Exiled Belarus opposition leader demands news of her imprisoned husband
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Exiled Belarus opposition leader demands news of her imprisoned husband

Associated Press  

VILNIUS, Lithuania — Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on Friday marched to the country’s embassy in Lithuania, holding a photo of her imprisoned husband and demanding information about him after a year of being incommunicado. Tsikhanouski has been behind bars since being arrested in 2020 after announcing plans to challenge authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko in that year’s election. The head of Babaryka’s campaign headquarters, Maria Kolesnikova, was arrested amid huge protests that broke out following the announcement that Lukashenko had won the August 2020 election and also has not been able to communicate. The Belarusian human rights group Viasna counts more than 1,400 political prisoners in the country, including the group’s founder, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski.

Belarus Lithuania Lukashenko Belarusian Tsikhanouski Imprisoned Opposition  husband  belarus  arrested  lithuania  country  tsikhanouskaya  election  belarusian  leader  tsikhanouski  protests  lukashenko  exiled  imprisoned  opposition  demands

History of this topic

Belarus court jails journalist for four years for criticizing authoritarian president
Trending News
1 week, 6 days ago

Belarus court jails journalist for four years for criticizing authoritarian president

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — A Belarusian journalist has been sentenced to four years in prison for her critical reports chronicling a sweeping crackdown on dissent launched by the country’s authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko. The Minsk City Court convicted Volha Radzivonava on Tuesday on charges of “insulting the president” and “discrediting Belarus” and sentenced her to four years in prison. “The authorities …

Belarusian authorities launch a new wave of repression ahead of presidential vote
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Belarusian authorities launch a new wave of repression ahead of presidential vote

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarusian authorities have launched a new wave of arrests, seeking to uproot any sign of dissent ahead of January’s election in which authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko is seeking a seventh term, rights campaigners said. “The new massive wave of arrests and searches is a planned action of intimidation ahead of the election,” said Viasna’s representative Pavel Sapelka. …

Lithuania refers Belarus to the ICC, alleging crimes against humanity over opposition crackdown
2 months, 3 weeks ago

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

Hindustan Times  

BRUSSELS — Lithuania on Monday referred the hard-line president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, members of his government, security officials and military officers to the International Criminal Court, accusing them of committing crimes against humanity by forcing their own people to flee the country. Lithuania refers Belarus to the ICC, alleging crimes against humanity over opposition crackdown Opposition groups in Belarus …

Belarus’ authoritarian leader pardons 30 out of some 1,400 political prisoners
4 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 …

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

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

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 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. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó …

Hungary’s foreign minister visits Belarus despite EU sanctions, talks about expanding ties
6 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 …

Exiled Belarus opposition leader says she hasn’t heard from her imprisoned husband for over 400 days
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Exiled Belarus opposition leader says she hasn’t heard from her imprisoned husband for over 400 days

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarus’ exiled opposition leader said Thursday that she hasn’t heard from her imprisoned husband for 421 days. They include Maria Kolesnikova, a leading opposition figure serving an 11-year prison sentence who hasn’t been heard from for 443 days, Mikola Statkevich, an opposition activist whose relatives haven’t heard from him for 448 days and lawyer Maxim Znak who …

The family of imprisoned Belarusian opposition figure hasn’t heard from her for over 400 days
8 months ago

The family of imprisoned Belarusian opposition figure hasn’t heard from her for over 400 days

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — It’s been 434 days since the family of imprisoned Belarusian opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova heard from her, her relatives said Wednesday, on the activist’s 42nd birthday. Kolesnikova, who is serving 11 years in prison for helping organize anti-government protests in Belarus in 2020, and other imprisoned opposition figures have been held incommunicado for months on end, raising …

The family of imprisoned Belarusian opposition figure hasn’t heard from her for a year
10 months, 1 week ago

The family of imprisoned Belarusian opposition figure hasn’t heard from her for a year

