Lukashenko abruptly sworn in, Belarus opposition calls for more protests
4 years, 6 months ago

Lukashenko abruptly sworn in, Belarus opposition calls for more protests

Firstpost  

By Andrei Makhovsky MINSK - Ignoring calls for an end to his 26-year grip on power, President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus was sworn in for a sixth term on Wednesday after an election that the opposition and several foreign governments say was rigged. The ceremony would normally have been publicised as a major state occasion but was instead held without warning following Lukashenko’s claim of a landslide victory in the Aug. 9 election. At a summit last week, Putin granted Lukashenko a $1.5 billion loan, and the two countries are holding “Slavic Brotherhood” defence exercises in Belarus. Rights investigator Anais Marin said more than 10,000 people had been “abusively arrested” since the election, with more than 500 reports of torture and thousands “savagely beaten”.

Russia Election Opposition Belarus Putin Lukashenko  opposition  protests  president  term  state  ceremony  abruptly  sworn  calls  lukashenko  rights  election  foreign  belarus

History of this topic

Authoritarian leader of Belarus is sworn for a 7th term and tells his critics ‘you have no future’
5 days, 3 hours ago

Authoritarian leader of Belarus is sworn for a 7th term and tells his critics ‘you have no future’

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarus’ authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko was sworn in Tuesday to a seventh term, and he mocked those who derided him as “Europe’s last dictator” by saying his country has more democracy “than those who cast themselves as its models.” In this photo released by Belarus’ Presidential Press Service, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko takes his oath of office …

Lukashenko sworn in as Belarus' president
Trending News
5 days, 19 hours ago

Lukashenko sworn in as Belarus' president

China Daily  

Alexander Lukashenko takes the oath during an inauguration ceremony, as he is sworn in as Belarusian president for the seventh term, in Minsk, Belarus, March 25, 2025. The ceremony was opened by Chairman of the Central Election Commission Igor Karpenko, who declared that Aleksandr Lukashenko had been elected president of the country by the will of the people of Belarus, …

Lukashenko sworn in as Belarus' president
Trending News
5 days, 19 hours ago

Lukashenko sworn in as Belarus' president

China Daily  

Updated: 2025-03-25 20:30 Alexander Lukashenko takes the oath during an inauguration ceremony, as he is sworn in as Belarusian president for the seventh term, in Minsk, Belarus, March 25, 2025. The ceremony was opened by Chairman of the Central Election Commission Igor Karpenko, who declared that Aleksandr Lukashenko had been elected president of the country by the will of the …

Lukashenko in power for 31 years: Why is Belarusian leader called 'Europe's last dictator'?
Trending News
2 months ago

Lukashenko in power for 31 years: Why is Belarusian leader called 'Europe's last dictator'?

Firstpost  

Alexander Lukashenko has extended his 31-year rule by winning a controversial seventh term in Belarus. File Image/Reuters Alexander Lukashenko, often referred to as “Europe’s last dictator,” has ruled Belarus for over three decades. Why Lukashenko is called “Europe’s last dictator” Lukashenko’s political journey began in 1994 when he was elected as Belarus’s first president after the collapse of the Soviet …

Belarus opposition and Western leaders reject election result that extends strongman’s rule
2 months ago

Belarus opposition and Western leaders reject election result that extends strongman’s rule

Associated Press  

Belarus’ opposition activists and Western officials on Monday denounced an orchestrated election that extends the more than three-decade rule of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko. The country’s exiled opposition leader called the result “sheer nonsense.” The Central Election Commission declared that Lukashenko won Sunday’s election with nearly 87% of the vote after a campaign in which four token challengers on the …

Lukashenko wins Belarus presidential election
2 months ago

Lukashenko wins Belarus presidential election

China Daily  

Xinhua | Updated: 2025-01-27 09:07 Belarusian President and presidential candidate Alexander Lukashenko visits a polling station during the presidential election in Minsk, Belarus Jan 26, 2025. MINSK - Incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko has won the presidential election of Belarus, according to the preliminary results released early Monday by the country's Central Election Commission. The preliminary data from the Central Election …

