Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday accused protestors of receiving money for rallying in Belarusian cities.
"They get money for that. That's not for free," the Belarusian leader said. "Some 500-700 people gather and start provocations, making up a picture that the West wants to show."
He said that when the economic situation in the country improves, the protestors will have no reasons to rally.
"They want to seize the moment. They are fully aware that every day we are getting closer to overcoming the [economic] downturn we had earlier this year," the president added.
Belarus has seen unprecedented economic and political turmoil in recent months, as increasingly frequent protests against the 17-year reign of the authoritarian Lukashenko have combined with a 36% devaluation of the national currency.
