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Deutsche Welle (3 December 2020)

Security forces in Belarus have always used violence against protesters. But tactics against demonstrators following a disputed election appear particularly harsh.

As they have since August, protesters continue to take to the streets, calling for Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to resign — despite an increasingly brutal response from the security forces.

Immediately following the election, in which Lukashenko was declared the winner with 80% of the vote, the Special Purpose Police Detachment (OMON) used water cannons, stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse peaceful demonstrations. Some protesters were killed, many were injured, and dozens were arrested. Many of those who ended up being held in the Okrestina Detention Center in the capital, Minsk, were subjected to torture and other forms of brutality.

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