Video: OMON Officers Disperse People Gathered Near Minsk Tractor Factory

On the morning of August 19, OMON special forces dispersed workers who had gathered at the Minsk Tractor Factory. Employees from the nearby Minsk Engine Plant and other activists had also arrived to support the workers. This was reported by Tut.by.

It was noted that employees of the factory had gathered at the entrance after they submitted vacation requests the day before, following an agreement with the general director, but were unable to enter the factory grounds that day.

Several hundred people were affected, as their passes were blocked, while their colleagues who had not submitted vacation requests were able to enter the factory without any issues.

“Employees of the Minsk Tractor Factory were joined by concerned citizens and some workers from the Minsk Engine Plant. However, the special forces dispersed the crowd. Later, people gathered again near the factory, but the security personnel, reinforced by additional forces at that moment, again did not allow them to assemble,” the media reported.

It is reminded that protests and strikes have continued in Belarus following the presidential elections on August 9, in which the incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won with 80% of the votes. In the early days of the protests, security forces used force and special measures against activists. Official figures indicate that about 7,000 people have been arrested. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, hundreds of people were injured during the unrest. Two deaths have been officially confirmed, while human rights defenders report five victims.