Alexander Lukashenko, the autocratic leader of Belarus who claimed victory in another election derided as a sham, played a "dirty game" in releasing an American hostage to coincide with the ballot, the country's opposition has told Newsweek.

Belarusian leader and Russian ally Alexander Lukashenko extended his 31-year rule on Monday after electoral officials declared him the winner of a presidential election Western governments rejected as a sham.

As Belarus votes amid repression, what drives Alexander Lukashenko, the president likely to secure a seventh term.

The E.U. has called Sunday’s election a sham. Lukashenko, running virtually unopposed, said he was “too busy” to even campaign.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is projected to take victory in the virtually uncontested election by a greater margin than he did in 2020.

MINSK - Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said on Sunday that some of his political opponents had \"chosen\" to go to prison as he cast his vote in a election that was set to extend his 31-year rule.

MINSK: Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko was on track to extend his 31 year rule with 87.6 percent of the vote in a presidential election on Sunday (Jan 26), according to an exit

Exit polls have Alexander Lukashenko on track to extend his 31 year rule with nearly 88% of the vote. Western governments have slammed the vote as a sham, with Lukashenko's rivals broadly seen as government stooges.

BBC journalist Steve Rosenberg provoked Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko with a pointed question. The correspondent asked how the recent elections in Belarus could be deemed democratic when Lukashenko's opponents are imprisoned.

BBC journalist Steve Rosenberg angered Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko with his question. The correspondent asked how the recent elections in Belarus could be considered democratic when his rivals are in prison.

The head of state stressed that it was important not only to protect the state border, but take into account all possible threats