Disinfo: Foreign TV stations instigated violence in Belarus, advising on how to attack policemen

Summary

Violence took over Minsk and most Belarusian cities since August 9. Provokers, well organised and directed by TV stations Nexta Live and Nexta, created by Poland, have been transmitting from Warsaw and the Lithuanian capital Vilnius instructions to their leaders both foreigners and Belarusians, informing them on police movements, especially on counter-riot forces, and giving them advice on how to attack policemen and set them on fire.

Disproof

This is part of an ongoing Russian disinformation campaign on post-electoral events in Belarus, framing popular protests against the election result as caused by foreign interference through a ‘colour revolution’. No evidence is provided to support any of the affirmations. Contrary to the claim, anti-Lukashenko protests have been mostly peaceful, and violence has come from Belarusian police and authorities against demonstrators, including beatings, torture and excessive force. See other examples of pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives in Belarus, such as claims that the EU reaction to Lukashenko’s victory is an example of Western double standards; that the same lack of democracy and repression is present in EU countries that criticise them in Minsk; that the arrest of Russian mercenaries in Belarus was a Ukrainian provocation, and the Ukrainian secret services may have planned terrorist attacks in Belarusian territory; that the West wants to prepare another Maidan in the country; or that Belarusians, Ukrainians and Russians are one single nation. This disinformation message appeared in the same article as the claims that “The West betrayed Lukashenko, as it always does with rulers who become too friendly with it” and “Belarusian opposition is guided from a psy-op centre in Poland under NATO and CIA control”.

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mundo.sputniknews.com (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 209
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 25/08/2020
  • Outlet language(s) Spanish
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Poland, Belarus
  • Keywords: Protest, Alexander Lukashenko
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Aug 24, 2020
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