After a surge of illegal migration from the Belarus border, Polish President Andrzej Duda has declared a state of emergency.

Blaming Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko for the mass influx of migrants, Warsaw has said that the strongman is trying to put pressure on the European Union over the sanctions it has imposed on Minsk.

The first of its kind emergency order since the communist rule in Poland includes a ban on mass gatherings and has limited people's movements for the next 30 days.

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Calling the situation on the border was "difficult and dangerous," Polish presidential spokesman Blazej Spychalski said the country is taking measures to ensure the safety of the country and the bloc.

However, Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei denied the accusation and blamed ''western politicians'' for the border situation.

While rights activists claim that Poland does it provide adequate medical care to stranded migrants, Warsaw has said that it is the responsibility of Belarus.

Meanwhile, aid groups working with migrants are worried that the emergency order can limit their work and leave refugees stranded.

Amid the surge in illegal migrants from Afghanistan and Iraq, Poland had started building barbed wire fences.

Following a disputed election and the forced landing of a Ryanair plane to detain a journalist, the EU had imposed economic sanctions on Belarus. 
&nbsp;

After a surge of illegal migration from the Belarus border, Polish President Andrzej Duda has declared a state of emergency. Blaming Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko for the mass influx of migrants, Warsaw has said that the strongman is trying to put pressure on the European Union over the sanctions it has imposed on Minsk.

After a surge of illegal migration from the Belarus border, Polish President Andrzej Duda has declared a state of emergency. Blaming Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko for the mass influx of migrants, Warsaw has said that the strongman is trying to put pressure on the European Union over the sanctions it has imposed on Minsk. The first of its kind emergency order since the communist rule in Poland includes a ban on mass gatherings and has limited people's movements for the next 30 days. Calling the situation on the border was "difficult and dangerous," Polish presidential spokesman Blazej Spychalski said the country is taking measures to ensure the safety of the country and the bloc. However, Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei denied the accusation and blamed ''western politicians'' for the border situation. While rights activists claim that Poland does it provide adequate medical care to stranded migrants, Warsaw has said that it is the responsibility of Belarus. Meanwhile, aid groups working with migrants are worried that the emergency order can limit their work and leave refugees stranded. Amid the surge in illegal migrants from Afghanistan and Iraq, Poland had started building barbed wire fences. Following a disputed election and the forced landing of a Ryanair plane to detain a journalist, the EU had imposed economic sanctions on Belarus.

Migrant crisis: Poland declares state of emergency on Belarus border

A Belarusian NGO has accused the regime of strongman Alexander Lukashenko of being behind the murder of its head Vitaly&nbsp;Shishov, who was found hanged in a park in Ukraine's capital.

"There is no doubt that this is an operation planned by Chekists to liquidate a Belarusian who presented a true danger to the regime," the Belarusian House in Ukraine said in a statement, referring to security service agents.

Police said they were considering the possibility of suicide or of a murder staged to appear as a suicide.

Shishov had been found with abrasions on his nose and knee but it was too early to determine whether he had been attacked, Ukraine's national police chief, Ihor Klymenko, told a briefing.

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Shishov, 26, had felt under constant surveillance since he left Belarus last year after taking part in anti-government protests, his colleagues said. He had been warned about possible threats, including being kidnapped or killed.

Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania have become havens for Belarusians during a security crackdown by President Alexander Lukashenko following a disputed election last year. Tens of thousands of people have been detained and leading opposition figures are either in jail or living abroad.

"It is worrying that those who flee Belarus still can't be safe," exiled opposition figure Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said on Twitter ahead of a meeting in London with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. She said the death could be a crime.

