The violent break up of a peaceful demonstration in Minsk on 25 March, with beating and arrests, is evidence of the fear that the regime has of even a minority of its citizens. After these events, the situation has changed quantitatively.

By leaving no legal measures for protest and using physical force and charges of terrorism against those who disagree with him, Lukashenko and his group are undermining the foundations of the state and juxtaposing themselves against all of society.

The events of 25 March show that they are incapable of solving political problems in a contemporary manner or of leading a European country in the 21st century.

The beatings and arrests on Republic Square beneath the windows of the presidential palace and the streets of the capital after the so-called elections that gave Alexander Lukashenko a huge majority evince the beginning of the end of the regime in Belarus. His actions have sharply accelerated the formation of an opposition front and deprived him of the possibility of survival in the medium-range future.

The Russian democratic YABLOKO Party is in solidarity with Belarus citizens who have suffered repressions for their striving toward honest elections and a worthy life.

Many thanks for the translation to Nina Bouis