Belarus strongman Lukashenko secures 7th term with 87.6% of votes: Exit poll
2 months ago

Belarus strongman Lukashenko secures 7th term with 87.6% of votes: Exit poll

Firstpost  

Alexander Lukashenko, in power since 1994, won re-election Sunday in an election without real competition and slammed by the EU as a “sham”, a state exit poll said. Image- AFP Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was on track to win a seventh five-year term with 87.6% of the vote in Sunday’s election, according to an exit poll broadcast on state television. …

EU rejects Belarus election, threatens new sanctions
2 months ago

EU rejects Belarus election, threatens new sanctions

Firstpost  

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and enlargement commissioner Marta Kos said that the decision to invite observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe only 10 days ago prevented the group from monitoring the full electoral process. “This sham election in Belarus was neither free nor fair,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and enlargement commissioner Marta …

Amid criticism over 'farce' elections, Lukashenko calls Belarus a 'brutal democracy'
2 months ago

Amid criticism over 'farce' elections, Lukashenko calls Belarus a 'brutal democracy'

Firstpost  

‘We have a brutal democracy in Belarus,’ the authoritarian leader Lukashenko, a staunch ally of the Putin’s, told reporters after casting his vote in an election expected to secure him a seventh term in office Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Sunday described his country as a “brutal democracy” and said political prisoners could be released if they request pardons, while …

Belarus presidential election: Who’s taking on Lukashenko, does it matter?
2 months ago

Belarus presidential election: Who’s taking on Lukashenko, does it matter?

Al Jazeera  

President Alexander Lukashenko will be running to secure a seventh term, hoping to extend his 30-year rule over Belarus. The president, who has not engaged with an election campaign this run, told factory workers last week, “To be honest I don’t follow it. I simply don’t have time for it.” But after the last election in 2020, when the leader …

Belarus election is poised to extend 30-year rule of ‘Europe’s last dictator’
2 months ago

Belarus election is poised to extend 30-year rule of ‘Europe’s last dictator’

The Hindu  

The last time Belarus staged a presidential election in 2020, authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko was declared the winner with 80% of the vote. Mr. Lukashenko was dubbed “Europe’s last dictator” early in his tenure, and he has lived up to that nickname, harshly silencing dissent and extending his rule through elections that the West has called neither free nor fair. …

Lukashenko: ‘A hostage of the system that he himself created’
2 months ago

Lukashenko: ‘A hostage of the system that he himself created’

Al Jazeera  

On January 26, Belarusians will cast their ballots in a presidential vote. While Vladimir Putin’s Russia tolerated a degree of open dissent, at least until the invasion of Ukraine, Lukashenko was described for many years as “Europe’s last dictator” – a reputation which didn’t seem to faze him. ‘Afraid to look him in the eye’ Karbalevich believes that back then, …

Belarus: Putin's ally Lukashenko frees eight political prisoners in 'act of mercy' before elections
2 months ago

Belarus: Putin's ally Lukashenko frees eight political prisoners in 'act of mercy' before elections

Firstpost  

Belarus has more than 1,000 political prisoners, many of them detained during the mass protests that erupted after Lukashenko’s contentious re-election in 2020 Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko freed eight political prisoners on Friday, an “act of mercy” his office said came just days before an election expected to extend his nearly three-decade rule. In addition to the eight political prisoners, …

Belarus: Pro-Putin Lukashenko eyes another term in election rivals dub as ‘sham’
2 months ago

Belarus: Pro-Putin Lukashenko eyes another term in election rivals dub as ‘sham’

Firstpost  

With many of his political opponents either jailed or exiled abroad, the 70-year-old Lukashenko is back on the ballot, and when the election concludes on Sunday, he is all but certain to add a seventh term as the only leader most people in post-Soviet Belarus have ever known. Human rights activists say Belarus holds about 1,300 political prisoners, including Nobel …

Belarus election is poised to extend the 30-year rule of ‘Europe’s last dictator’
2 months ago

Belarus election is poised to extend the 30-year rule of ‘Europe’s last dictator’

