Leader decries ‘rat’ protesters

MINSK:

Tens of thousands of demonstrators massed in central Minsk to demand the resignation of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who flew over the scene of the banned protest in a helicopter, calling marchers “rats”.

The authoritarian leader, shown later clutching an automatic rifle upon landing at his central Minsk residence, has ordered the military into full combat readiness in the face of the biggest challenge to his 26year rule of the ex-Soviet state.

“They fled like rats,” Mr Lukashenko said in a presidential video taken during the evening helicopter flight with his 15year-old son Nikolai after the protest had largely broken up.

He has previously dispatched his notorious riot police to disperse rallies after he claimed a sixth term in an election two weeks ago that the opposition says was rigged.

Crowds of protesters carrying the red-and-white flag of the opposition flooded Independence Square and marched chanting “freedom” and “we will not forget, we will not forgive” as cars honked in support.

Officials had warned Belarusians against joining “illegal demonstrations” and local news outlets published footage showing water cannon and riot police with shields moving towards Independence Square.

The European Union has rejected the election results and vowed to sanction Belarusians responsible for ballot fraud and a police crackdown that has seen nearly 7000 people arrested, with allegations of torture and abuse in custody.