the center of Minsk , the security forces used stun grenades, rubber bullets and water cannons. Human rights activists have reported dozens injured during a protest.

The investigative Committee of Belarus opened a criminal case 21 after protests about the facts of mass unrest, hooliganism and resistance to police officers.

On 10 August the protests continued. In the center of Minsk pulled police buses and paddy wagons. The city authorities have closed six metro stations, “for passenger safety” before the protest disagrees with the result of the election. Protesters began to pelt the riot police with Molotov cocktails. The protests began to subside around 1.30to 3.00 the situation, according to media reports, has stabilized.

On this day in Minsk killed one of the activists.

The US condemned the use of force against protesters, the country’s NATO, OSCE, and Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania called on the authorities to refrain from violence. The high representative of the Union for foreign Affairs Josep Borrell said that during the election campaign the people of Belarus demonstrated a commitment to democratic change, but the elections were neither free nor fair.