Belarus: Lukashenko re-elected and the Internet down

26 years after his first inauguration in power, in recent days Lukashenko confirmed himself as the head of Belarus for another term with over 80% of the votes. A few hours later, tens of thousands of people took to the streets of capital Minsk and other cities to protest against what they call the last dictator of Europe by denouncing electoral fraud. At the same time, access to the Internet from the country seems to have been compromised at least in part, as does the use of some online or communication services.

Internet in fits and starts in Belarus

The complaint comes among the others from Twitter that through the Public Policy profile shares a post describing a block of the social network in the territory.

We are observing blocks and malfunctions for Twitter in Belarus in reaction to the protests contesting the electoral result. Internet shutdowns are extremely harmful. They fundamentally constitute a violation of basic human rights and the principles of an open Internet.

We're seeing blocking & throttling of Twitter in #Belarus in reaction to protests contesting the election result. #KeepItOn

Internet shutdowns are hugely harmful. They fundamentally violate basic human rights & the principles of the #OpenInternet. https://t.co/DN3pc4TkWC

- Twitter Public Policy (@Policy) August 10, 2020



The social network is not the only one to talk about a situation worsened within a few hours. Access Now, a non-profit organization that monitors the state of the Internet around the world, does so too.

our partners in Belarus claim that the authorities are cut by up to 50% of the foreign traffic, blocking dozens of portals including several newspapers and independent sites that claim opposition parties, stopping several VPN services.

Our partners in #Belarus say authorities have:

🚫 cut an uplink carrying 50% of foreign traffic

🚫 blocked dozens of sites, incl. some independent media & alternative voting sites

🚫 blocked a number of VPN services #Internetshutdowns taint the elections. Belarus must #KeepItOn

— Access Now (@accessnow) August 9, 2020



Among those who do not believe in the legitimacy of the election result, there is Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , 37-year-old leader of the democratic opposition Strange dlia Žisn (Country Life) who challenged Lukashenko in the polls. The husband Sjarhej Tichanoŭskij, well-known face on YouTube, was arrested twice in the month of may with the accusation of disruption of public order.

Source: VICE