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A government crackdown in Belarus backfired after a slew of videos showed security forces brutally repressing demonstrators. We reviewed hundreds of the videos and spoke to protesters who were beaten, arrested and detained. https://nyti.ms/315Joha
The demonstrations started peacefully after a disputed presidential election that extended Aleksandr Lukashenko’s 26-year rule. Things turned violent, videos show, when police officers attacked protesters who don't appear to pose a threat. https://nyti.ms/315Joha
On Aug. 10, Belarusian authorities said a protester was killed by an “unidentified explosive device” that blew up in his hands. 3 videos show an officer firing his weapon in the direction of the protester, who is about 45 feet away with his hands up. https://nyti.ms/315Joha
Thousands of protesters were detained last week in Belarus. Dozens who were freed from jails said they were beaten, humiliated and tortured. Yevegny Ukraintsev discussed his experience in Okrestina, a notorious detention facility in Minsk, the capital. https://nyti.ms/315Joha
Public outrage at the government’s brutality has turned Belarusians whose loyalty to Lukashenko had once been unquestioned. Several former members of security forces published videos showing themselves throwing away and burning their uniforms. https://nyti.ms/315Joha
The most apparent threat to Lukashenko’s grip on power has been widespread strikes at state-run enterprises. Thousands of workers across Belarus have refused to work and are helping to fuel the demonstrations. See our visual investigation here: https://nyti.ms/315Joha
