Latest Minsk News

An exiled Belarus opposition figure is sentenced in absentia to 20 years

Jun. 21, 2024 12:25 PM EDT

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A court in Belarus has sentenced a top opposition figure living in exile to 20 years in absentia, the latest in a yearslong crackdown on dissent in the country. The court in the capital Minsk passed the sentence late Thursday on Franak Viachorka — an...

On a visit to his Belarusian ally, Putin questions Zelenskyy's legitimacy as Ukraine's leader

May. 24, 2024 12:43 PM EDT

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin visited his Belarusian counterpart and close ally for talks Friday in Minsk, after which he questioned whether Volodymyr Zelenskyy has the legitimacy to negotiate on Ukraine's behalf. Russia is willing to hold talks about...

Poland puts judge who defected to Belarus on wanted list, opening way to international warrant

May. 16, 2024 07:38 AM EDT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — A controversial judge who fled from Poland to neighboring autocratic Belarus has been put on a wanted list, a step toward an international arrest warrant on espionage allegations, the Polish national prosecutors' office said Thursday. ...

Belarus arrests well-known activist on charges punishable by up to 4 years in prison, group says

Apr. 02, 2024 14:03 PM EDT

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Authorities in Belarus have arrested a well-known activist on charges punishable by up to four years in prison, the country's oldest rights group said Tuesday in what appears to be the latest in the yearslong crackdown on dissent. Dzmitry Kuchuk, whose...