Associated Press  

The last time Belarus staged a presidential election in 2020, authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko was declared the winner with 80% of the vote. Human rights activists say Belarus holds about 1,300 political prisoners, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, the founder of the country’s top rights group, Viasna. Lukashenko’s maneuvers before the election Although Lukashenko’s current term doesn’t expire …

Belarus leader Lukashenko pardons 32 prisoners convicted for ‘extremism’
4 months, 1 week ago

Belarus leader Lukashenko pardons 32 prisoners convicted for ‘extremism’

Al Jazeera  

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned dozens of political prisoners, his office said, but critics warned that the crackdown on dissent continues, with more than 1,000 people still imprisoned since mass demonstrations in 2020. This marked the sixth wave of pardons of political prisoners since July this year, with a total of 178 people released, according to a tally based …

Imprisoned Belarus activist resurfaces after no contact with her family for 20 months
Trending News
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Imprisoned Belarus activist resurfaces after no contact with her family for 20 months

Hindustan Times  

TALLINN, Estonia — Imprisoned Belarusian opposition activist Maria Kolesnikova has resurfaced after more than 20 months without any communication with relatives or friends and met with her father, a human rights group said Tuesday. Imprisoned Belarus activist resurfaces after no contact with her family for 20 months Kolesnikova, one of the most popular and charismatic figures who helped lead protests …

Imprisoned Belarus activist resurfaces after no contact with her family for 20 months
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Imprisoned Belarus activist resurfaces after no contact with her family for 20 months

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Imprisoned Belarusian opposition activist Maria Kolesnikova has resurfaced after more than 20 months without any communication with relatives or friends and met with her father, a human rights group said Tuesday. Kolesnikova gained prominence when mass protests erupted in Belarus after the widely disputed August 2020 election gave Lukashenko a sixth term in office. The U.N. Human …

Belarus’ hardline president releases 31 political prisoners but crackdown persists
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Belarus’ hardline president releases 31 political prisoners but crackdown persists

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarus’s authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has led a harsh crackdown on opposition, pardoned and released 31 political prisoners, his office announced Thursday. The announcement said the freed prisoners had been convicted of “crimes of an extremist nature,” a description widely used for opposition figures and people arrested in the mass protests that arose in 2020 after …

Belarus's Lukashenko pardons 31 people convicted over 'extremism'
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Belarus's Lukashenko pardons 31 people convicted over 'extremism'

Firstpost  

“Two women and 29 men have been pardoned,” the Belarusian presidency said in a statement, adding that 17 of them had “chronic illnesses” and seven were parents of small children Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 31 political prisoners, the latest such move that comes two months before an election in which he is set to extend his 30-year rule. …

Belarusian-American has his prison sentence extended amid continuous crackdown on dissent in Belarus
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Belarusian-American has his prison sentence extended amid continuous crackdown on dissent in Belarus

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Belarusian-American has had his …

Lithuania refers Belarus to the ICC, alleging crimes against humanity over opposition crackdown
6 months ago

Lithuania refers Belarus to the ICC, alleging crimes against humanity over opposition crackdown

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Opposition groups in Belarus have faced a severe crackdown …

Belarus’ authoritarian leader pardons 30 out of some 1,400 political prisoners
7 months, 1 week ago

Belarus’ authoritarian leader pardons 30 out of some 1,400 political prisoners

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarus’ authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 30 prisoners convicted for taking part in protests, the presidential office said Friday. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the Belarusian opposition leader-in-exile, welcomed the move but vowed to keep fighting until each of nearly 1,400 political prisoners in the country is set free. The Viasna human rights group estimates that Belarus now has …

Terrified dictator Lukashenko pleads with Putin and Zelensky to agree a peace deal - with the Belarus leader fearing Ukraine's troops now plan an incursion into his nation
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Terrified dictator Lukashenko pleads with Putin and Zelensky to agree a peace deal - with the Belarus leader fearing Ukraine's troops now plan an incursion into his nation

