The Independent: “Belarusian authorities have threatened to start shooting demonstrators, raising the stakes in the country’s two-month standoff. In a video message released on social media, deputy interior minister Gennady Kazakevich claimed protests had become ‘extremely radical’. ‘Interior ministry officers and soldiers will not leave the streets,’ he said. ‘And if necessary, they will use special equipment and firearms.’ On Sunday, thousands of protesters clashed with government forces, who arrested hundreds, often violently. In a few cases, demonstrators were successful in fighting back to secure the release of their own. Mr Kazakevich described the scenes as preparation of a ‘colour revolution’.”