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — It’s been a year since the family of imprisoned Belarusian opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova received a letter from her, and no one has seen or heard from her since then, her relatives and Western officials said Wednesday. Kolesnikova, who is serving 11 years in prison for helping organize anti-government protests in Belarus in 2020, and other imprisoned …

In Belarus, a dissident novelist’s father is jailed for two weeks for reposting an article
1 year, 1 month ago

In Belarus, a dissident novelist’s father is jailed for two weeks for reposting an article

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — A noted Belarusian dissident author said Friday that his father has been sentenced to two weeks in jail for reposting an article from an opposition website. Alexander Filipenko was seized by police Thursday in a raid on his apartment and later “given 13 days for reposting some kind of article from Zerkalo,” his son Sasha Filipenko said …

Belarus arrests a prominent journalist in its continued crackdown on dissent
1 year, 5 months ago

Belarus arrests a prominent journalist in its continued crackdown on dissent

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Authorities in Belarus have arrested a prominent journalist who has written for the U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the latest step in a yearslong crackdown on opposition figures, independent journalists and human rights activists. Belarus’ oldest and most prominent human rights group, Viasna, reported that Karnei has been placed in the Akrestina pretrial detention center, notorious for …

Belarusian journalist faces up to 6 years in prison for opposition reporting
1 year, 5 months ago

Belarusian journalist faces up to 6 years in prison for opposition reporting

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — A prominent journalist went on trial in Belarus Monday, the latest step in a years-long crackdown on opposition figures, independent journalists and human rights activists. The Belarusian authorities have labeled Belsat as “extremist.” Journalists and activists in Belarus have faced large-scale repression since the August 2020 vote that handed a sixth term to President Alexander Lukashenko. Mazheika …

Belarus opposition leader says anonymous message alleges that her husband died in prison
1 year, 5 months ago

Belarus opposition leader says anonymous message alleges that her husband died in prison

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said Tuesday that she had received an anonymous message alleging that her imprisoned husband, also an opposition figure, died behind bars. Siarhei Tsikhanouski, 44, a popular blogger and opposition activist, was arrested in 2020 after announcing plans to run against Belarus’ authoritarian leader, Alexander Lukashenko, in presidential elections that year. She added …

Belarusian dissident who was pulled off forced-down plane says he has been pardoned
1 year, 7 months ago

Belarusian dissident who was pulled off forced-down plane says he has been pardoned

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — The Belarusian state news agency on Monday reported that a dissident journalist who was pulled off a flight that was forced to land in the country and was later sentenced to eight years in prison says he has received a presidential pardon. He ran a Telegram messaging app channel that was widely used by participants in mass …

This woman could have stopped Vladimir Putin invading Ukraine. Now she's in exile and a jail sentence awaits her in Belarus
1 year, 8 months ago

This woman could have stopped Vladimir Putin invading Ukraine. Now she's in exile and a jail sentence awaits her in Belarus

ABC  

It's the European country that jails journalists, presidential candidates and human rights activists, including last year's Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski. "In 2020, Lukashenko managed to stay in power only thanks to violence and thanks to the support of Putin and he had to show his loyalty," Ms Tsikhanouskaya says. Exiled Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya holds a picture of her husband …

UN rights chief decries ‘systematic repression’ in Belarus
1 year, 9 months 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 court sentences exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to prison
1 year, 9 months ago

Belarus court sentences exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to prison

Deccan Chronicle  

Minsk : A Belarusian court has sentenced the country's exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to 15 years in prison. Another prominent opponent, Pavel Latushko, was sentenced to 18 years in prison, and three others were sentenced to 12 years in prison, Euro News reported citing state news agency Belta and the human rights organisation Viasna. Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya …

Belarus sentences exiled opposition leader to 15 years
1 year, 9 months 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 …

Belarusian opposition leader handed 15-year prison term
1 year, 9 months ago

Belarusian opposition leader handed 15-year prison term

Al Jazeera  

Minsk court convicts Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in absentia on charges of treason and conspiracy to seize power. Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has been handed a 15-year prison term after being convicted in absentia of treason and conspiracy to seize power, a verdict she says is punishment for her efforts to promote democracy. The authorities put Tsikhanouskaya, the opposition’s de …

