# Alexander Lukashenko

Belarus begins trial in absentia of protest leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya

Tikhanovskaya, who claimed victory in the 2020 presidential election, faces a litany of charges including high treason.

6.0k

Jan 17th 2023, 4:05 PM

All time

Proposed changes to Belarusian constitution would enable president to stay in office until 2035

The proposed amendments are published on the president’s official website.

19.9k

Dec 27th 2021, 7:00 PM

Belarus opposition leader Tikhanovsky jailed for 18 years

Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, Sergei Tikhanovsky’s wife and self-exiled current opposition leader, denounced the verdict on Twitter.

15.3k

Dec 14th 2021, 1:14 PM

Belarus mother of five jailed over ‘unsanctioned mass gatherings’

Volha Zalatar was arrested on the street when she was taking her 10-year-old daughter to music school.

45.5k

Dec 3rd 2021, 8:32 PM

# lukashenko

President of Belarus offers to host Russian nuclear weapons

Alexander Lukashenko has also said for the first time that he recognises the contested Crimean Peninsula as part of Russia.

25.4k

Nov 30th 2021, 8:21 PM

Poland says border crisis 'greatest' bid to destabilise Europe since Cold War

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki is visiting the Baltic states to discuss the conflict.

16.7k

Nov 21st 2021, 12:24 PM

Minsk says it will repatriate migrants at Polish border, as EU broadens its Belarus sanctions

Iraq has recorded 571 of its citizens on the border who have said they are ready to return “voluntarily”.

24.5k

Updated Nov 15th 2021, 2:50 PM

Belarus leader denies repression a year after disputed vote

President Alexander Lukashenko also promised to step down ‘very soon’ but would not say when exactly.

12.6k

Aug 9th 2021, 9:30 PM

Last protest leader still in Belarus goes on trial accused of ‘conspiring to steal power’

Lukashenko has been cracking down on opponents since protests erupted last year following ‘unfair’ elections.

13.5k

Aug 4th 2021, 1:47 PM

# Vitaly Shishov

Missing Belarus activist found dead in Ukraine, UN calls for 'thorough' investigation

Vitaly Shishov ran an NGO that helped his compatriots flee repression in Belarus.

85.5k

Updated Aug 3rd 2021, 2:10 PM

Belarus authorities raid homes and offices of journalists and human rights activists

Authorities raided the homes of dozens of NGO workers and journalists across the country.

9.6k

Jul 14th 2021, 5:09 PM

Belarus government accused of mounting misinformation attacks on journalist

An online campaign launched against Belarussian journalist, Roman Protasevich, alleges he has ties to Neo-Nazi groups.

11.4k

Jun 9th 2021, 9:48 AM

# Human Rights

Belarus restricts citizens from leaving country

Only citizens with papers granting them a “permanent stay in a foreign state” are allowed to leave Belarus.

32.3k

Jun 1st 2021, 8:16 PM

# belarus protests

Protest in solidarity with Belarusian political prisoners takes place in Dublin

The gathering was small and in line with Covid-19 regulations which limit how many can meet in public.

15.2k

May 29th 2021, 6:36 PM

# Explainer

What's happened in Belarus since last year's protests against president Alexander Lukashenko?

Yesterday’s incident was the latest in a series of crackdowns against the country’s opposition.

13.0k

May 24th 2021, 12:54 PM

# belarus protests

Anti-Lukashenko protests in Belarus continue as dozens are arrested in Minsk

Demonstrators waving the opposition’s red and white flag marched on the outskirts of the capital.

9.2k

Dec 13th 2020, 7:55 PM

# Thomas Byrne

Ireland 'deeply troubled' by Belarus' threat to take children from protester parents

More than 700 people were jailed following latest anti-government protests in Belarus, the country’s interior ministry said on Monday.

20.1k

Nov 17th 2020, 3:11 PM

# Asset freeze

EU launches sanctions against Belarus leader Lukashenko

Envoys from member states have given the green light to freeze Lukashenko’s assets.