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We are in contact with <a href="https://twitter.com/MFA_Ukraine?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MFA_Ukraine</a> regarding the death of Belarusian activist Vital Shyshou &amp; the incident with athlete Krystsina Tsymanouskaya, whose husband fled from Belarus to Ukraine. Grateful to 🇺🇦 authorities for a prompt reaction &amp; support of repressed Belarusians. <a href="https://t.co/xceuafCjZ1">pic.twitter.com/xceuafCjZ1</a>
— Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (@Tsihanouskaya) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tsihanouskaya/status/1422562368970711041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Murder probe

UN human rights spokeswoman Marta Hurtado told reporters in Geneva that "the situation (in Belarus) is deteriorating clearly". &nbsp;

The US embassy in Kiev said the death came "amid an unacceptable Belarusian crackdown on civil society" and called on Ukraine to do a "complete and thorough investigation".&nbsp;

In Washington, State Department spokesman Ned Price renewed a call "for an end to the crackdown, the immediate release of all political prisoners" and free elections.

Ukrainian police had earlier said a murder probe has been opened.&nbsp;

Igor Klymenko, head of the national police, told reporters that officers were pursuing two main leads: suicide and murder disguised as a suicide. He said the activist had scratches on his nose and body which were consistent with a fall.

Several hundred people rallied outside the Belarus embassy in Kiev on Tuesday evening, many holding white and red flags associated with the Belarusian opposition.

'Not safe' abroad

The head of the Belarusian House in Warsaw, Ales Zarembiuk, said&nbsp;he was "100 percent convinced" that&nbsp;Shishov&nbsp;was murdered in a bid to frighten the Belarusian diaspora, whose organisations supported last year's protests.&nbsp;

According to Zarembiuk,&nbsp;Shishov&nbsp;ran an account on Telegram that exposed KGB agents.&nbsp;

Zarembiuk,&nbsp;who said he never walks alone,&nbsp;said Belarusians are less safe in Ukraine than in neighbouring Poland because of its ongoing war with pro-Russia separatists.&nbsp;

"He may not have been killed by a KGB agent, but it was definitely on their orders."

Belarus has a history of political killings and disappearances, and regime critics have claimed that the Belarusian security services run death squads that hunt down and target Lukashenko opponents.

Kiev has been accused of not properly investigating the killing of Belarusian journalist Pavel Sheremet in Kiev in 2016.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky was "closely following the findings of the police", his spokesman Sergiy Nikiforov said.

(With inputs from agencies)

A Belarusian NGO has accused the regime of strongman Alexander Lukashenko of being behind the murder of its head Vitaly Shishov, who was found hanged in a park in Ukraine's capital.