Hungary FM’s Belarus visit 1st from EU country since 2020
1 year, 10 months ago

Hungary FM’s Belarus visit 1st from EU country since 2020

Associated Press  

TALLINN, Estonia — Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto on Monday became the first senior official from a European Union country to visit Belarus since the authoritarian Belarusian regime imposed a harsh crackdown on opposition in 2020. The EU has slapped an array of sanctions on the country already, both for the repression that followed mass protests against the 2020 presidential …

Belarus sentences dissident’s girlfriend to six years in prison
2 years, 7 months ago

Belarus sentences dissident’s girlfriend to six years in prison

Al Jazeera  

Sofia Sapega, whose flight was forced to land in Belarus last year, was convicted for inciting social hatred. A Belarusian court sentenced Sofia Sapega, the girlfriend of a dissident arrested after their commercial flight was forced to land in Belarus last year, to six years in prison on Friday for inciting social hatred, according to the Viasna Human Rights Center. …

Belarus hands opposition leader’s husband 18 years in prison
3 years 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 …

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

Belarus hands opposition leader’s husband 18 years in prison

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington 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. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A …

Belarus court gives opposition activists lengthy sentences
3 years, 3 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 …

Belarusian opposition activists given lengthy prison terms as crackdown continues
3 years, 3 months ago

Belarusian opposition activists given lengthy prison terms as crackdown continues

LA Times  

A court in Belarus on Monday sentenced two leading opposition activists to lengthy prison terms, the latest move in the authorities’ relentless crackdown on dissent in the wake of last year’s anti-government protests. Kolesnikova, who helped coordinate months-long opposition protests that erupted after an August 2020 presidential vote, resisted authorities’ attempts to force her to leave the country. Kolesnikova then …

Belarus runner used quick thinking to avoid being sent home
3 years, 4 months ago

Belarus runner used quick thinking to avoid being sent home

Associated Press  

WARSAW, Poland — A Belarusian Olympic sprinter who feared reprisals back home after publicly criticizing her coaches at the Tokyo Games used quick thinking to get help, using her phone to translate a plea and show it to Japanese police as she tried to avoid being forced onto a plane. The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, tweeted to …

‘Freedom is worth fighting for’: Belarus activists go on trial
3 years, 4 months ago

‘Freedom is worth fighting for’: Belarus activists go on trial

Al Jazeera  

Key opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova is accused of conspiring to seize power over her role in anti-government protests. Leading members of the Belarusian opposition went on trial on Wednesday, part of a multi-pronged crackdown on dissent in the ex-Soviet nation that was rocked by months of protests over a disputed presidential election. The trial of Kolesnikova and lawyer Maxim Znak, …

Belarus opposition leader seeks new US, European sanctions
3 years, 4 months ago

Belarus opposition leader seeks new US, European sanctions

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — The leader of Belarus’ embattled opposition hopes the United States and Europe will impose new sanctions on money-making government enterprises that will lead to the collapse of President Alexander Lukashenko’s regime and a peaceful transition that pro-democracy supporters are preparing for because “it can happen very fast.” Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the main opposition challenger to Lukashenko in last …

Jailed Belarusian journalist and girlfriend moved from jail to house arrest but still considered 'hostages'
3 years, 5 months ago

Jailed Belarusian journalist and girlfriend moved from jail to house arrest but still considered 'hostages'

ABC  

A dissident Belarusian journalist and his Russian girlfriend have been transferred from jail to house arrest — a move the country's exiled opposition leader said was positive but still left them "hostages." Key points: Raman Pratasevich faces 15 years in prison He and his girlfriend have been moved to separate house arrest after cooperating with investigators The US, EU, Britain …

Arrested Belarus dissident weeps in interview on state TV
3 years, 6 months ago

Arrested Belarus dissident weeps in interview on state TV

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — The dissident Belarusian journalist and opposition activist who was arrested after his airline flight was diverted to Minsk wept Thursday in an interview on state television, saying he was fully cooperating with investigators and declaring that he respects the authoritarian president he opposed for years. Asked by the interviewer if he respects Lukashenko, Pratasevich said “certainly.” Pratsevich, …

Roman Protasevich: Who is the journalist arrested by Belarus?
3 years, 7 months ago

Roman Protasevich: Who is the journalist arrested by Belarus?

