Belarus Police Threaten to Start Shooting as Protests Go On
- Police say they are ready to use combat weapons if necessary
- Over 700 people arrested as tempers flared at Sunday protest
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Belarus police threatened to start using combat weapons Monday after weekly protests in the capital of Minsk took a violent turn, in a sign that the authorities may be preparing even harsher tactics as the protests enter a third month.
“The protests, which have shifted mostly to Minsk, have become more organized and extremely radical,” a spokesman for the Interior Ministry said in a video statement. “Interior Ministry troops won’t leave the streets and will use special equipment and combat weapons if necessary.”