Daily Mail  

Terrified dictator Alexander Lukashenko has urged Russia and Ukraine to agree a peace deal to avoid the war spilling over into Belarus. President Lukashenko, a key ally of Vladimir Putin, said he fears Kyiv's troops are now planning an incursion into his nation after they launched a cross-border offensive in Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko …

Belarus’ authoritarian president pardons German man sentenced to death on terrorism charges
8 months ago

Belarus’ authoritarian president pardons German man sentenced to death on terrorism charges

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarus’ authoritarian leader on Tuesday granted a pardon to a German citizen who had been sentenced to death on terrorism charges. Krieger’s lawyer Vladimir Gorbach, who took part in the meeting, told the Belarusian state TV that Lukashenko said he would consider Krieger’s request for pardon and announce his decision later. Pavel Sapelka of Belarus’ Viasna human …

Belarus frees head of banned party as Lukashenko slowly releases some political prisoners
8 months, 1 week ago

Belarus frees head of banned party as Lukashenko slowly releases some political prisoners

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — The head of a banned Belarusian opposition party who had been behind bars for two years was released on Monday as the authoritarian country frees a trickle of political prisoners, according to the respected human rights group Viasna. Lukashenko announced an amnesty in early July for some seriously ill political prisoners, and 19 have been released so …

Key events in Alexander Lukashenko’s 30 years as the iron-fisted leader of Belarus
8 months, 1 week ago

Key events in Alexander Lukashenko’s 30 years as the iron-fisted leader of Belarus

Associated Press  

Key events in the 30-year rule of Belarus’ hard-line President Alexander Lukashenko: July 20, 1994 — Lukashenko is inaugurated as president after a landslide victory in what international observers say was the post-Soviet country’s first and only genuinely free election. 1996 — Alarmed by Lukashenko’s increasingly authoritarian turn, thousands of protesters fill the streets in what became known as the …

Leader of Belarus marks 30 years in power after crushing all dissent and cozying up to Moscow
8 months, 1 week ago

Leader of Belarus marks 30 years in power after crushing all dissent and cozying up to Moscow

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Lukashenko has turned Belarus into a fragment of the USSR, …

Leader of Belarus marks 30 years in power after crushing all dissent and cozying up to Moscow
8 months, 1 week ago

Leader of Belarus marks 30 years in power after crushing all dissent and cozying up to Moscow

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — For three decades, European leaders have come and gone by the dozens, but Alexander Lukashenko remains in absolute control of Belarus. “Lukashenko has turned Belarus into a fragment of the USSR, dangerous not only for its own citizens but also threatening its Western neighbors with nuclear weapons,” said independent political analyst Valery Karbalevich. He describes the Belarusian …

Belarus’ authoritarian leader names new foreign minister and reshuffles other top officials
9 months ago

Belarus’ authoritarian leader names new foreign minister and reshuffles other top officials

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday reshuffled his top officials in what observers saw as part of maneuvering ahead of the 2025 presidential election. As part of the government changes announced Thursday, Lukashenko named Maksim Ryzhankou as the new foreign minister to replace Sergei Aleinik, who had spent less than two years on the job. Pavel Latushkа, …

Belarus’ election reinforces the authoritarian leader’s 30-year rule. Only loyalists could run
1 year, 1 month ago

Belarus’ election reinforces the authoritarian leader’s 30-year rule. Only loyalists could run

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarusian authorities on Monday announced preliminary results from parliamentary and local elections in which only candidates loyal to the country’s authoritarian leader were allowed to compete and the opposition called for a boycott. The vote further cemented the 30-year rule of President Alexander Lukashenko, who declared his intention to seek another five-year term in a presidential election …

As Belarusians vote in ‘sham’ polls, Lukashenko reveals re-election plan
1 year, 1 month ago

As Belarusians vote in ‘sham’ polls, Lukashenko reveals re-election plan

Al Jazeera  

As the opposition boycotts the parliamentary and local elections, the president in power since 1994 says he intends to run next year. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has held power since 1994, says he intends to seek re-election next year, which could extend his grip on the country to 36 years. He spoke on Sunday as the country, a neighbour …