A Belarusian NGO has accused the regime of strongman Alexander Lukashenko of being behind the murder of its head Vitaly Shishov, who was found hanged in a park in Ukraine's capital. "There is no doubt that this is an operation planned by Chekists to liquidate a Belarusian who presented a true danger to the regime," the Belarusian House in Ukraine said in a statement, referring to security service agents. Police said they were considering the possibility of suicide or of a murder staged to appear as a suicide. Shishov had been found with abrasions on his nose and knee but it was too early to determine whether he had been attacked, Ukraine's national police chief, Ihor Klymenko, told a briefing. Shishov, 26, had felt under constant surveillance since he left Belarus last year after taking part in anti-government protests, his colleagues said. He had been warned about possible threats, including being kidnapped or killed. Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania have become havens for Belarusians during a security crackdown by President Alexander Lukashenko following a disputed election last year. Tens of thousands of people have been detained and leading opposition figures are either in jail or living abroad. "It is worrying that those who flee Belarus still can't be safe," exiled opposition figure Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said on Twitter ahead of a meeting in London with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. She said the death could be a crime. We are in contact with @MFA_Ukraine regarding the death of Belarusian activist Vital Shyshou & the incident with athlete Krystsina Tsymanouskaya, whose husband fled from Belarus to Ukraine. Grateful to 🇺🇦 authorities for a prompt reaction & support of repressed Belarusians. pic.twitter.com/xceuafCjZ1 — Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (@Tsihanouskaya) August 3, 2021 × Murder probe UN human rights spokeswoman Marta Hurtado told reporters in Geneva that "the situation (in Belarus) is deteriorating clearly". The US embassy in Kiev said the death came "amid an unacceptable Belarusian crackdown on civil society" and called on Ukraine to do a "complete and thorough investigation". In Washington, State Department spokesman Ned Price renewed a call "for an end to the crackdown, the immediate release of all political prisoners" and free elections. Ukrainian police had earlier said a murder probe has been opened. Igor Klymenko, head of the national police, told reporters that officers were pursuing two main leads: suicide and murder disguised as a suicide. He said the activist had scratches on his nose and body which were consistent with a fall. Several hundred people rallied outside the Belarus embassy in Kiev on Tuesday evening, many holding white and red flags associated with the Belarusian opposition. 'Not safe' abroad The head of the Belarusian House in Warsaw, Ales Zarembiuk, said he was "100 percent convinced" that Shishov was murdered in a bid to frighten the Belarusian diaspora, whose organisations supported last year's protests. According to Zarembiuk, Shishov ran an account on Telegram that exposed KGB agents. Zarembiuk, who said he never walks alone, said Belarusians are less safe in Ukraine than in neighbouring Poland because of its ongoing war with pro-Russia separatists. "He may not have been killed by a KGB agent, but it was definitely on their orders." Belarus has a history of political killings and disappearances, and regime critics have claimed that the Belarusian security services run death squads that hunt down and target Lukashenko opponents. Kiev has been accused of not properly investigating the killing of Belarusian journalist Pavel Sheremet in Kiev in 2016. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky was "closely following the findings of the police", his spokesman Sergiy Nikiforov said. (With inputs from agencies)

Belarus NGO says Alexander Lukashenko 'planned' exiled activist Vitaly Shishov's murder

A court in Belarus handed jail sentences of at least two years to 11 university students and a teacher for taking part in anti-government protests last year, local rights group Vyasna said.

Charged with violating public order, 10 of the students and the teacher were sentenced by the court in Minsk to two years and six months in prison, while another was given two years, it said.

Belarusian police searched the offices and homes of journalists and human rights activists for the third successive day, extending what rights activists say is a new crackdown on opponents of President Alexander Lukashenko.

The Poland-based Nexta Live channel said the office of US&nbsp;broadcaster Radio Liberty in the capital Minsk was among those raided.&nbsp;Belarusian human rights organisation Viasna-96 reported that two Radio Liberty journalists had been detained.

The authorities have shut down a number of non-state media outlets and human rights groups since protests began last August against a presidential election which the opposition say was rigged. Lukashenko, in power since 1994, denies electoral fraud.

Police officers went on Friday to the homes of a journalist from Polish TV channel Belsat and those of several local reporters, Viasna-96 reported.

On Wednesday and Thursday, security officials conducted searches in around 20 human rights, charitable, media and expert institutions, detaining more than 15 people, including the head of Viasna-96.

The searches and detentions in the former Soviet republic have been condemned by Western politicians, international human rights activists and&nbsp;Belarusian protest leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who is based in Lithuania.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said Britain condemns an "escalation in repression" in&nbsp;Belarus, and the European Union and United States have imposed sanctions on&nbsp;Belarus&nbsp;in recent months.

(With inputs from agencies)

A court in Belarus handed jail sentences of at least two years to 11 university students and a teacher for taking part in anti-government protests last year, local rights group Vyasna said.

