[News] ‘Fake and fantasy’ – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko reacts to alleged abuse of protesters

Belarusian President, Alexander Lukashenko has refused to apologize for the widespread human rights violations in the country since his disputed re-election last year.

 

In an interview with CNN, Lukashenko known as ‘Europe’s last dictator’, dismissed reports his military meted out abuses to his critics and anti-government protesters saying Belarus didn’t have detention centers like Guatanamo bay .

 

CNN using evidence from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International questioned LUkashenko over reports of detainees reporting injuries including broken bones and burns, while others said they were forced to lie naked in dirt while being assaulted.

 

Lukashenko responded: “You know, we don’t have a single detention center, as you say, like Guantanamo, or those bases that the United States and your country created in Eastern Europe … As regards our own detention centers, where we keep those accused or those under investigation, they are no worse than in Britain or the United States. I can guarantee you that.”

Lukashenko has been president of Belarus since 1994 but following presidential elections last year, there were widespread protests across the country.

Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya fled the country, while others have been jailed, leading US President Joe Biden to issue an executive order in August to target those in Lukashenko’s regime involved in the repression of human rights and democracy.

 

When asked to apologize for his regime’s human rights abuses, Lukashenko was dismissive.

 

“Everything that you’ve just said is fake and fantasy,” he said. “I guarantee you it’s fake and fantasy.”