How German sponsors of the World Ice Hockey Championship reacted to Lukashenka's sanctions | Belarus: a view from Europe - special project >

The three German companies sponsoring the 2021 Ice Hockey World Championship, at >’s request on Thursday, May 6, responded to the sanctions imposed on their products by the Belarusian authorities. The measures announced in Minsk for six months were a reaction to the fact that, because of these firms, the regime of Alyaksandr Lukashenka was deprived of the opportunity to become one of the two hosts of the current championship.

Products of the Volkswagen plant in Kaluga fell under the ban

“The government of the Republic of Belarus has announced a ban on the import of new Skoda Auto cars. Until the situation is clarified, the local importer in Belarus has suspended sales of new Skoda Auto cars for an indefinite period from May 5, 2021,” Martin Jezek stated in a written response to the > inquiry from the press services of the Czech car manufacturer Skoda Auto, a wholly owned subsidiary of the German concern Volkswagen (VW).

“We hope to resolve the situation soon in the interests of our clients,” he added. The company representative did not answer the question of >, whether Skoda cars were supplied to the Belarusian market completely from the Russian VW plant in Kaluga, or partially from the headquarters in the Czech Republic.

A familiar picture for many years: the Skoda logo on the hockey field during the World Cup

Beiersdorf, a German manufacturer of cosmetics and household chemicals, told > that it had taken into account “the list of those goods that are prohibited for import and sale on the territory of the Republic of Belarus.” We are talking about a line of men’s cosmetics under the Nivea Man brand. “We regret that we can no longer serve our customers in Belarus,” stressed the press service of Beiersdorf. She avoided answering what share of the global revenue of the concern was occupied by the Belarusian market so far.

In turn, the press service of the German manufacturer of motor oils, auto chemicals and auto cosmetics Liqui Moly responded to >’s request that “we do not want to speak out on this topic at the moment.”

Sponsors did not want to put up with human rights violations in Belarus

In mid-January, the owners of the Skoda, Nivea Man and Liqui Moly brands announced that they would refuse to sponsor the 2021 World Cup if some of the matches are held in Minsk. They named the systematic violations of human rights in Belarus and the brutal treatment of peaceful demonstrators by the authorities as the reason.

These statements came shortly after German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas urged not to make “PR gifts” to the Lukashenka regime. After the ultimatum of its three financial partners, including the general sponsor of the championship of Skoda, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), there was nothing left but to abandon the original plan to host the 2021 World Cup in two countries – Latvia and Belarus. As a result, now all the matches will be held from May 21 to June 6 in Riga.

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Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: how it happened
The beginning of the protests
After the closing of polling stations on August 9, thousands of Belarusians took to the streets of Minsk and other cities to protest. At that time, the results of the official exit poll were announced, according to which Alexander Lukashenko gained about 80% of the votes, his main rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya – about 7%.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: how it happened
First arrests
There were huge queues at the polling stations. Not everyone managed to vote. After closing at 20 o’clock, people stayed at some polling stations and demanded to post the final protocols. The first arrests by riot policemen took place.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: how it happened
Spontaneous actions
Mass protests began at 21:00 local time. In Minsk, the main buildings and squares were cordoned off in advance by the security forces and blocked off by military equipment. The central metro stations were closed. Protests took place spontaneously and in different parts of the city.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: how it happened
Rally points for protesters
The main place of protest in Minsk was Pobediteley Avenue, with the “Minsk – Hero City” stele located on it, as well as the central street Nemiga intersecting the avenue. According to various estimates, up to 5,000 residents of the capital gathered there. In other cities, people protested in the central squares.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: how it happened
Thirst for change
Many protesters carried historic white-red-white flags. Slogans sounded: “Go away”, “Freedom”, “Police with the people” and Tsoi’s song “Change”. Passing cars honked to protesters in support. Flashlights on mobile phones have turned into a sea of lights.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: how it happened
Appeals for peace
Night protests took place not only in the capital, but also in all regional centers – Brest, Grodno, Vitebsk, Mogilev, Gomel, as well as small towns, in particular, in Novopolotsk, Soligorsk, Baranovichi, Lida, Zhodino, Kobrin, Volkovysk, Slonim, Polotsk, Bobruisk, Molodechno. People appealed to the riot police with an appeal to lower their shields and go over to their side.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: how it happened
The beginning of acceleration and the use of special equipment
After 10 pm, a “clean-up” operation began in Minsk. Rows of riot police with shields moved towards each other, forcing the protesters from the streets and squares. Not without clashes with riot police. During the dispersal of the protest rallies, the security forces used stun grenades, firecrackers, rubber bullets, and water cannons against the protesters. There were also reports in the media about the use of tear gas.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: how it happened
Road barricades and casualties
On Pobediteley Avenue, protesters erected dumpster barricades to block the road. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, more than 50 citizens and 39 security officials were injured during the clashes per day. The human rights center “Viasna” also reported one person who died due to the collision of special equipment. The Ministry of Internal Affairs denied this information. One video on social media shows a paddy wagon knocking down a protester in Minsk.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: how it happened
Riot charge
By one o’clock in the morning, Belarusian time, the police in Minsk took the situation under control. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus, as of August 10, a total of about 3,000 people were detained, about 1,000 in the capital and more than 2,000 in other regions of the republic. They are accused of riots and violence against the police.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: how it happened
The degree of violence has risen
On the night of August 11, the protests continued, becoming more violent. Military equipment appeared in Minsk, which had not previously been used to disperse demonstrations in Belarus. Photo and video from the scene show that the protesters are using Molotov cocktails. And the security forces throw flash-noise grenades at a moving car, after which the driver steps on the gas and crashes into a group of riot police.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: how it happened
First victims
On August 10, an explosion occurred on Pritytsky Street in Minsk, as a result of which one of the protesters died. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus, an explosive device detonated in the man’s hands, which he wanted to throw at the police officers. At the same time, the authors of the Belarus Brain Telegram channel believe that the man could have died after the security forces threw a flash and noise grenade at his feet.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: how it happened
Protests continue
On the night of August 12, citizens of the country went to protest in 25 cities. According to the Ministry of Health, 51 protesters and 14 representatives of the police and internal troops were injured last night. The investigating authorities have initiated 17 criminal cases.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: how it happened
Daytime peaceful protest actions
At the Komarovsky market in Minsk on the afternoon of August 12, 250 girls with roses in their hands lined up in a chain – as a sign of solidarity with those who suffered from violence these days. Soon the police appeared and through a loudspeaker demanded to disperse, warning about “the responsibility established by law.” The girls shouted “Shame!”, Laid flowers on the ground and dispersed. The same actions were held in other cities of the country.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: how it happened
Aleksievich urged Lukashenko to resign
On the evening of August 12, protests were again held in different cities of the country, this time ending without violent clashes with the security forces. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, another 700 people were detained per day. In Gomel, a 25-year-old boy died after being detained. Several TV presenters wrote letters of resignation from state TV, and Nobel laureate Svetlana Aleksievich called on Lukashenko to step down.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: how it happened
Detainees began to be released
For the first time, the night of 13-14 August passed without the use of violence against the protesters. From the Center for Isolation of Offenses of the Main Internal Affairs Directorate of the Minsk City Executive Committee, known in Minsk as “Akrestsin”, they began to release those detained at the protest actions. Many of them talked about torture, overcrowded cells, and complained of hunger and thirst. Someone needed medical attention.

Protests in Belarus after the presidential elections: how it happened
Harsh response to protesters
The current presidential elections were the sixth in the history of modern Belarus – the most tense and unprecedented in terms of the severity of the crackdown on protests, as observers note.
Author: Victoria Zaryanka