The death of Belarusian activist Shishov has sparked widespread protests in Ukraine. Shishov was the head of Kyiv based organization that helped Belarusians flee in prosecution in the country.

Death of Belarusian activist Shishov sparks widespread protests in Ukraine

Belarusian sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya voiced fears for her safety as she refused an order to fly home early from the Olympics for criticising her coaches. She she sought police protection at the terminal so she would not have to board the flight.

Belarusian sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya voices fears for her safety

A Belarusian athlete who refused to board a flight https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/exclusive-olympics-belarusian-athlete-says-she-was-taken-airport-go-home-after-2021-08-01 after she said she was taken to the airport by her team against her wishes was "safe and secure" in Tokyo, the International Olympic Committee said on Monday.

Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, 24, spent the night in an airport hotel after she went to Japanese police at Haneda airport seeking protection late on Sunday, IOC spokesperson Mark Adams told a media conference. A number of agencies were in contact with the sprinter, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, he added.

In a brewing diplomatic incident, it was unclear where Tsimanouskaya would end up with both Poland and the Czech Republic publicly offering her assistance.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-2020-indian-womens-hockey-beat-australia-1-0-to-enter-semis-at-olympics-for-the-first-time-402319" hreflang="en">Tokyo 2020: Indian women's hockey beat Australia 1-0 to enter semis at Olympics for the first time</a>

"She has assured us she is safe and secure. We are talking again to her this morning to understand what the next steps will be," Adams said. "We need to listen to her, find out what she wants and support her in her decision."

The sprinter, who was due to race in the 200 metre heats at Olympic Stadium on Monday, had her Games cut short when she said she was taken to the airport to board a Turkish Airlines flight.

She told a Reuters reporter via Telegram that the Belarusian head coach had turned up at her room on Sunday at the athletes village and told her she had to leave.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-can-we-have-two-golds-high-jumpers-agree-to-share-gold-medal-402327">Tokyo Olympics - 'Can we have two golds': High jumpers agree to share gold medal</a>

"The head coach came over to me and said there had been an order from above to remove me," she wrote in the message. "At 5 (pm) they came my room and told me to pack and they took me to the airport."

But she refused to board the flight, telling Reuters: "I will not return to Belarus."

The Belarusian Olympic Committee said in a statement coaches had decided to withdraw Tsimanouskaya from the Games on doctors' advice about her "emotional, psychological state".

Belarus athletics head coach Yuri Moisevich told state television he "could see there was something wrong with her... She either secluded herself or didn't want to talk."

The IOC would continue conversations with Tsimanouskaya on Monday and the Olympics governing body had asked for a full report from the Belarus' Olympic committee, Adams said.

In response to a number of questions by journalists about what the IOC would do to ensure other athletes in the village were protected, the IOC spokesperson said they were still collecting details about what exactly occurred.

SEEKING ASYLUM

A member of the local Belarusian community, who had been in contact with the athlete throughout the night, told Reuters that after long talks with various officials she had petitioned for asylum in Japan.

The Japanese government said the athlete had been kept safe while Tokyo 2020 organisers and the IOC checked her intentions.

"Japan is coordinating with relevant parties and continue to take appropriate action," said chief cabinet secretary Katsunobu Kato.

Both Poland and the Czech Republic offered their help on Monday.

Polish foreign ministry official Marcin Przydacz wrote on Twitter https://twitter.com/marcin_przydacz/status/1421908856377065474 that Tsimanouskaya has been "offered a humanitarian visa and is free to pursue her sporting career in Poland if she so chooses."

Poland's Olympic committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Czech foreign minister Jakub Kulhanek said he considered the situation around the Belarusian "scandalous."

"The Czech Republic is ready to help," he tweeted. "We are offering her a visa to enter the territory so that she can apply for international protection with us. Our embassy in Tokyo is also ready to help."

Tsimanouskaya's refusal to board the plane, first reported by Reuters, highlighted discord in Belarus, a former Soviet state that is run with a tight grip by President Alexander Lukashenko.

On Monday, the IOC spokesperson said it had taken a number of actions against Belarus' Olympic Committee in the run up to the Games following nationwide protests in the country.

In March, the IOC refused to recognise https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/olympics-ioc-does-not-recognise-lukashenko-sons-belarus-olympic-vote-2021-03-08 the election of Lukashenko's son Viktor as head of the country's Olympic Committee. Both father and son were banned from attending the Games in December.

