Belarus President Is Secretly Inaugurated Weeks After Disputed Election
4 years, 3 months ago

Belarus President Is Secretly Inaugurated Weeks After Disputed Election

NPR  

Belarus President Is Secretly Inaugurated Weeks After Disputed Election Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrei Stasevich/BelTA/Tass Andrei Stasevich/BelTA/Tass In a secret ceremony, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was sworn in for a sixth term Wednesday in the capital amid nationwide protests and international outrage over his August reelection in a vote widely viewed as fraudulent. The August vote, which the U.S. and its European allies have said was neither free nor fair, risks elevating an already isolated Belarus to the level of pariah state, with Russia as Lukashenko's main supporter. However, hundreds of Russian airborne troops parachuted into Belarus on Wednesday as part of joint military exercises dubbed "Slavic Brotherhood," according to Russia's defense ministry. "Russia is strengthening and modernizing its military capacity close to the Latvian border and Belarus is also involved in these activities," Latvian Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Artis Pabriks said in a statement Tuesday that was reported by Bloomberg.

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History of this topic

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

Key events in Alexander Lukashenko’s 30 years as the iron-fisted leader of Belarus
5 months, 3 weeks 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 …

Belarus’ authoritarian leader names new foreign minister and reshuffles other top officials
6 months, 1 week 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
10 months, 2 weeks 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
10 months, 2 weeks 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
10 months, 2 weeks 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 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 …

Alexander Lukashenko health: Belarus leader misses key state event prompting ill health rumours
1 year, 7 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 …

Who is Europe’s ‘last dictator’ Alexander Lukashenko?
2 years, 10 months 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 says could host nuclear weapons if faces Western threat
2 years, 10 months ago

Belarus says could host nuclear weapons if faces Western threat

The Hindu  

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday his country could host nuclear weapons if it faces any external threats, as tensions soar between his ally Russia and the West over Ukraine. "If necessary, if such stupid and mindless steps are taken by our rivals and opponents, we will deploy not only nuclear weapons, but super-nuclear and up-and-coming ones to protect …

Europe’s ‘last dictator’: Who is Belarus’s Alexander Lukashenko?
3 years, 1 month 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, 1 month 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, 1 month 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” — …

Dictator or ‘Dad’? Belarus leader suppresses all dissent
3 years, 7 months ago

Dictator or ‘Dad’? Belarus leader suppresses all dissent

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — When Alexander Lukashenko became its president in 1994, Belarus was an obscure country that had not even existed for three years. His disdain for democratic norms and country’s dismal human rights record has made Belarus a pariah in the West, bringing him the sobriquet of “Europe’s last dictator.” The 66-year-old Lukashenko prefers to be styled as “Batka” — …

Opponent Of Belarus' Authoritarian President Arrested After Flight Diverted To Country
3 years, 7 months ago

Opponent Of Belarus' Authoritarian President Arrested After Flight Diverted To Country

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING KYIV, Ukraine — A prominent opponent of Belarus’ authoritarian president was arrested Sunday after the airliner in which he was traveling was diverted to the country after a bomb threat, in what the opposition is calling a hijacking operation by the government. The presidential press service said President Alexander Lukashenko personally ordered that a MiG-29 fighter jet …

IOC suspends Belarus president Lukashenko from Olympic Games
4 years, 1 month ago

IOC suspends Belarus president Lukashenko from Olympic Games

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The IOC suspended the authoritarian president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, from all Olympic activities on Monday including the Tokyo Games next year. IOC president Thomas Bach said after a board meeting on Monday that the Belarus Olympic body’s leadership “has not appropriately protected Belarus athletes from political discrimination” within national sports organizations. Viktor Lukashenko, the president’s son and …

Belarus president plans to leave job under new constitution
4 years, 1 month ago

Belarus president plans to leave job under new constitution

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — The president of Belarus said Friday that he would not remain in the post he has held for more than 26 years if his country adopts a new constitution. However, President Alexander Lukashenko did not describe the amendments he is seeking or give a timeline for when a new constitution might be adopted. Lukashenko has repeatedly raised …

Western nations decry Belarus crackdown at UN rights review
4 years, 2 months ago

