Belarus leader says Putin offers help as pressure builds

Vladimir Putin has offered to help ensure Belarus's security, according to its president Alexander Lukashenko, as pressure builds on the strongman leader and opposition protesters prepare for a show of force on Sunday.

Thousands demonstrated in the capital Minsk Saturday after main election challenger Svetlana Tikhanovskaya asked supporters to rally over the weekend and keep alive a movement that poses the biggest challenge to Lukashenko's hold over the ex-Soviet country.

Many gathered at the spot where Alexander Taraikovsky, 34, died on Monday during protests against an election the opposition says was rigged to give Lukashenko another term in office. Demonstrators heaped flowers at the spot and the crowd chanted "Thank you!" and raised victory signs.

Later thousands protested outside the Belarusian state television center, complaining that their broadcasts backed Lukashenko and gave a skewed picture of the protests.

Around 100 staff came out of the building to join the crowd and said they planned a strike on Monday. "Like everyone, we are demanding free elections and the release of those detained at mass protests," said one employee, Andrei Yaroshevich.

Riot police later arrived at the center and blocked off the entrance to the building.

The opposition is planning a major show of force in Central Minsk on Sunday with a "March for Freedom."

Facing the biggest challenge to his rule since taking power in 1994, Lukashenko called in Moscow's help and spoke on the phone with Putin Saturday. The Kremlin said the leaders agreed the "problems" in Belarus would be "resolved soon" and the countries' ties strengthened.

Opposition protesters slammed Lukashenko for now seeking Moscow's aid and said they fear Russian intervention. "It's obvious that our president can't deal with his own people anymore, he's seeking help in the east," said Alexei Linich, a 27-year-old programmer.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday urged Lukashenko to "engage with civil society," and offered to act as a mediator.

Tikhanovskaya, a 37-year-old political novice, who ran after her husband and other opposition candidates were jailed, accuses Lukashenko of rigging the vote and has demanded he step down so new elections can be held.

Despite leaving the country on Tuesday for neighboring Lithuania, she is also demanding authorities be held to account for the crackdown – which saw at least 6,700 people detained and hundreds injured.

Officials have confirmed two deaths in the unrest, including Taraikovsky – who they say died when an explosive device went off in his hand during a protest – and another man who died in custody in the southeastern city of Gomel.

AFP