Iran Press/ Europe: "As far as bodily harm is concerned, there are 45 such officers. Speaking about those recognized as victims in criminal cases, there are 152 such persons," Ivan Kubrakov said on Thursday.
Kubrakov told the ONT TV channel that residents of other regions flock to Minsk to take part in the protests, carrying bottles with incendiary liquid, prepared beforehand. While searching them, police officers often find various objects that can be used in melee.
In his words, about 60% of those detained are people aged between 18 and 30.
"About 15% of those detained for taking part in unsanctioned rallies have a criminal record. But among those who provoke and commit crimes, about 50% or 60% were convicted previously," the Minsk police chief continued.
He also said that investigation is underway on "how the protest movements are financed and where the money comes from."
"I cannot give you any facts at the moment, because an investigation is underway and certain information is being verified. But, indeed, there are facts of those protests being paid for," he said.
Mass protests have been taking place in Belarus for over two months since the republic’s presidential elections were held on August 9.
According to the final data of the Central Election Commission, incumbent President Lukashenko won 80.1 percent of the vote. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya who was considered as his key rival garnered 10.12 percent of the vote. However, she did not recognize the outcome of the polls and initiated setting up the Belarusian Opposition Coordination Council, which declared measures to provide for power transfer as its main goal.
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