Disinfo: Lithuania has transformed into a totalitarian society, where any alternative opinions are rejected

Summary

In general, the inadequate reaction of Lithuanian politicians and journalists to the statements of the leaders of the EAPL–CFA, the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania – Christian Families Alliance, [words in support of Lukashenka] proves that Lithuania, so proud of its fight against “Soviet totalitarianism”, has transformed into a totalitarian society in which any alternative opinions cause rejection.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about Lithuania. The disinformation claim appeared in the context of the statement of the Lithuanian MP Zbigniew Jedziński (representative of the EAPL–CFA party), who defended the actions of Lukashenka saying that the Belarusian security forces were defending the Constitution. The Lithuanian Prime Minister called the statement completely unacceptable and incomprehensible. Lithuania is a democratic country, and ranks 28th out of 180 countries in the 2020 World Press Freedom Index. See more examples of Russian disinformation about Lithuania - The Baltic states and Poland are blowing Belarus up from the inside; Lithuania follows totalitarian laws, while Sputnik fights against intolerance and Lithuania will become a black hole in the energy map of Europe.

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pl.rubaltic.ru (Archived)
  • Reported in: Issue 212
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 15/09/2020
  • Outlet language(s) Polish
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Belarus, Lithuania
  • Keywords: Dictatorship, Propaganda, USSR, Protest, Democracy, Freedom of speech, Alexander Lukashenko
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Disinfo: Destabilisation of Belarus and ousting of Lukashenko was planned in US embassy in Ukraine

A task force was created in the US embassy in Kyiv. Its main goal was to destabilise Belarus and to overthrow Lukashenko. The first grants were given to achieve this. [They were used] in blocking the Belarusian embassy in Kyiv, the adoption of a resolution by the [Verkhovna] Rada on the non-recognition of the election results, and in recalling the Ukrainian ambassador to Belarus.

Sep 14, 2020
Disproof

This is part of an ongoing Russian disinformation campaign on Belarus based on recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives, such as accusing other countries of interference and portraying popular protests against electoral fraud in the country as a Western-led colour revolution. There is no evidence that the US or Ukraine is trying to destabilise the situation in Belarus. US and Ukraine both support the independence and territorial integrity of Belarus and they do not have any political claims. The protests in Belarus erupted to contest the results of the presidential elections in Belarus that took place on the 9 August, which are considered fraudulent by a large part of Belarusian society. The European Union has also stated that the elections were neither free nor fair. There is no evidence that the protests in Belarus are funded and organised externally. Pro-Kremlin media frequently use disinformation narratives about popular protests around the world allegedly incited and funded by the US and other Western states. It has been applied, among others, to protests in Ukraine, Venezuela, Georgia, and Belarus, as well as to present a deceiving narrative on the aggressive West constantly preparing new coups. Read similar disinformation cases: The Baltic States and Poland are blowing Belarus up from the inside, Ukrainian militants are staying in Belarus to carry out a coup d'etat, in Belarus, there are signs of a colour revolution, but hybrid one.

Disinfo: Allegations of Navalny's poisoning are a concerted Western effort against Russia

What we are seeing regarding the allegations surrounding Navalny is a part and parcel of an ongoing, concerted, and vicious campaign against Russia, because Russia is a superpower and that’s what the Americans and the British loathe.

Sep 14, 2020
Disproof

The claim advances recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the poisoning of activist Alexei Navalny, and Western Russophobia. There are no grounds for connecting either the US or the UK to Navalny's poisoning. The activist fell ill on a 20 August flight from Siberia to Moscow. Initially hospitalized in Omsk, he was transferred to the Charité hospital in Berlin at the request of his family. Clinical findings at the Charité hospital indicated that Navalny was poisoned with a substance from the group of cholinesterase inhibitors. Subsequent toxicological tests revealed the presence of a Novichok-type nerve agent in Navalny's blood. Polluting Western media environments with multiple contradictory narratives of a given event is an established strategy of pro-Kremlin media outlets. See here for an overview of, and similarities between, Russian disinformation campaigns surrounding the 2018 Skripal poisoning and the 2020 Navalny poisoning.

Disinfo: Maidan in Belarus, like Euromaidan, is directed against Russia

By its goals and objectives, Belomaidan is no different from the Euromaidan, and is directed against Russia and the Russian population of Belarus (which is an absolute majority).

Sep 14, 2020
Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about colour revolutions and Belarus. The protests in Belarus are not directed against Russia. People of Belarus took to the streets after a presidential elections on the 9 August, which are considered fraudulent by a large part of Belarusian society. The European Union has also stated that the elections were neither free nor fair. There is no evidence that the protests in Belarus are funded and organised externally or are directed against Russia or the Russian speaking population in Belarus. The objectives of the protests are set forth by the Coordination Council of Belarus opposition. They include: an end to political persecution of citizens, the release of all political prisoners, the annulment of the 9 August presidential election results, the need to hold new elections based on international standards. Euromaidan too was not directed against Russia. It was a spontaneous protest against the decision of President Viktor Yanukovych not to sign the Association Agreement with the European Union. The protesters' demands included constitutional reform, a stronger role for parliament, formation of a government of national unity, an end to corruption, early presidential elections and an end to violence. See similar cases claiming that the protests in Belarus are a colour revolution conducted according to a Maidan scenario and that the West wants to prepare Maidan in Belarus.