Arrests, arrests, arrests
If you add to that the other 15-20 people that were arrested yesterday, you’ll get a total of about 35-40 political activists that were arrested. All of them were charged with petty hooliganism on different pretexts, most popular being “swearing in public”, and will have to spend the election day in jail.
Virtually all of the arrested people were top members of Milinkevich’s team. If you imagine our united opposition as an army, it essentially means all of its generals and best officers are now taken prisoners. Milinkevich’s headquarters have been destroyed.
As someone pointed out in the comments, Lukashenka is using a very smart strategy. He didn’t arrest Kazulin or Milinkevich (just yet), but he arrests everyone else around him. So those arrests don’t appear as “sensational” or “news worthy” as to make it to CNN or BBC TV news, but they are very effective. Milinkevich envisoned it and called it “decapitation of his team.” I wonder if they have a strategy (if there can be a strategy at all in such cirumstances).
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P.S. I am plesantly surpsied to see a sudden increase of interest in Belarus’ current affairs from my fellow bloggers. In the last several days my blog was often mentioned in the blogosphere, among others by such notable and esteemed bloggers as:
- Instapundit
- Publius Pundit
- Times Online
- Global Voices
- Tim Worstall
- Paul Wells
- Ethan Zuckerman
- TOL Blogs
- Cyber Cossack
- Canadian Journalist
- Mental Blog
- Estavisti
Und auch auf Deutsch:
Danke schön! Thank you!
March 16th, 2006 at 11:19 pm
I find the current situation of arrests in Belarus depressingly predictable but I have just read of a new threat of a death sentence for people who are ‘threatening a civil coup’. President Lukashenko is really turning up the temperature! I agree that it is good that Belarus is getting some publicity and it is not of the kind that President Lukashenko likes!
March 17th, 2006 at 9:52 pm
I’m pleased to see myself “notable and esteemed” at the notable and esteemed br23 blog.
I’m really interested in this election, though I’m very conflicted as to the most desirable result. Neither of the two main candidate rates more than 4/10 for me. Whoever wins, it won’t be good for Belarus, in my opinon at least. On balance, I’m rooting for Milinkevich, but he’s the least bad option, who’ll hopefully just be a stepping stone to someone better. Either way, I wish ordinary Belrussians all the best.
Estavisti
March 18th, 2006 at 11:57 pm
I have an interest in Belarus and have also linked to your blog.
My heart hurts for you and the people of Belarus. Although I feel helpless to help — and our US leaders give only lip service to true freedom and democracy — I thank you for keeping the world informed.
March 21st, 2006 at 3:46 pm
hi belarus what do you guys want & what is freedom anyway? do you actually think we’re free in the west?freedom on this planet depends on the amount of cash you got.you espouse “democracy” if you get it;good luck! weve been tryin in the uk for centuries! when someone mentions “democracy” prepare 4 the grand deception! whats needed is a little floating anarchy!merry pranksterism never capitalism or its blood brother communism! peace n love and real revolution!
March 12th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
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