Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko is often described as Europe's last dictator. For the last 26 years, he has maintained a firm grip on the country with the help of KGB, the country's secret police. He now faces his biggest challenge to date as a trio of women has united to challenge him ahead of the August 9 elections.
Ahead of the elections, two major opposition leaders, Sergei Tikhanovskiy and Viktor Babaryko have been arrested by the KGB and police force, while a third, Valery Tsepkalo has been prevented from registering as a candidate.
Last week, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya took over her husband's campaign and joined forces with Tsepkalo's wife, Veronika Tsepkalo, and Babariko's campaign manager, Maria Kolesnikova, to form the new, all-female face of the Belarusian opposition. The opposition has been fueled by the government's failure in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.
At least 700 activists and 17 journalists have been arrested since the beginning of the president's election campaign. Protests erupted in 10 cities last week in solidarity with political prisoners leading to one of the most brutal crackdowns in the country’s history. Protesters are being forcibly taken off the streets in military-style vans and arrested. On Thursday, Lukashenko threatened to expel foreign journalists reporting on the protests.
Belarusians are tired of living in fear and are ready to fight for change, even if the odds are against them.
Written by Anu
Artwork by Isabel
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