A court in Belarus handed jail sentences of at least two years to 11 university students and a teacher for taking part in anti-government protests last year, local rights group Vyasna said. Charged with violating public order, 10 of the students and the teacher were sentenced by the court in Minsk to two years and six months in prison, while another was given two years, it said. Belarusian police searched the offices and homes of journalists and human rights activists for the third successive day, extending what rights activists say is a new crackdown on opponents of President Alexander Lukashenko. The Poland-based Nexta Live channel said the office of US broadcaster Radio Liberty in the capital Minsk was among those raided. Belarusian human rights organisation Viasna-96 reported that two Radio Liberty journalists had been detained. The authorities have shut down a number of non-state media outlets and human rights groups since protests began last August against a presidential election which the opposition say was rigged. Lukashenko, in power since 1994, denies electoral fraud. Police officers went on Friday to the homes of a journalist from Polish TV channel Belsat and those of several local reporters, Viasna-96 reported. On Wednesday and Thursday, security officials conducted searches in around 20 human rights, charitable, media and expert institutions, detaining more than 15 people, including the head of Viasna-96. The searches and detentions in the former Soviet republic have been condemned by Western politicians, international human rights activists and Belarusian protest leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who is based in Lithuania. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said Britain condemns an "escalation in repression" in Belarus, and the European Union and United States have imposed sanctions on Belarus in recent months. (With inputs from agencies)

Belarus jails 11 students, teacher over protests

In&nbsp;an ongoing crackdown on dissent by President Alexander Lukashenko's regime,&nbsp;Belarusian security police searched offices and homes of lawyers and human rights activists.

Authorities in Belarus have moved to shut down non-state media outlets and human rights&nbsp;groups after mass protests last August against a presidential election the opposition said was rigged.

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Police searched offices of at least 14 rights groups, media, NGOs, and charity groups, including the human rights organisation, Viasna-96, and the country's oldest political party,&nbsp;Belarusian People Front, the groups said.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, a protest leader who fled&nbsp;Belarus&nbsp;amid a post-election crackdown, said Lukashenko's regime was taking revenge on human rights activists and media.

"The (regime) accomplices have already threatened civil society in response to sanctions,&nbsp;they hope they can feel his power again if everyone in the country is silent," she wrote on Telegram messenger.

Last week, authorities banned online access to Nasha Niva, the country's oldest newspaper, and raided the offices of several regional newspapers.

Those raids came a day after one of Lukashenko's main challengers, Viktor Babaryko, was sentenced to 14 years in prison.&nbsp;

Lukashenko, the long-serving authoritarian leader who sparked mass rallies by claiming a sixth presidential term last year, has drawn condemnation from the West whose leaders say the vote was not free or fair.

Western nations have slapped a slew of sanctions on Lukashenko and his regime, but they appear to have had limited effect as he maintains backing from key ally and creditor Russia.

(With inputs from agencies)

In an ongoing crackdown on dissent by President Alexander Lukashenko's regime, Belarusian security police searched offices and homes of lawyers and human rights activists.

In an ongoing crackdown on dissent by President Alexander Lukashenko's regime, Belarusian security police searched offices and homes of lawyers and human rights activists. Authorities in Belarus have moved to shut down non-state media outlets and human rights groups after mass protests last August against a presidential election the opposition said was rigged. Police searched offices of at least 14 rights groups, media, NGOs, and charity groups, including the human rights organisation, Viasna-96, and the country's oldest political party, Belarusian People Front, the groups said. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, a protest leader who fled Belarus amid a post-election crackdown, said Lukashenko's regime was taking revenge on human rights activists and media. "The (regime) accomplices have already threatened civil society in response to sanctions, they hope they can feel his power again if everyone in the country is silent," she wrote on Telegram messenger. Last week, authorities banned online access to Nasha Niva, the country's oldest newspaper, and raided the offices of several regional newspapers. Those raids came a day after one of Lukashenko's main challengers, Viktor Babaryko, was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Lukashenko, the long-serving authoritarian leader who sparked mass rallies by claiming a sixth presidential term last year, has drawn condemnation from the West whose leaders say the vote was not free or fair. Western nations have slapped a slew of sanctions on Lukashenko and his regime, but they appear to have had limited effect as he maintains backing from key ally and creditor Russia. (With inputs from agencies)

Belarus police raids offices, homes of activists in ongoing crackdown on dissent