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Belarus

Belarus toughens laws against protesters and 'extremism'

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has signed into effect a law tightening sanctions against protesters taking part in unauthorised rallies and increasing penalties for "extremism".

Poland

Polish PM vows support for Belarus' opposition after ally's remarks

"We are with the Belarusians who are fighting for freedom, fighting for the rule of law, fighting for democracy,"

Belarus

Exiled Belarusians protest at closure of Polish land border

Officially the reason for the closure since December is COVID-19 - but many suspect Lukashenko of using the pandemic as a pretext for clamping down on the protest movement against his rule.

Belarus

Belarusian airlines banned from flying over EU or using its airports

It follows Minsk's move to divert a Ryanair passenger plane and arrest dissident journalist Roman Protasevich last month.

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Belarus

'Spoken after torture': Opposition slams journalist's video confession

In the video aired on Belarus state TV, regime critic Roman Protasevich claimed opposition protests were pointless and that he had been set up.

Germany

Germany-Russia flights to resume after suspension amid Belarus row

Flights were suspended on Tuesday and Wednesday amid escalating tensions between Russia and the West after Belarus diverted a passenger jet to arrest a dissident journalist.

Belarus

Belarusian activist stabs himself in court to protest repression

Stsiapan Latypau's desperate act on Tuesday sheds light on the situation of Belarus' 454 political prisoners. The activist was arrested during massive protests against President Lukashenko last September.

World News

NATO to meet after Belarus officials restricted from headquarters

The move follows Minsk's intervention last month forcing a Ryanair flight to land in Belarus to arrest dissident journalist Roman Protasevich.

Poland

Demonstrations held across Europe against Belarusian president

Demonstrations have been held in several European cities against the government in Belarus after a plane carrying a dissident journalist was grounded in the country last weekend.

World News

The most striking images from this week's top stories

The key stories of the week, captured by photographers around the world.

Belarus

Putin supports Lukashenko amid outcry over Ryanair flight diversion

"There is always someone who causes problems for us," Lukashenko told Putin.

My Europe Series

Europe's week: EU-Swiss deal collapses and Belarus plane drama

These were two of the stories dominating talk in Brussels this week.

World News

Bid to rename EU streets with a Belarusian embassy after journalist

If enacted, it would likely mean Belarus' embassies having Roman Protasevich Street on all their correspondence.

Belarus

Belarus: Alexander Lukashenko meets Vladimir Putin amid EU showdown

Belarus's authoritarian leader will travel to Sochi to meet the Russian president.

Austria

Flights cancelled after Russia rejects Belarus rerouting

Air France and Austrian Airlines have both cancelled flights as Moscow digs in its heels to protect its ally in Minsk.

Belarus

Euroviews. EU must go further to punish Lukashenko’s brazen act of piracy | View

"If the European Union does not react strongly to such abuses of international law, more incursions and violations of its sovereignty are to be expected."

Belarus

'Hear the scream of my heart': Protasevich's mum pleads for help

Belarusian journalist Roman Protasevich was detained after the forced diversion of a Ryanair flight to Minsk on Sunday.

Belarus

US, European nations call for probe into Belarus plane diversion

"These acts are a blatant attack on international civilian aviation safety and on European security and show flagrant disregard for international law," they said following a closed-door meeting of the UN Security Council on Wednesday.

Belarus

Lithuania latest to pull out of track cycling competition in Belarus

The decision to boycott follows the forced diversion of a plane on Sunday by Belarusian authorities.

Belarus

Lukashenko invites Biden and Putin to Belarus to discuss 'problems'

Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko has remained defiant amid international outcry over the forced diversion of a Ryanair flight and subsequent detention of journalist Roman Protasevich.