13.3k

Nov 4th 2020, 3:42 PM

# lukashenko

Strikes in Belarus as protests against president continue

There have been protests in Belarus since early August.

20.5k

Oct 26th 2020, 5:17 PM

Belarus threatens to fire on anti-Lukashenko protesters as demonstrations rumble on

EU foreign ministers agreed to impose sanctions personally targeting the strongman leader.

13.5k

Oct 12th 2020, 9:58 PM

Belarus president closes borders with Poland and Lithuania and puts army on alert

Protesters have been demanding the resignation of president Alexander Lukashenko since the August election.

29.9k

Sep 18th 2020, 7:20 AM

Tens of thousands rally in Belarus amid mass arrests

“I came out for freedom,” one protester said today in Minsk.

25.6k

Sep 13th 2020, 5:17 PM

Belarus police detain dozens of female protesters as thousands take to the streets

A massive protest is expected in Minsk tomorrow.

21.0k

Sep 12th 2020, 6:21 PM

Belarus opposition figure who went missing is detained at Ukraine border

Maria Kolesnikova was detained while trying to cross overnight into Ukraine.

33.4k

Sep 8th 2020, 8:22 AM

Belarus opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova 'kidnapped'

Hundreds of people were detained by police after weekend protests.

70.2k

Sep 7th 2020, 3:42 PM

Strike leader detained in Belarus as crackdown continues

The arrest is part of an effort to stifle weeks of protests demanding the resignation of Alexander Lukashenko.

12.5k

Aug 31st 2020, 3:07 PM

Belarus detains more people as protests demanding leader’s resignation continue

The renewed crackdown on protesters comes as authorities crank up pressure on the opposition, jailing several activists.

8.5k

Aug 26th 2020, 2:03 PM

# Svetlana Tikhanovskaya

Taoiseach speaks to Belarusian opposition leader to voice support, amid third week of Minsk protests

The Taoiseach expressed Ireland’s solidarity with the people of Belarus in their pursuit of democracy and human rights.

19.5k

Aug 24th 2020, 10:40 PM

Tens of thousands take to the streets in Belarus demanding the resignation of the president

Officials warned Belarusians not to participate in “illegal demonstrations”.

12.7k

Aug 23rd 2020, 2:39 PM

EU rejects Belarus' disputed presidential election result as Lukashenko orders clampdown

Protesters have flooded the streets of Belarusian cities since the 9 August election.

25.0k

Aug 19th 2020, 9:56 PM

'There will be no new election until you kill me': Lukashenko is defiant as EU leaders to discuss next steps

Lukashenko tried to rally support today but was met with workers chanting at him to “go away”.

21.0k

Aug 17th 2020, 2:00 PM

Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko rejects election rerun on seventh day of protests

Lukashenko said earlier that he has support from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

30.2k

Updated Aug 16th 2020, 4:18 PM

Thousands continue protests in Belarus as president discusses unrest with Vladimir Putin

Crowds gathered in Minsk to honour a protester who died during this week’s crackdown.

19.4k

Aug 15th 2020, 12:18 PM

Thousands join new protests in Belarus capital as president eases crackdown

Today’s crowds in Minsk grew to more than 20,000, filling central Independence Square.

24.8k

Updated Aug 14th 2020, 6:24 PM

# Disputed Election

700 more people detained in Belarus as Lukashenko calls protesters 'sheep'

More than 6,700 people have been detained following protests over a disputed election.

15.3k

Updated Aug 13th 2020, 11:49 AM

# statement

Coveney labels violence against Belarus protesters 'unacceptable' as opposition leader flees to Lithuania

One demonstrator was killed last night during protests against election results in the country.

13.3k

Aug 11th 2020, 7:24 PM

Explainer: Why protests have erupted in Belarus against Europe's 'last dictator'

Alexander Lukashenko just won another presidential election, although the opposition has said it was rigged.

16.4k

Aug 11th 2020, 3:59 PM

Belarus president brands opposition 'sheep' as protests against election result continue

Dozens were injured and thousands detained hours after Sunday’s disputed vote.

17.1k

Aug 10th 2020, 9:52 PM