Western nations decry Belarus crackdown at UN rights review

Associated Press  

GENEVA — Western nations decried arbitrary arrests and other forms of repression in Belarus during a review of its record at the U.N.’s top human rights body on Monday, with the U.S. ambassador calling on authorities there to halt a “brutal crackdown.” The comments on Belarus came during a process known as the Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights …

Long-time Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko 'must go', says French president Emmanuel Macron
4 years, 3 months ago

Long-time Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko 'must go', says French president Emmanuel Macron

Firstpost  

Thousands of Belarusians have taken part in huge rallies since the 9 August presidential election, which they say was rigged in favor of Lukashenko Paris: France is stepping up the pressure on Belarus’ longtime leader Alexander Lukashenko, with President Emmanuel Macron telling a prominent French weekly that “Lukashenko must go.” The European Union said on Thursday it does not recognize …

Belarus president sworn in at unannounced inaugural ceremony
4 years, 3 months ago

Belarus president sworn in at unannounced inaugural ceremony

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus was sworn in Wednesday to his sixth term in office at an inaugural ceremony that was not announced in advance amid weeks of huge protests of the authoritarian leader’s reelection, which the opposition says was rigged. One opposition leader called the secretive ceremony “a farce,” and several European countries reiterated that they …

Belarus: Alexander Lukashenko inaugurated as Belarus President
4 years, 3 months ago

Belarus: Alexander Lukashenko inaugurated as Belarus President

CNN  

Minsk CNN — Embattled Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has been inaugurated as President, state media reported, as protests continue over his hotly-disputed election win. Opposition politicians described the ceremony as a “thieves’ meeting” and a “farce.” The opposition Coordination Council, set up to facilitate a transfer of power, urged members of the international community Wednesday to support its members and …

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko abruptly sworn in for new presidential term
4 years, 3 months ago

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko abruptly sworn in for new presidential term

ABC  

The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, has been sworn in for a new term in a sudden inauguration conducted with no prior announcement, according to official news agency Beltra. Key points: Alexander Lukashenko will begin his sixth term after officially claiming 80 per cent of the vote Mr Lukashenko's strongest election opponent got 10 per cent of the vote There …

Belarus president closes some borders, puts army on alert
4 years, 3 months ago

Belarus president closes some borders, puts army on alert

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Belarus’ president, beleaguered by six weeks of mass protests demanding his resignation, on Thursday announced he was putting troops on high alert and closing the country’s borders with Poland and Lithuania. “We are forced to withdraw troops from the streets, put the army on high alert and close the state border on the west, primarily with Lithuania …

Amid Democratic Street Uprising, Belarusian Strongman Gets Support From Russia
4 years, 3 months ago

Amid Democratic Street Uprising, Belarusian Strongman Gets Support From Russia

NPR  

Amid Democratic Street Uprising, Belarusian Strongman Gets Support From Russia Enlarge this image toggle caption Kremlin press office handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Kremlin press office handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Russian President Vladimir Putin provided a limited lifeline to Alexander Lukashenko as the Belarusian strongman paid a visit to the Russian city of Sochi on Monday amid the biggest …

Belarus: The West can gnash its teeth. But there’s little it can do to change things
4 years, 4 months ago

Belarus: The West can gnash its teeth. But there’s little it can do to change things

CNN  

CNN — One by one, the leaders of the protest movement in Belarus are being taken out of circulation. Exactly a month after a hotly disputed election, Belarus’ long-time leader, President Alexander Lukashenko, is trying to “disrupt the opposition’s ability to sustain large-scale protests by arresting or expelling all organizers,” according to the Institute for the Study of War in …

Belarus opposition challenger to address UN Security Council
4 years, 4 months ago

Belarus opposition challenger to address UN Security Council

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — The main opposition challenger in Belarus’ disputed presidential election, which has triggered mass protests, will address an informal meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Friday. Estonia’s U.N. ambassador, Sven Jurgenson, said Tuesday that Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who fled to Lithuania under pressure from Belarus authorities, will speak to the U.N.’s most powerful body at a meeting focusing …

