Belarus leader tells opposition leaders: ‘Repent and kneel’
3 years, 1 month ago

Belarus leader tells opposition leaders: ‘Repent and kneel’

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Belarus’ authoritarian leader on Friday advised exiled opposition activists to “come home, repent and kneel,” while repeating a vague promise to step down if the people “make the decision” for him. In 2020 Lukashenko, who has run Belarus with an iron fist for almost three decades, survived the largest and the most sustained wave of mass protests in the country’s history. Lukashenko on Friday claimed that no more than 10% of the population opposes his rule, and urged opposition activists in exile to come “home, on your knees, groveling.” “My advice to you: come home, repent and kneel,” Lukashenko said. However, the restriction will only take effect once a “newly elected president” assumes office, which gives Lukashenko an opportunity to run for two more terms after his current one expires in 2025.

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History of this topic

Lukashenko in power for 31 years: Why is Belarusian leader called 'Europe's last dictator'?
Trending News
1 month, 3 weeks 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
1 month, 3 weeks 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 …

Belarus strongman Lukashenko secures 7th term with 87.6% of votes: Exit poll
1 month, 3 weeks 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
1 month, 3 weeks 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'
1 month, 3 weeks 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 strongman wins a 7th term in an election the opposition calls a farce
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Belarus strongman wins a 7th term in an election the opposition calls a farce

Associated Press  

The smiling face of President Alexander Lukashenko gazed out from campaign posters across Belarus on Sunday as the country held an orchestrated election virtually guaranteed to give the 70-year-old autocrat yet another term on top of his three decades in power. “It’s better to have a dictatorship like in Belarus than a democracy like Ukraine,” Lukashenko said in his characteristic …

Belarus presidential election: Who’s taking on Lukashenko, does it matter?
1 month, 3 weeks 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 …

Exit poll shows Lukashenko with 87.6% of vote in Belarus presidential race
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Exit poll shows Lukashenko with 87.6% of vote in Belarus presidential race

Al Jazeera  

Longtime leader Alexander Lukashenko is set to win a seventh term as he runs unopposed by genuine challengers. Sunday’s vote was the country’s first presidential election since Lukashenko crushed mass protests against his government in 2020 and permitted Russia to use Belarusian territory for its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. ‘Tough democracy’ Speaking to reporters after casting his ballot in …

Belarus election is poised to extend 30-year rule of ‘Europe’s last dictator’
1 month, 3 weeks 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. …

Belarus: Pro-Putin Lukashenko eyes another term in election rivals dub as ‘sham’
1 month, 3 weeks 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’
1 month, 3 weeks 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 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, 1 week 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 …

Belarus's Lukashenko pardons 31 people convicted over 'extremism'
4 months, 2 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, 2 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
5 months, 3 weeks 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 frees head of banned party as Lukashenko slowly releases some political prisoners
8 months 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 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 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 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
8 months, 3 weeks 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, …

Hungary’s foreign minister visits Belarus despite EU sanctions, talks about expanding ties
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Hungary’s foreign minister visits Belarus despite EU sanctions, talks about expanding ties

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Hungary’s top diplomat visited Belarus on Wednesday for talks on expanding ties despite the European Union’s sanctions against the country. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó declared that “our position is clear: the fewer sanctions, the more cooperation!” The EU has slapped an array of sweeping sanctions on Belarus for the repression, which followed mass protests fueled by …

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

Belarusians vote in a tightly controlled election as the opposition calls for its boycott
1 year ago

Belarusians vote in a tightly controlled election as the opposition calls for its boycott

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Sunday’s tightly controlled parliamentary and local elections in Belarus are set to cement the hard-line rule of the country’s authoritarian leader, despite a prominent opposition leader’s call for a boycott. “Detentions, arrests and searches are taking place during the vote.” Speaking during Tuesday’s meeting with top Belarusian law enforcement officials, Lukashenko alleged without offering evidence that Western …

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

Belarus bans citizens from renewing passports abroad, spreading fear among those who fled repression
1 year, 6 months ago

Belarus bans citizens from renewing passports abroad, spreading fear among those who fled repression

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarus’ authoritarian president on Tuesday banned citizens from renewing their passports while staying abroad, which could force those who fled the country amid growing repression to return to maintain their travel documents. An estimated 200-300,000 Belarusians have left the country in the last three years since massive protests against an election that returned President Alexander Lukashenko to …

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 …

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
1 year, 11 months 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 …

UN rights chief decries ‘systematic repression’ in Belarus
2 years ago

UN rights chief decries ‘systematic repression’ in Belarus

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The U.N. human rights chief called on Belarus Friday to end its “systematic repression” of critics and immediately release people held on political grounds, saying some violations may amount to crimes against humanity. Authorities targeted opposition activists, journalists, medical workers, members of shooting sports clubs and people working with drones, according to Viasna, Belarus’ oldest and most prominent …

Belarus sentences exiled opposition leader to 15 years
2 years ago

Belarus sentences exiled opposition leader to 15 years

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — A court in Belarus on Monday sentenced exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to 15 years in prison after a trial in absentia on charges including conspiring to overthrow the government, the latest move in a months-long effort by the Belarusian government to suppress dissent. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric, asked whether Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had any reaction to …

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 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 opposition hopeful at Russian setbacks in Ukraine
2 years, 5 months ago

