Tsikhanouskaya Accuses Minsk Of Trying To Intimidate Belarusian Communiity In Lithuania

A Belarusian Orthodox church in Vilnius was shot at with a pneumatic weapon overnight on September 4-5.

Belarusian opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya has accused the Belarusian government of being behind the vandalism of organizations that cater to Belarusians living in Lithuania, including a help center for refugees, a cultural center, and a Belarusian Orthodox church. Tsikhanouskaya condemned the incidents, which took place in Vilnius overnight on September 4-5, saying they were “obviously aimed at sowing enmity between Belarusians and Lithuanians.” Natallya Kalehava, the director of the Dapamoha (Help) center for Belarusian refugees, said that graffiti appeared near the center that read: “There is no place for Belarusian parasites here.” Also overnight, unknown assailants fired a pneumatic weapon at the window of a Belarusian Orthodox parish church and unknown individuals broke windows of the Belarusian Culture Center in Vilnius. The Lithuanian police have been informed about the incidents. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Belarus Service, click here.