Latest Alexander Lukashenko News
Belarus court jails journalist for four years for criticizing authoritarian president
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — 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...
Belarus has dozens of Russian nuclear weapons and is ready for its newest missile, its leader says
MOSCOW (AP) — Belarus' authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko said Tuesday his country is hosting dozens of Russian nuclear weapons and will prepare facilities for the planned deployment of Moscow's newest hypersonic ballistic missile. His remarks came after he and President...
Belarus’ authoritarian ruler pardons 29 political prisoners amid claims of ongoing repression
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Belarus’ authoritarian leader, Alexander Lukashenko, pardoned 29 political prisoners Monday amid what human rights groups describe as renewed oppression in the country. Belarusian officials did not provide the names of those released but said that the...
Putin signs agreement offering Russia's security guarantees to ally Belarus
MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Belarus on Friday to sign a treaty offering security guarantees for Moscow’s closest ally, including the possible use of Russian nuclear weapons to help repel an aggression. The signing of the document follows the publication...
Belarus seeks to copy neighboring Russia’s repressive LGBTQ+ policies, activists say
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — As police raided the home of a gay couple in the Belarusian capital of Minsk and brutally beat them, the officers didn't hide that the crackdown was aligned to similar moves in neighboring Russia. The students, Andrei and Sasha, said security forces demanded...
Pakistani authorities start clearing Imran Khan supporters from the capital after deadly clashes
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani security forces launched an operation Tuesday night to disperse supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan who had gathered in the capital to demand his release from prison. The latest development came hours after thousands of Khan...
Police fire tear gas as thousands supporting former Prime Minister Khan arrive near capital
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani police Monday fired tear gas canisters at supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan to stop them from entering the capital, where they hoped to stage a sit-in to demand his release, officials said. The firing of tear gas came shortly after...
Belarus grants asylum to fugitive Polish judge wanted on spying allegations
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
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...
Pakistani court bars party of jailed former PM from rallying on eve of visit by Belarus president
ISLAMABAD (AP) — A court in Pakistan's capital has barred the party of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan from holding a planned rally in Islamabad on Sunday on the eve of an official visit by the president of Belarus. The ruling Thursday was a setback for supporters of...