MINSK, 8 September (BelTA) – Protests in Belarus were carefully planned and coordinated from abroad. Chairman of the International Affairs Commission of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Andrei Savinykh made the statement during a videoconference held to discuss results of the presidential election in Belarus within the framework of a session of the PACE Commission on Political Affairs and Democracy, BelTA has learned.
The MP said: “The Belarusian government has information that the protests were carefully planned and coordinated from abroad, including via social networks. These channels were used to coordinate the movement of protester columns across the city. Commands to stage actions, commands for people to gather up in specific locations were given in real time. The tricks that have been employed surprisingly repeat the techniques used to control the maidan revolution in Ukraine, color revolutions in Egypt and other countries. Other attempts of foreign interference in Belarus' domestic affairs have also taken place.”
The MP said he regretted the stance of individual European Union countries, which had already enforced national restrictions. “Sanctions lead to nowhere. We've already seen it repeatedly in the history of our relations. Much more was accomplished in the last few years of constructive cooperation than in decades of sanctions and restrictions,” he stated. “I would like to note that the current political system in Belarus needs to be developed. The parliament is ready for this work and welcomes a broad dialogue about the matter. However, the discussion is possible only within the framework of a healthy political process and in strict compliance with our laws. The dialogue cannot proceed in the face of street pressure or with external mediation. The dialogue should steer towards evolutionary, progressive, constructive development of the Belarusian society and the political system.”