As Belarus votes in tightly controlled elections, its leader accuses the West of fueling unrest
1 year, 1 month ago

As Belarus votes in tightly controlled elections, its leader accuses the West of fueling unrest

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — The authoritarian leader of Belarus on Tuesday accused the West of trying to foment protests during parliamentary and local elections this month in order to undermine his rule, while the country’s opposition leader-in-exile denounced the vote as a “cynical farce” and called for its boycott. “Belarusians inside the country hate this regime, but they can’t openly say …

President of Belarus gives himself immunity from prosecution and limits potential challengers
1 year, 2 months ago

President of Belarus gives himself immunity from prosecution and limits potential challengers

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus signed a new law Thursday that gives him lifelong immunity from criminal prosecution and prevents opposition leaders living abroad from running in future presidential elections. The new measure appears aimed at further shoring up Lukashenko’s power and eliminating potential challengers in the country’s next presidential election, which is due to take place …

Putin, Lukashenko to meet after Russia warns about aggression against Belarus
1 year, 8 months ago

Putin, Lukashenko to meet after Russia warns about aggression against Belarus

India Today  

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko will meet on Sunday, the Kremlin said, two days after Moscow warned that any aggression against its neighbour and staunchest ally would be considered an attack on Russia. After Poland decided earlier this week to move military units closer to its border with Belarus in response to the arrival in Belarus …

Lukashenko reveals the astonishing conversations he had at the weekend with Prigozhin
1 year, 9 months ago

Lukashenko reveals the astonishing conversations he had at the weekend with Prigozhin

Daily Mail  

Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko has revealed the astonishing conversations he had at the weekend with Yevgeny Prigozhin, noting that Vladimir Putin was furious that the Wagner chief wouldn't take his calls during the brief uprising. Lukashenko warned Prigozhin that the Kremlin would never fulfill his demand to oust Russian defence miniter Shoigu and the chief of the general staff, General …

Wagner chief Prigozhin has moved to Belarus, its President Alexander Lukashenko says
1 year, 9 months ago

Wagner chief Prigozhin has moved to Belarus, its President Alexander Lukashenko says

The Hindu  

Yevgeny Prigozhin, owner of the private army of prison recruits and other mercenaries who have fought some of the deadliest battles in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, escaped prosecution for his abortive armed rebellion against the Kremlin and is in Belarus, that country’s president said. Like Putin, Lukashenko portrayed the war in Ukraine as an existential threat, saying, “If Russia collapses, …

Belarus role in Russia-Wagner feud ‘boosts Lukashenko’s clout’
1 year, 9 months ago

Belarus role in Russia-Wagner feud ‘boosts Lukashenko’s clout’

Al Jazeera  

President Alexander Lukashenko has trumpeted his ‘peacekeeping’ role in quelling the Wagner mercenary group’s rebellion in Russia, raising questions about his motives. So when Lukashenko’s press service on Saturday night trumpeted his “peacekeeping” role in quelling the Wagner private army’s rebellion in neighbouring Russia, the biggest question was: What’s in it for him? “If Prigozhin stays in Belarus and manages …

Belarus hands lengthy prison terms to 18 participants of 2020 protests
1 year, 9 months ago

Belarus hands lengthy prison terms to 18 participants of 2020 protests

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — A court in Belarus on Wednesday handed lengthy prison terms to 18 participants of mass anti-government protests that shook the country in 2020, the latest step in a brutal years-long effort to stifle all and any dissent. According to the authorities, the protesters formed a resistance movement, attacked law enforcement officers, carried out acts of sabotage and …

Lukashenko health rumours swirl amid claim he was hospitalised after meeting Putin
1 year, 10 months ago

Lukashenko health rumours swirl amid claim he was hospitalised after meeting Putin

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Valery Tsepkalo, a 2020 Belarusian presidential candidate and opposition …

Alexander Lukashenko health: Belarus leader misses key state event prompting ill health rumours
1 year, 10 months ago

Alexander Lukashenko health: Belarus leader misses key state event prompting ill health rumours

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Belarus’s president Alexander Lukashenko has …

