Mass protests are taking place in Belarus, following presidential elections earlier this month. There is suspicion that the election has been rigged in favour ofthe incumbent president, Alexander Lukashenko who was elected for his sixth term since 1994. After the election, the opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya fled to Lithuania. Thousands of people have been arrested during the protests. Details have emerged of alleged police brutality which has led to further demonstrations.
The protests, which now have been joined by factory workers, are taking place throughout the country – including in Grodno, a town in western Belarus, near the Polish and Lithuanian borders. "Young people and families take to the streets", said Pastor Vladimir Tatarnikov from the Lutheran Church in Grodno. "People from our congregation are also taking part, and some have already been arrested. Our Lutheran Church is located in the city centre. Together with the Orthodox and Catholic brothers and sisters, we have opened the churches so that demonstrators can take refuge there.
"We pray for peace in our country", Tatarnikov continued. One of the main tasks of the Lutheran Church in Belarus is to provide diaconal care to the victims of violence and people who are in hospitals. In the near future, the support of the Lutheran communion will be needed for this. But first of all, we ask you for your prayers. Prayers for peace and stability in our crisis-ridden country."
* Lutheran World Federation https://www.lutheranworld.org/
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