A Belarusian athlete who refused to board a flight https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/exclusive-olympics-belarusian-athlete-says-she-was-taken-airport-go-home-after-2021-08-01 after she said she was taken to the airport by her team against her wishes was "safe and secure" in Tokyo, the International Olympic Committee said on Monday.

A Belarusian athlete who refused to board a flight https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/exclusive-olympics-belarusian-athlete-says-she-was-taken-airport-go-home-after-2021-08-01 after she said she was taken to the airport by her team against her wishes was "safe and secure" in Tokyo, the International Olympic Committee said on Monday. Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, 24, spent the night in an airport hotel after she went to Japanese police at Haneda airport seeking protection late on Sunday, IOC spokesperson Mark Adams told a media conference. A number of agencies were in contact with the sprinter, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, he added. In a brewing diplomatic incident, it was unclear where Tsimanouskaya would end up with both Poland and the Czech Republic publicly offering her assistance. ALSO READ: Tokyo 2020: Indian women's hockey beat Australia 1-0 to enter semis at Olympics for the first time "She has assured us she is safe and secure. We are talking again to her this morning to understand what the next steps will be," Adams said. "We need to listen to her, find out what she wants and support her in her decision." The sprinter, who was due to race in the 200 metre heats at Olympic Stadium on Monday, had her Games cut short when she said she was taken to the airport to board a Turkish Airlines flight. She told a Reuters reporter via Telegram that the Belarusian head coach had turned up at her room on Sunday at the athletes village and told her she had to leave. ALSO READ | Tokyo Olympics - 'Can we have two golds': High jumpers agree to share gold medal "The head coach came over to me and said there had been an order from above to remove me," she wrote in the message. "At 5 (pm) they came my room and told me to pack and they took me to the airport." But she refused to board the flight, telling Reuters: "I will not return to Belarus." The Belarusian Olympic Committee said in a statement coaches had decided to withdraw Tsimanouskaya from the Games on doctors' advice about her "emotional, psychological state". Belarus athletics head coach Yuri Moisevich told state television he "could see there was something wrong with her... She either secluded herself or didn't want to talk." The IOC would continue conversations with Tsimanouskaya on Monday and the Olympics governing body had asked for a full report from the Belarus' Olympic committee, Adams said. In response to a number of questions by journalists about what the IOC would do to ensure other athletes in the village were protected, the IOC spokesperson said they were still collecting details about what exactly occurred. SEEKING ASYLUM A member of the local Belarusian community, who had been in contact with the athlete throughout the night, told Reuters that after long talks with various officials she had petitioned for asylum in Japan. The Japanese government said the athlete had been kept safe while Tokyo 2020 organisers and the IOC checked her intentions. "Japan is coordinating with relevant parties and continue to take appropriate action," said chief cabinet secretary Katsunobu Kato. Both Poland and the Czech Republic offered their help on Monday. Polish foreign ministry official Marcin Przydacz wrote on Twitter https://twitter.com/marcin_przydacz/status/1421908856377065474 that Tsimanouskaya has been "offered a humanitarian visa and is free to pursue her sporting career in Poland if she so chooses." Poland's Olympic committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Czech foreign minister Jakub Kulhanek said he considered the situation around the Belarusian "scandalous." "The Czech Republic is ready to help," he tweeted. "We are offering her a visa to enter the territory so that she can apply for international protection with us. Our embassy in Tokyo is also ready to help." Tsimanouskaya's refusal to board the plane, first reported by Reuters, highlighted discord in Belarus, a former Soviet state that is run with a tight grip by President Alexander Lukashenko. On Monday, the IOC spokesperson said it had taken a number of actions against Belarus' Olympic Committee in the run up to the Games following nationwide protests in the country. In March, the IOC refused to recognise https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/olympics-ioc-does-not-recognise-lukashenko-sons-belarus-olympic-vote-2021-03-08 the election of Lukashenko's son Viktor as head of the country's Olympic Committee. Both father and son were banned from attending the Games in December.

Olympics: Belarus athlete 'safe and secure' in Tokyo as Poland, Czech offer visas

Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, a 24-year-old Belarusian athlete, has triggered a political row after she <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/olympics-belarus-athlete-safe-and-secure-in-tokyo-as-poland-czech-offer-visas-402334">refused an order to fly home</a> early from the Tokyo Olympics 2020. The track sprinter has also voiced fears for her safety and urged the International Olympic Committee for help. Krystsina was asked to pack and was taken to the airport in Tokyo 'against her will' for allegedly 'criticising' her coaches. However, she did not board the flight and took help from the Japanese police at the airport.&nbsp;

After refusing to go back home, the Belarusian athlete was spotted being walked into a Polish embassy on Monday. Now, Poland has granted her a humanitarian visa, Poland deputy foreign minister said Monday (August 2).