US sanctions Belarus’ election officials, president’s plane
2 years ago

US sanctions Belarus’ election officials, president’s plane

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The U.S. imposed sanctions Friday on seven Belarusian elections officials, two state-owned automotive manufacturers and President Alexander Lukashenko’s aircraft. Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus since 1994, intensified his repression after a wave of protests in 2020 following a presidential election that the West and Belarus’ opposition denounced as a sham. Lukashenko’s aircraft, a Boeing 737 that he uses …

Belarus hands exiled opposition leader 15-year jail sentence
2 years ago

Belarus hands exiled opposition leader 15-year jail sentence

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A court in Belarus has …

Belarus to form new paramilitary force amid Ukraine conflict
2 years, 1 month ago

Belarus to form new paramilitary force amid Ukraine conflict

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — Belarus’ authoritarian president said Monday that the ex-Soviet nation will form a new territorial defense force amid the fighting in neighboring Ukraine. President Alexander Lukashenko has cultivated close military ties with Russia, which used Belarusian territory to send troops into Ukraine nearly a year ago at the start of what the Kremlin calls its “special military operation.” Russia …

Belarus will join Ukraine offensive only if attacked: Lukashenko
2 years, 1 month ago

Belarus will join Ukraine offensive only if attacked: Lukashenko

Firstpost  

Minsk: President Alexander Lukashenko said Thursday that Belarus would join the offensives in Ukraine “only if attacked” first by Kyiv’s army. “I’m ready to fight together with the Russians from the territory of Belarus in one case only: if so much as one soldier from comes to our territory with a gun to kill my people,” the veteran strongman told …

Belarus activist gets 25-year sentence for opposing regime
2 years, 5 months ago

Belarus activist gets 25-year sentence for opposing regime

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — A leading Belarusian political activist was handed a 25-year prison sentence on Monday for opposing President Alexander Lukashenko’s regime, the latest move in a relentless crackdown on dissent in the ex-Soviet nation. Investigators accused Autukhovich and others who faced trial alongside him in the western city of Grodno of setting alight a car belonging to a police …

Belarus warns against pushing nuclear-armed Russia ‘into corner’
2 years, 5 months ago

Belarus warns against pushing nuclear-armed Russia ‘into corner’

Al Jazeera  

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, days after reigniting concerns he could commit his army to support Russian forces in Ukraine, has warned against forcing his key ally “into a corner”, saying Russia has nuclear weapons for a reason. You can’t cross them.” In recent weeks, there has been growing concern that Russian President Vladimir Putin may resort to nuclear weapons since …

Belarus sentences journalist to eight years for ‘state treason’
2 years, 8 months ago

Belarus sentences journalist to eight years for ‘state treason’

Al Jazeera  

Belarus has sentenced a journalist, who covered protests against President Alexander Lukashenko, to an additional eight years in prison for “state treason”, according to the channel she worked for. Katerina Bakhvalova – who used the pen name Katerina Andreyeva – was already serving a two-year sentence for “violating public order” and was due to be released in September. “Our colleague …

Volunteers who fled authorities in Belarus fight for Ukraine in hopes it will help change things in their homeland
2 years, 10 months ago

Volunteers who fled authorities in Belarus fight for Ukraine in hopes it will help change things in their homeland

ABC  

One is a restaurateur who fled Belarus when he learned he was about to be arrested for criticising President Alexander Lukashenko. Key points: Mr Lukashenko has stood by his ally Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling Mr Putin his "big brother" After Mr Lukashenko was elected to a sixth term in elections seen as fraudulent, massive street protests were met with …

Belarus urges Russia-led military alliance to unite against West
2 years, 10 months ago

Belarus urges Russia-led military alliance to unite against West

Al Jazeera  

Lukashenko, a key ally of Moscow, accused the West of supporting Nazi ideas and of being ‘at war with Russia’ in Ukraine. “Without a united front, the collective West will build up pressure on the post-Soviet space,” Lukashenko said, addressing President Putin and the leaders of Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Sanctions imposed on Belarus have blocked $16-$18bn worth of …

Discover Related