Thread by @HannaLiubakova

A massive rally of solidarity takes place later today in #Minsk. Workers from various plants announced that they are joining. But let me explain the atmosphere that prevails in #Belarus and what many citizens feel. Military trucks, paddy wagons have been brought to the capital.

#Lukashenko gave protesters time “to think”. Starting Monday,he'd respond. His officials and state propaganda with the help of a Russian media crew are blaming “foreign forces and instigators” for the protests. Hence security forces are only making the situation "stable"

Defense minister Viktar Khrenin made bizarre assumption that Belarus security forces’ attempts to stabilise the situation will be presented as genocide, and justify intervention of F-16 #US jet fighters from the base in #Poland. Is he trying to justify the use of extensive force?

A former investigator Andrei Astapovich, who resigned in protest against police brutality and called to "expell the dictator," was detained. He fled to Russia and applied for a visa, but was caught in Pskov. He may be deported to #Belarus. Also a signal that anyone can be found

People say that are scared - because they can be detained any time, beaten, humiliated,badly injured. In Grodno,plain clothes officers detained two men outside a bar.Eyewitnesses said they were at a protest yesterday,which means they were followed.They were put in an unmarked van

At least 4 metro stations in #Minsk are already closed. Water cannons were also noticed on the streets. Activists have been detained across the country,many were summoned to come to a police station,as human rights defenders report. Cars are being checked on the entrance to Minsk