Al Jazeera  

The dissident 26-year-old, who had been living in exile, began his work in digital activism as a teenaged student. The news led to international condemnation with some European leaders calling the move a “hijacking” as the bloc was set on Monday to discuss toughening existing sanctions against Belarus, imposed over President Alexander Lukashenko’s crackdown on opposition protesters last year. In …

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 …

Belarus Intercepts Flight Carrying Opposition Activist
3 years, 7 months ago

Belarus Intercepts Flight Carrying Opposition Activist

NPR  

Belarus Intercepts Flight Carrying Opposition Activist The authorities in Belarus forced a passenger flight to land in the capital of Minsk and then detained an opposition leader who was one of the passengers on board. Ryanair says that while the plane was over Belarusian airspace, air traffic control notified the crew of a potential security threat on board and ordered …

Belarus opposition leader in Slovenia before EU presidency
3 years, 7 months ago

Belarus opposition leader in Slovenia before EU presidency

Associated Press  

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia — The exiled Belarusian opposition leader on Monday called for sustained international focus on the struggle for democracy in her country against long-ruling authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko. “It is extremely important to keep Belarus high in agenda on international level with our difficult fight for democratic changes,” Tsikhanouskaya said after a meeting with Slovenia’s foreign minister, Anze Logar. …

US ambassador to Belarus meets exiled opposition leader
3 years, 8 months ago

US ambassador to Belarus meets exiled opposition leader

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — New United States ambassador to Belarus Julie Fisher met with the country’s exiled opposition leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, in neighboring Lithuania’s capital on Wednesday. Julie Fisher, who in December was appointed the first U.S. ambassador to Belarus since 2008, met with Tsikhanouskaya on the eve of Lukashenko’s talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ambassador to Belarus, my priority …

Lithuania refuses to extradite Belarus opposition figure
3 years, 9 months ago

Lithuania refuses to extradite Belarus opposition figure

Associated Press  

VILNIUS, Lithuania — Lithuania on Friday refused to extradite to Belarus opposition figure Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, with the Baltic nation’s foreign minister saying “hell will freeze over first” before the demand by Belarus’ authoritarian leader is granted. Unprecedented mass protests demanding Lukashenko’s resignation rocked Belarus for several months. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said that in his country people seeking shelter …

Belarus asks Lithuania to extradite opposition leader
3 years, 9 months ago

Belarus asks Lithuania to extradite opposition leader

Al Jazeera  

Belarus says it has requested the extradition of exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who was forced from the country last year amid a crackdown on critics of leader Alexander Lukashenko. Tikhanovskaya, who challenged Lukashenko in a presidential vote last August that the opposition denounced as rigged, sought refuge in neighbouring Lithuania as Lukashenko moved to stifle dissent in the wake …

Russia wants Navalny ally arrested abroad; Lithuania refuses
3 years, 10 months ago

Russia wants Navalny ally arrested abroad; Lithuania refuses

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Moscow court on Wednesday ordered the arrest of an …

Belarus opposition to compile ‘book of crimes’
4 years ago

Belarus opposition to compile ‘book of crimes’

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Belarus’ opposition will compile a register of law enforcement officers accused of abuses against peaceful demonstrators protesting the reelection of the country’s authoritarian leader, an opposition leader said Tuesday. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the main opposition challenger in Belarus’ August presidential vote, said in a video call from Vilnius, Lithuania, that the “book of crimes” will include accounts of …

Belarus opposition to compile 'book of crimes'
4 years ago

Belarus opposition to compile 'book of crimes'

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Belarus opposition will compile a register of law enforcement officers …

The opposition in Belarus has faced a campaign of violence and threats from President Alexander Lukashenko. How did it get here?
4 years, 3 months ago

The opposition in Belarus has faced a campaign of violence and threats from President Alexander Lukashenko. How did it get here?

