Feb 4, 2025 · Alexander Lukashenko, Belarusian politician who espoused communist principles and who became president of the country in 1994. His decades-long autocratic rule, which was characterized by suppression of free speech and widespread election fraud, earned him the nickname ‘Europe’s last dictator.’

Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko [c] (also transliterated as Alyaksandr Ryhoravich Lukashenka; [d] born 30 August 1954) is a Belarusian politician who has been the first and only president of Belarus since the office's establishment in 1994, [7] making him the current longest-serving European leader. [8] [9]

Jan 22, 2025 · In the first tentative signs of an easing of repression, Lukashenko has, since last July, issued what he called humanitarian pardons to 250 people serving prison terms for alleged extremist...

Jul 19, 2024 · Lukashenko initiated constitutional changes that put parliament under his control, removed term limits and extended his power in elections that the West didn’t recognize as free or fair. Protests following the votes were quickly broken up by police and organizers were jailed.

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Nov 6, 2024 · 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.

Jan 8, 2025 · Viktar Babaryka, 61, has been denied meetings with his family and lawyers while serving a 14-year sentence in a penal colony after failing to get on the ballot against authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko in a 2020 election.

Nov 20, 2024 · Lukashenko has announced pardons of groups of those considered political prisoners, generally on grounds of ill health or advanced age. Several prominent activists remain in prison.

Sep 17, 2020 · Putin extended Lukashenko a $1.5 billion US loan and has sent a number of high-level Russian delegations to Minsk to emphasize the close ties between the two nations.

Jan 8, 2025 · (Reuters) - Jailed Belarusian politician Viktor Babariko, who was arrested while trying to run in a 2020 election against President Alexander Lukashenko, has been allowed to send a message to his...