Belarus opposition hopeful at Russian setbacks in Ukraine

Associated Press  

WARSAW, Poland — Belarus’ opposition leader said Wednesday that she believes Russian military setbacks in Ukraine could shake the hold on power of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. It won’t be able to prop Lukashenko up with money and military support as in 2020,” said Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, speaking at a security conference in Warsaw. Tsikhanouskaya fled to Lithuania after Russian ally …

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, 9 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 …

UN calls for release of 1,000 political prisoners held in Belarus
3 years ago

UN calls for release of 1,000 political prisoners held in Belarus

Al Jazeera  

Michelle Bachelet, the UN human rights chief, calls for the release of activists, opposition members and journalists from the Belarusian jails. The UN human rights chief has said that more than 1,000 activists, opposition members and journalists are being detained on “politically motivated charges” in Belarus and called for their release. Michelle Bachelet on Thursday said the government of President …

While Ukraine is resisting Putin, Belarus is becoming his puppet
3 years ago

While Ukraine is resisting Putin, Belarus is becoming his puppet

Al Jazeera  

The events of the past days demonstrate that Lukashenko is increasingly losing decision-making power to the Kremlin. Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei pledged that all Russian troops would leave Belarus after the Russia-Belarus military exercises “Union Resolve” concluded. Although for the time being there have been no confirmed reports of Belarusian armed forces fighting alongside Russian ones, Lukashenko recently stated …

Who is Europe’s ‘last dictator’ Alexander Lukashenko?
3 years ago

Who is Europe’s ‘last dictator’ Alexander Lukashenko?

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. Prior to open warfare erupting last week, the country’s …

Belarus calls referendum that could strengthen Lukashenko
3 years, 2 months ago

Belarus calls referendum that could strengthen Lukashenko

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Belarus’ authoritarian president has called a referendum next month on constitutional amendments, which could allow him to further cement his grip on power after months of mass protests and remain in office until 2035. The amendments bring back limits on presidential terms that had been abolished during Lukashenko’s tenure, allowing a president only two five-year terms in …

Changes to Belarusian Constitution may extend leader’s rule
3 years, 2 months ago

Changes to Belarusian Constitution may extend leader’s rule

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Belarus’ authorities on Monday released a draft document proposing amendments to the country’s constitution that may allow authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko to further cement his grip on power after months of mass protests and remain in office until 2035. The proposed constitutional changes were being drafted during the turmoil, when Lukashenko realized “that he lost the support …

Belarus hands opposition leader’s husband 18 years in prison
3 years, 3 months ago

Belarus hands opposition leader’s husband 18 years in prison

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — A court in Belarus on Tuesday sentenced the husband of the country’s opposition leader to 18 years in prison, six months after the trial began behind closed doors. “I don’t have the right to tell my children that they won’t see their father for so many years, because I don’t believe it myself.” Siarhei Tsikhanouski has already …

Europe’s ‘last dictator’: Who is Belarus’s Alexander Lukashenko?
3 years, 3 months ago

Europe’s ‘last dictator’: Who is Belarus’s Alexander Lukashenko?

Al Jazeera  

A brief history of the country’s first and only president accused of masterminding a new migration crisis. Dubbed “Europe’s last dictator” 20 years ago at a time when Putin was seen as a pro-Western political newcomer, Lukashenko is used to withstanding Western criticism and sanctions. “Lukashenko’s crisis is caused by the nullification of these factors – he still controls the …

Opinion: One of us was tortured for fighting a dictator. The other was fired for blowing the whistle on Donald Trump
3 years, 4 months ago

Opinion: One of us was tortured for fighting a dictator. The other was fired for blowing the whistle on Donald Trump

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Alexander Vindman, a retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel, is a doctoral student at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, the author of the memoir, “Here, Right Matters” and a Renew Democracy Initiative board member. He sacrificed his military career when he reported former President Donald Trump’s threats to withhold support from Ukraine if Ukrainian President Volodymyr …

‘Europe’s last dictator’ raises the stakes with the West
3 years, 4 months ago

‘Europe’s last dictator’ raises the stakes with the West

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — For most of his 27 years as Belarus’ authoritarian president, Alexander Lukashenko’s repressions and truculent statements frequently offended the West. His disdain for democratic norms and the country’s dismal human rights record has made Belarus a pariah in the West, bringing him the sobriquet of “Europe’s last dictator.” The 67-year-old Lukashenko prefers to be styled as “Batka” — …

Belarus court gives opposition activists lengthy sentences
3 years, 6 months ago

Belarus court gives opposition activists lengthy sentences

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — A court in Belarus on Monday sentenced two leading opposition activists to lengthy prison terms, the latest move in the relentless crackdown that Belarusian authorities have unleashed on dissent in the wake of last year’s anti-government protests. “It’s not a verdict, but rather the revenge of the authorities.” Belarus was rocked by months of protests fueled by …

Belarus closes journalist organization, continuing crackdown
3 years, 6 months ago

Belarus closes journalist organization, continuing crackdown

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Belarus has ordered the closure of the country’s largest independent journalists’ organization, the latest move by authorities to suppress critical reporting in a yearlong crackdown on dissent. Friday’s order by the country’s supreme court to liquidate the Belarusian Association of Journalists follows the jailing of some 30 journalists, raids on newspaper offices, blocking the websites of major …

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