PHOTOS: Belarus' Massive And Unprecedented Protests
4 years, 4 months ago

PHOTOS: Belarus' Massive And Unprecedented Protests

NPR  

PHOTOS: Belarus' Massive And Unprecedented Protests Enlarge this image toggle caption Getty Images; Sergei Gapon/AFP via Getty Images; Dmitri Lovetsky/AP Getty Images; Sergei Gapon/AFP via Getty Images; Dmitri Lovetsky/AP Nearly two weeks after an Aug. 9 election kept Belarus' authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko in power amid accusations of vote-rigging, massive protests against Lukashenko continue and neither side is backing down. …

European Union does not recognise Belarus election results, tighten sanctions
4 years, 4 months ago

European Union does not recognise Belarus election results, tighten sanctions

ABC  

The European Union says it does not recognise the results of the recent Belarus presidential election and will impose sanctions on those responsible for defrauding this month's poll. Key points: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said violence in Belarus must stop The Commission will direct 53 million euros away from the Belarus government EU Industry Commissioner Thierry Breton …

Belarus president remains defiant as protest strikes grow
4 years, 4 months ago

Belarus president remains defiant as protest strikes grow

Associated Press  

MINSK, Belarus — More workers in Belarus joined a widening strike Tuesday to press for the resignation of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has extended his 26-year rule in an election the opposition says was rigged. During Monday’s visit to a factory in Minsk he was heckled and jeered by workers shouting “Go away!” “The authorities should understand that they …

Belarus protesters gather as President Alexander Lukashenko rejects calls to rerun vote
4 years, 4 months ago

Belarus protesters gather as President Alexander Lukashenko rejects calls to rerun vote

ABC  

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has vehemently rejected any possibility of holding a rerun of a questionable election that gave him a sixth term in a landslide, despite pressure from massive protests. Key points: A large crowd has come out to support Mr Lukashenko ahead of a speech in a public square He has claimed Western powers are meddling in the …

Belarus protests continue as Alexander Lukashenko says Russia's Vladimir Putin has agreed to help secure the country
4 years, 4 months ago

Belarus protests continue as Alexander Lukashenko says Russia's Vladimir Putin has agreed to help secure the country

ABC  

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said he secured a pledge in a phone call with President Vladimir Putin for Russia to provide comprehensive assistance if needed to ensure the security of his troubled country. Key points: Russia sees Belarus as a strategic buffer against NATO and the EU Russia recently scaled back subsidies that propped up Mr Lukashenko's government The EU …

Belarus leader calls Putin to reaffirm mutual cooperation, later rejects foreign mediation offers
4 years, 4 months ago

Belarus leader calls Putin to reaffirm mutual cooperation, later rejects foreign mediation offers

CNN  

Minsk, Belarus Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Saturday rejected foreign mediation offers to help stabilize the volatile situation in his country. But reached out to Russian President Vladimir Putin with a call, and both men expressed confidence that the situation would "be resolved soon," according to a read out of the call published by the Kremlin. Lukashenko, who has been …

Belarus president says Putin ready to help ‘ensure security’
4 years, 4 months ago

Belarus president says Putin ready to help ‘ensure security’

Al Jazeera  

Comments by President Alexander Lukashenko come as thousands gather in Minsk to remember man killed during protests. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko says his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, has agreed to help to “ensure the security” of the country if needed as thousands of people continue to hold peaceful protests against his rule. Facing the biggest challenge to his rule since …

Belarus election: Protests over disputed Lukashenko result
4 years, 4 months ago

Belarus election: Protests over disputed Lukashenko result

CNN  

CNN — Belarus’ main opposition candidate has rejected preliminary election results giving the country’s longtime President a landslide victory, as protests flared up for a second night. NetBlocks, an NGO that tracks internet shutdowns worldwide, said in a tweet Monday: “It has been almost 24 hours since Belarus fell largely offline after a series of worsening internet disruptions during Sunday’s …

Alexander Lukashenko, ‘Europe’s last dictator,’ wins sixth term in Belarus election
4 years, 4 months ago

Alexander Lukashenko, ‘Europe’s last dictator,’ wins sixth term in Belarus election

LA Times  

Protesters in Minsk, Belarus, carry a wounded man during clashes with police early Monday after the country’s presidential election. Election officials in Belarus said Monday that President Alexander Lukashenko — often referred to as “Europe’s last dictator” — had won his sixth consecutive term, taking more than 80% of the vote amid protests fueled by frustration with the country’s deteriorating …

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