Belarus protestors resort to digital communication to organise nationwide demonstrations

Amid internet outs and opposition leer going on self-exile, protestors in Belarus calling for democracy have resorted to digital communications to organise peaceful garings.

unrest has rocked European nation since August 9 when results of ‘rigged’ general elections were anunced declaring sixth term for Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. From setting destinations to time of protests, messaging apps including Telegram have become an indispensable tool for protestors. 

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For instance, ncy sources carried a mess from one of channels on messaging app this week: “Today will be one more important day in fight for our freedom. Tectonic shifts are happening on all fronts, so it’s important t to slow down.” “Morning. Expanding strike … 11:00. Supporting Kupala (atre) ... 19:00. Garing at Independence Square,” it ded. 

While Lukashenko claimed landslide victory that extended his 26-year-old regime, opposition has dismissed results of elections and called it ‘rigged’.

Initially, peaceful demonstrations occurring in various major cities in Belarus were confronted by authorities with stun grenes, rubber bullets and clashes with law enforcement officers. Shortly after that opposition leer Svetlana Tikhavskaya left for Lithuania amid threats. Since authorities even shut off internet, disappointed public resorted to Telegram.

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app widely remains available despite internet cut-offs and has touted privacy of messs shared between users. Telegram has previously been used to organise wide protests in past and similarly, Belurasian used some of its channels to transform scattered rallies into a coordinated call for action.

people who run se channels on Telegram even post constant news updates, videos, and photos of demonstrations occurring in places with heavy security. 

digital communication has also come in handy for protestors to use contacts of human rights activists and even phone calls for future demonstrations. members of opposition have moderately refrained from publicly organising nationwide rallies but reportedly tens of thousands of people have responded to such calls. Franak Viacorka, a Belarusian analyst and n-resident fellow at Atlantic Council has ted that NEXTA, NEXTA Live and Belarus of Brain have become most popular channels.

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Criminal case against opposition leers

Belarusian authorities have opened a criminal investigation against opposition over alleged attempt to ‘seize power’. chief prosecutor of ruling party, Alexander Konyuk filed an indictment stating that creation and activity of Coordination Council by Opposition are aimed at ‘seizure’ of state power while also ‘harming national security’. 

This comes after Tikhavskaya anunced creation of a Coordination Council in a bid to ensure transfer of power. She even called out on foreign governments to ‘help’ m in organising negotiations with Belarusian authorities. 

(With AP Inputs)

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