Belarus’s authoritarian leader warned of “harsh” sanctions against the opposition should it hold unsanctioned protests ahead of this weekend’s election.
President Alexander Lukashenko vowed in a state-of-the-nation address on Tuesday that “the response (to unauthorised demonstrations) would be instant and the sanctions will be harsh”.
Belarusian authorities have detained more than 1,000 participants in protests since the campaign’s start.
Known as “Europe’s last dictator”, Lukashenko, 65, is facing one of the toughest challenges of his 26-year-rule in Sunday’s presidential ballot.
Source : Agences
