The broadcast was the second appearance in two days by 26-year-old Roman Protasevich, whose arrest on May 23 was denounced in the West. By showing him on TV as cowed and repentant, Belarus could aim to counter that criticism. Mr Lukashenko has suppressed opposition and independent news media since taking power in the former Soviet republic in 1994. Expand Close Alexander Lukashenko (Sergei Shelega/BelTA Pool Photo/AP) / FacebookTwitterEmailWhatsapp Alexander Lukashenko (Sergei Shelega/BelTA Pool Photo/AP)He cracked down on the wave of protests, with some 35,000 people detained by police and many beaten. “In many moments, (Lukashenko) acted like a man with balls of steel,” Mr Protsevich said.

Source: Irish Independent June 04, 2021 00:56 UTC