ABC  

Unprecedented protests on the street, a rigged election and an authoritarian leader who refuses to budge. After the initial public violence inflicted against protesters, which stoked international outrage and only swelled the ranks of the opposition, authorities in Belarus have switched to threats and selective arrests of activists and demonstrators. France issued strong condemnation "of arbitrary arrests and the practice …

Belarus activist resists effort to deport her to Ukraine
4 years, 3 months ago

Belarus activist resists effort to deport her to Ukraine

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — A leading opposition activist in Belarus was held on the border with Ukraine on Tuesday after she resisted an attempt by authorities to deport her as part of government efforts to end a month of protests against authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko. After that, she opened the back door and walked back to the Belarusian border.” He said …

Belarus musician emerges as a key opposition activist
4 years, 3 months ago

Belarus musician emerges as a key opposition activist

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — A professional flute player with no political experience might seem to be an unlikely figure to take on the feared KGB state security agency in Belarus. The 38-year-old musician with close-cropped blond hair has emerged as a key opposition activist, appearing at political rallies and fearlessly walking up to lines of riot police and making her signature …

Lithuania says EU’s inaction over Belarus undermines its credibility: Report
4 years, 3 months ago

Lithuania says EU’s inaction over Belarus undermines its credibility: Report

Live Mint  

The European Union's lack of action over Belarus is undermining the credibility of its foreign policy, Lithuanian foreign affairs minister Linas Linkevicius told the Financial Times newspaper in an interview published on Sunday. The EU needs to encourage democracy and counter Russia's influence in Belarus, Linkevicius said in the interview, adding that the bloc should provide "concrete help" to Belarus' …

Protests in Belarus continue despite challenger’s departure
4 years, 4 months ago

Protests in Belarus continue despite challenger’s departure

Associated Press  

MINSK, Belarus — The top opposition candidate in Belarus’ presidential election left for Lithuania Tuesday but anti-government demonstrators still turned out for a third straight night to protest the vote results, despite a massive police crackdown that prompted a warning of possible European Union sanctions. The former candidate’s campaign put out a statement urging authorities to engage in a dialogue …

Belarusian challenger Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya flees to Lithuania amid protests
4 years, 4 months ago

Belarusian challenger Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya flees to Lithuania amid protests

ABC  

The top opposition candidate in the Belarus presidential vote who refused to concede her defeat has fled the country amid a massive police crackdown on protests, Lithuania's Foreign Minister says. Key points: Ms Tsikhanouskaya has urged people to take care as she explained her decision to leave Both she and Belarusian authorities said she had not been forced from the …

Belarus’ main opposition candidate goes into hiding on the eve of crucial presidential vote
4 years, 4 months ago

Belarus’ main opposition candidate goes into hiding on the eve of crucial presidential vote

CNN  

Moscow CNN — The main opposition candidate in Belarus’ Sunday presidential election went into hiding the night before challenging longtime leader Alexander Lukashenko, who is seeking his sixth term. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya’s campaign said she fled her apartment due to safety reasons after police detained several of its senior staffers, in what critics called an attempt to intimidate the opposition ahead …

Ex-teacher hopes to free Belarus from president’s iron fist
4 years, 4 months ago

Ex-teacher hopes to free Belarus from president’s iron fist

Associated Press  

BREST, Belarus — A 37-year-old former English teacher without political experience seems an unlikely challenger to the authoritarian president of Belarus who has been the ex-Soviet nation’s only leader for more than a quarter-century. Tsikhanouskaya says the crowds — the biggest demonstrations Belarus has seen since becoming independent in 1991 — reflect a desperate longing for transformation after President Alexander …

Discover Related