11 August 2020, 23:59
Social network users criticize Kadyrov's claim about Lukashenko's victory in election
Statements of Ramzan Kadyrov about Alexander Lukashenko's "convincing victory" in the presidential election are controversial amid mass protests in Belarus, Instagram users claim.
The presidential election took place in Belarus on August 9. After polling stations in Minsk had been closed, clashes with law enforcers occurred. The country's authorities used force against journalists as well.
"Lukashenko is a great friend of the Chechen people and Russia as a whole. In our republic, he is valued and respected as a strong-willed, courageous, and decent person," Ramzan Kadyrov wrote in his Telegram channel.
The Instagram post with the congratulations to Alexander Lukashenko gained negative comments. "Why do you congratulate a person who mocks his people and believes that the whole country is his property, which he will not give up to anyone? Would there be so many protesters if he was a good leader?" noted user mussa.id.
"He used violence against his people, so what respect should we express to him?" wrote user s.tm95.
According to the preliminary information released by the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Belarus, President Alexander Lukashenko gained 80.23% of the votes, while his rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya gained 9.90%. However, according to the estimates of the Svetlana Tikhanovskaya's headquarters, she was supported by 70% to 90% of the voters. Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, and the Czech Republic called the presidential election in Belarus undemocratic. Over 24 hours, 2000 activists were detained in Belarus, while at least one protester died.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 11, 2020 at 04:07 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
