Lukashenko: Government should exercise its power

GRODNO, 24 August (BelTA) – Attempts to intimidate and threaten people from all walks of life by opponents to the existing government will be met with a tough response, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said attending a rally in Grodno on 22 August, BelTA has learned.

“Half a dozen governments in exile are wandering around Belarus now. Everyone wants to come here, to tear Belarus apart, to snatch a piece of it and put it into their pockets. I have already said that the so-called ‘black hundred' has emerged. Some individual centers started to spring up in the center and here till the prosecutor's office launched criminal proceedings into them. As soon as they did, half or more of them ran away or went into hiding. We will get them all,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.

“Just think about what this ‘black hundred' has suggested! Today mass media are a part of a hybrid war started against Belarus. Everything revolves around mass media. They started putting pressure and bullying families. They started intimidating children, civil servants, the military and journalists. This is not okay. This will be suppressed in the toughest way,” the president said.

“I have just said that they have Saturday and Sunday to mull over it. I mean no offense but starting from Monday the government will assert its authority,” the Belarusian leader added.

“The most terrible thing is continuing pressure on people. We have worked out an algorithm of action against those who intimidate and bully families,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.