Latest Belarus government News

Pakistan partially stops mobile and internet services ahead of pro-Imran Khan protest

Nov. 24, 2024 07:31 AM EST

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan on Sunday suspended mobile and internet services “in areas with security concerns” as supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan geared up for a protest in the capital. The government and Interior Ministry posted the announcement on social...

Belarus grants asylum to fugitive Polish judge wanted on spying allegations

Nov. 23, 2024 11:51 AM EST

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Belarus has granted asylum to a former Polish judge who faced espionage charges at home following his defection in May to the Kremlin-allied country. A decree published Friday by Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus’ autocratic president, described Tomasz Szmydt...

Pakistan seals off its capital ahead of a planned rally by Imran Khan supporters

Nov. 23, 2024 09:29 AM EST

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan has sealed off the capital, Islamabad, ahead of a planned rally by supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan. It’s the second time in as many months that authorities have imposed such measures to thwart tens of thousands of people from gathering...

Belarus opposition figure extradited from Vietnam faces terrorism charges, possible death penalty

Nov. 21, 2024 14:18 PM EST

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A Belarusian opposition figure was detained in Vietnam and extradited to Belarus, where he is facing charges of terrorism and possibly a death penalty, the opposition said Thursday. The arrest of Vasil Verameichyk, 34, is the latest in an unrelenting...

Russia's ally Belarus targets hundreds for showing solidarity with Ukraine during the war

Nov. 20, 2024 11:54 AM EST

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Hundreds of people in Belarus who have shown solidarity with Ukraine have been arrested in a sweeping crackdown under authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, a key ally of Russia in the war, human rights activists said Wednesday. At least 1,671...

Belarus police launch sweeping anti-riot drills ahead of January's election

Nov. 19, 2024 15:36 PM EST

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Belarusian police on Tuesday launched sweeping anti-riot drills ahead of January’s election in which authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko is seeking a seventh term, a signal from the authorities that they wouldn't tolerate any protests. Interior...

Belarus has arrested scores of relatives of dissidents ahead of presidential vote, activists say

Nov. 15, 2024 10:47 AM EST

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Belarusian authorities have detained over 100 relatives of political prisoners in a new wave of arrests ahead of January’s election in which authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko is seeking a seventh term, rights activists said Friday. The Viasna...

Imprisoned Belarus activist Maria Kolesnikova is considering asking for a pardon, her father says

Nov. 13, 2024 10:31 AM EST

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Imprisoned Belarusian opposition activist Maria Kolesnikova is considering asking the country's authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko for a pardon after more than four years behind bars, her father said Wednesday. Alexander Kolesnikov spoke to The...

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

Nov. 12, 2024 14:42 PM EST

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — 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, one of the most popular and...

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

Nov. 06, 2024 13:52 PM EST

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — 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 Viasna human rights...