Belarusian news agencies reported today that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was sworn in for his sixth term of office in a secret ceremony with no prior announcement.
Since Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory in the disputed August 9 presidential election, massive demonstrations against his rule have erupted in the capital Minsk and other cities, and he has rarely been seen in public.
The Belarusian news agency BELTA reports, “Lukashenka has been inaugurated as president of Belarus, and the inauguration ceremony is being held at the Independence Palace.
Earlier, the ultra-righteous news agency reported that streets were completely blocked off and that Rukashenka’s motorcade raced through downtown Minsk, sparking speculation that the inauguration ceremony was about to take place, although there was no official confirmation.
The 66-year-old leader, who has been in power since 1994, once flew a helicopter overlooking a protest rally, claiming that the demonstrators were “rats. He disembarked wearing a bulletproof undershirt and carrying a Kalashnikov rifle, commonly known as an AK-47.
Lukashenka has sought the support of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has promised him law enforcement personnel to assist him if necessary, as well as a loan of $1.5 billion (about $43.7 billion).
His main political opponent, opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, claimed victory but went into exile in Lithuania, while Lukashenka arrested or expelled other leading opposition politicians.
Recent Comments