Latest Alexander Lukashenko News

In this picture taken on Wednesday, May 26, 2020, Valery Tsepkalo, a potential candidate in the upcoming presidential election, smiles in Minsk, Belarus. The central elections commission in Belarus has rejected a top challenger's bid to run against authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko in this summer's election. Tsepkalo, a former ambassador to the United States and a founder of a successful high-technology park, submitted 160,000 signatures on petitions to get on the ballot for the Aug. 9 election, but the commission said only 75,000 were valid less than the 100,000 needed.(AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Belarus denies main president challenger spot on ballot

Jun. 30, 2020 1:36 PM EDT

MINSK, Belarus (AP) — The central elections commission in Belarus has rejected a top challenger’s bid to run against authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko in this summer’s election. The commision’s decision Tuesday to bar Valery Tsepkalo from the ballot removes any serious...

Russian President Vladimir Putin appears in a televised address to the nation in Khoroshevo, the Tver region, with a monument to World War II Red Army soldiers seen in the background, Russia, Tuesday, June 30, 2020. Putin urged voters to cast ballots in a constitutional vote wrapping up Wednesday that could allow him to extend his rule until 2036. (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Putin unveils monument to fallen Red Army WWII soldiers

Jun. 30, 2020 12:27 PM EDT

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin and his counterpart from Belarus on Tuesday unveiled a monument honoring fallen Red Army soldiers who fought in one of the most bloody battles of World War II. Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko traveled to the village of Khoroshevo, just...

Belarus leader alleges election meddling from Russia, Poland

Jun. 25, 2020 9:12 AM EDT

MINSK, Belarus (AP) — The president of Belarus has accused unidentified forces in Russia and Poland of interfering in the country's presidential election, in which he is seeking a sixth term. Speaking at a meeting with diplomats on Thursday, Alexander Lukashenko alleged that “puppet masters" in the...

FILE - In this Saturday, May 9, 2020 file photo, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko gives a speech during a military parade that marked the 75th anniversary of the allied victory over Nazi Germany, in Minsk, Belarus. Lukashenko said Friday, June 19 that his government has thwarted plans to destabilize Belarus ahead of a presidential vote in August, a statement that follows the detention of his top challenger, Viktor Babariko, the former head of Russia-owned Belgazprombank.(Sergei Gapon/Pool via AP, File)

Belarus' authoritarian leader claims foreign plot thwarted

Jun. 19, 2020 2:46 PM EDT

MINSK, Belarus (AP) — The president of Belarus said Friday that his government thwarted a foreign-inspired plot to destabilize the ex-Soviet nation before the August presidential election in which he is seeking a sixth term. The claim by President Alexander Lukashenko followed the detention Thursday of...

In this picture taken on Thursday, June 11, 2020, Viktor Babariko, candidate presidential elections and the former head of Belgazprombank, speaks to media during a news conference in Minsk, Belarus. Belarusian authorities have taken control of a Russia-owned commercial bank that was led by a man who is now running to challenge Belarus’ authoritarian president. President Alexander Lukashenko, who is seeking a sixth term in the Aug. 9 election, has accused Belgazprombank chief executive Viktor Babariko of corruption and called him a “scoundrel.” (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Top challenger in Belarusian presidential race detained

Jun. 18, 2020 3:35 PM EDT

Belarusian authorities on Thursday detained the former head of a Russia-owned commercial bank who has emerged as the top challenger to Belarus’ authoritarian leader in the August election, a move that drew thousands of protesters to the streets. President Alexander Lukashenko, who is seeking a sixth term...

People, wearing face masks to protect against coronavirus, sign to support potential presidential candidates in the upcoming presidential elections in Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, June 14, 2020. The presidential campaign is underway in Belarus despite the coronavirus outbreak after the parliament and government refused to postpone the election scheduled for August 9. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Belarusian authorities raid Russia-owned bank

Jun. 15, 2020 11:23 AM EDT

MINSK, Belarus (AP) — Belarusian authorities on Monday took control of a Russia-owned commercial bank that was led by a man who is now running to challenge Belarus' authoritarian leader. President Alexander Lukashenko, who is seeking a sixth term in an Aug. 9 election, has accused Belgazprombank chief...

In this picture taken on Sunday, May 24, 2020, a blogger Sergei Tikhanovski, wearing a face mask to protect against coronavirus, speaks to people gathered to sign up and support potential presidential candidates in the upcoming presidential elections in Minsk, Belarus. The state Investigative Committee said Tuesday that Tikhanovski faces up to three years in prison on charges of violation of public order and assaulting a police officer during a protest against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's re-election bid. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Belarus: Anti-president rallies canceled amid detentions

Jun. 11, 2020 7:46 AM EDT

MINSK, Belarus (AP) — A Belarusian opposition activist who has been rallying against the reelection of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko and collecting signatures to run against him has canceled rallies in big cities amid crackdown on her supporters. In a video statement released Thursday,...

Opposition activist in Belarus faces 3 years in prison

Jun. 9, 2020 1:00 PM EDT

MINSK, Belarus (AP) — A Belarusian opposition activist who has rallied against the re-election of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko could face years behind bars, officials said Tuesday. Belarus' state Investigative Committee said that popular blogger Sergei Tikhanovski could be sentenced to...

FILE - In this Saturday, April 25, 2020 file photo, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko attends a subbotnik, a Soviet-style Clean-up Day, in the village of Liaskovichi, about 270 km (169 miles) south of Minsk, Belarus. Belarusia's authoritarian president has dismissed his cabinet two months ahead of presidential elections. President Alexander Lukashenko, who is seeking a sixth term in the August 9 election, said Wednesday June 3, 2020, that most ministers would retain their positions in the new government to be named before the vote. (Maxim Guchek/BelTA Pool Photo via AP, File)

Belarus president names new prime minister ahead of election

Jun. 4, 2020 7:47 AM EDT

MINSK, Belarus (AP) — Belarus' authoritarian president named his new prime minister Thursday, a move that comes two months before a scheduled presidential election. President Alexander Lukashenko, 65, is seeking a sixth term in the Aug. 9 election. He has ruled the nation of 9.5 million with an iron fist...

FILE - In this Saturday, April 25, 2020 file photo, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko attends a subbotnik, a Soviet-style Clean-up Day, in the village of Liaskovichi, about 270 km (169 miles) south of Minsk, Belarus. Belarusia's authoritarian president has dismissed his cabinet two months ahead of presidential elections. President Alexander Lukashenko, who is seeking a sixth term in the August 9 election, said Wednesday June 3, 2020, that most ministers would retain their positions in the new government to be named before the vote. (Maxim Guchek/BelTA Pool Photo via AP, File)

Belarus president dismisses government

Jun. 3, 2020 4:24 PM EDT

MINSK, Belarus (AP) — Belarusia’s authoritarian president has dismissed his Cabinet two months before a scheduled presidential election. President Alexander Lukashenko is seeking a sixth term in the August 9 election he is almost sure to win. He said Wednesday that most Cabinet ministers would...

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