Lithuania citizens form human chain to support Belarus protests, with fourth protester found dead
Official reports dismiss any connections between the four deaths and the protests
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In Lithuania, some 50,000 people are expected to join a human chain reaching from Vilnius, the nation’s capital, to the Belarusian border to show solidarity with the protests, public broadcaster Lithuanian Radio and Television (LRT) reported.
Supporters of Belarus opposition from Lithuania hold and wave historical Belarusian flags during the "Freedom Way", a human chain of about 50,000 strong from Vilnius to the Belarusian border, near Medininkai, Lithuanian-Belarusian border crossing east of Vilnius, Lithuania, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020. In Aug. 23, 1989, around 2 million Lithuanians, Latvians, and Estonians joined forces in a living 600 km (375 mile) long human chain Baltic Way, thus demonstrating their desire to be free. Now, Lithuania is expressing solidarity with the people of Belarus, who are fighting for freedom today. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
The show of support will mimic the famous Baltic Way, when over a million people formed a human chain spanning Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to demand an end to the Soviet occupation. The event also happens to be on the 21st anniversary of the Baltic Way.
Supporters of Belarus opposition from Lithuania hold and wave historical Belarusian flags during the "Freedom Way", a human chain of about 50,000 strong from Vilnius to the Belarusian border, during a protest near Medininkai, Lithuanian-Belarusian border crossing east of Vilnius, Lithuania, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020. In Aug. 23, 1989, around 2 million Lithuanians, Latvians, and Estonians joined forces in a living 600 km (375 mile) long human chain Baltic Way, thus demonstrating their desire to be free. Now, Lithuania is expressing solidarity with the people of Belarus, who are fighting for freedom today. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
"Freedom is not only a fundamental human right but also a nation's fundamental right,” Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said. “It’s also a daily commitment to defend it from any attempt on it by those who would replace freedom with darkness, oppression and fear.”
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}People hold hands, historical white-red-white flags of Belarus and flowers as they participate in a "Freedom Way", a human chain of about 50,000 strong from Vilnius to the Belarusian border, during a protest near Medininkai, Lithuanian-Belarusian border crossing east of Vilnius, Lithuania, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020. In Aug. 23, 1989, around 2 million Lithuanians, Latvians, and Estonians joined forces in a living 600 km (375 mile) long human chain Baltic Way, thus demonstrating their desire to be free. Now, Lithuania is expressing solidarity with the people of Belarus, who are fighting for freedom today. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
“Today, time has come for our Belarusian brothers to say the dear word ‘Freedom’.”
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Belarusians have gathered in unprecedented numbers in Minsk to demand the resignation of President Alexander Lukashenko, who claimed victory for a sixth term on Aug. 9 after reportedly receiving 80% of the vote. Since the results, an “awakening of Belarus” has taken place, with hundreds of thousands turning out to protest and workers at state-controlled companies going on strike.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The situation has grown so severe that Lukashenko has taken to carrying a rifle outside of his home, according to AP News.
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The protests have stirred up support across Europe, with leaders speaking out in solidarity with the citizens of Belarus, refusing to accept the results of the election. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has also raised concerns about the thousands of arrests that have taken place, as well as missing protesters, with further allegations of torture and abuse.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The commissioner also confirmed that at least four protesters have been found dead.
The fourth protester, Mikita Kryutsou, was found on Saturday, hanged in a forest park in Minsk, his body severely beaten, EN24 reported. Kryustou, 28, had been reported missing by his family for 10 days before his body was found.
An investigation committee supposedly said Sunday that Kryustou’s death was “not related to the recent events,” but footage appeared on social media showing that he attended a protest in the city, standing right in front of riot police.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}People hold an old Belarusian National flag and gather at the place where Alexander Taraikovsky died amid the clashes protesting the election results, during his civil funeral in Minsk, Belarus, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020. Taraikovsky died Monday as demonstrators roiled the streets of the capital Minsk, denouncing official figures showing that authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, in power since 1994, had won a sixth term in office. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)
Authorities have explained away other deaths as well, such as that of Alexander Taraikovsky, a professor who supposedly died when an explosive device that he intended to throw at police blew up in his hands.
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His partner, Elena German, told the Associated Press that he was instead shot by police. Video shot by an AP journalist showed Taraikovsky collapsing on the ground without evidence of an explosive device.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Associated Press contributed to this report.