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/photos/india-among-countries-with-highest-cash-rewards-for-tokyo-olympic-medalists-check-out-the-complete-list-402017" hreflang="en">India among countries with highest cash-rewards for Olympic medalists - Check out the complete list</a>

Tsimanouskaya "is already in direct contact with Polish diplomats in Tokyo. She has received a humanitarian visa. Poland will do whatever is necessary to help her to continue her sporting career," Marcin Przydacz wrote on Twitter.

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Kryscina Tsimanouskaya a Belarusian athlet is already in direct contact with Polish diplomats in Tokyo. She has received a humanitarian Visa. Poland will do whatever is necessary to help her to continue her sporting career. 🇵🇱 always stands for Solidarity.
— Marcin Przydacz (@marcin_przydacz) <a href="https://twitter.com/marcin_przydacz/status/1422146358958596100?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Foreign ministry officials were quoted by Polish media saying they expected the athlete to travel to Poland this week

Here's what happened:

In a video, shared on the Telegram channel of the Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation (BSSF), Krystsina revealed that "They [the officials] are trying to get me out of the country without my permission". However, she refused to leave and sought the protection of Japanese police at the airport. BSSF, which was set up in August 2020, supports athletes that have been jailed or sidelined for their political views.&nbsp;

The sprinter, who was supposed to compete in the women's 200m event on Monday (August 2), had also complained about being asked to enter into another race at short notice. In the video, she alleged that after some teammates were found to be ineligible to compete, she was added to the 400m relay event (scheduled for this Thursday (August 5)) at short notice by Belarusian officials. She said,&nbsp;she was "put under pressure".&nbsp;

"The head coach came over to me and said there had been an order from above to remove me," she wrote in the message. "At 5 (pm) they came my room and told me to pack and they took me to the airport."

But she refused to board the flight, telling Reuters: "I will not return to&nbsp;Belarus."

"I think I am safe. I am with the police," she was heard saying at the airport.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-2020-indian-womens-hockey-team-beat-australia-1-0-to-enter-semis-at-olympics-for-the-first-time-402319">Tokyo 2020: Indian women's hockey team beat Australia 1-0 to enter semis at Olympics for the first time</a>

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Kristina <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Timanovskaya?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Timanovskaya</a> asks for help from the International Olympic Committee, since she can be deported from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tokyo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tokyo</a> by the Belarusian invaders at any time. She's under pressure. 
Pay attention <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Olympic</a>, please<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreeBelarus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FreeBelarus</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D0%96%D1%8B%D0%B2%D0%B5%D0%91%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%83%D1%81%D1%8C?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ЖывеБеларусь</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StandWithBelarus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StandWithBelarus</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BelarusSolidarity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BelarusSolidarity</a> <a href="https://t.co/UEC9RSGBon">pic.twitter.com/UEC9RSGBon</a>
— Camilla Sadirova (@camilllca) <a href="https://twitter.com/camilllca/status/1421822925192237057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<meta name="uuid" content="uuidDsd9u65N5uty" /><meta charset="utf-8" />What Belarusian Olympic Committee said?

As soon as the incident came into the limelight, The Belarusian Olympic Committee said in a statement that the coaches had decided to withdraw Tsimanouskaya from the Games on doctors' advice about her "emotional, psychological state".&nbsp;

Yuri Moisevich, as quoted by Reuters, the Belarus athletics head coach told state television that he "could see there was something wrong with her... She either secluded herself or didn't want to talk."&nbsp;

<meta name="uuid" content="uuidDsd9u65N5uty" /><meta charset="utf-8" />

What IOC said?

On being asked about the safety of athletes, the IOC said they were still collecting details about what exactly happened.&nbsp;

<meta name="uuid" content="uuidDsd9u65N5uty" /><meta charset="utf-8" />

What Japanese government say?

The Japanese government said the athlete had been kept safe while Tokyo 2020 organisers and the IOC checked her intentions. "Japan is coordinating with relevant parties and continue to take appropriate action," said chief cabinet secretary Katsunobu Kato.

What's next?

Poland has granted a humanitarian visa to Krystsina. Poland's deputy foreign minister said said Tsimanouskaya had turned to Poland for help out of her "very difficult" situation and was "safe on the grounds of our embassy" in Tokyo, news channel TVN24 reported.

"Poland offers support to Belarusian citizens who for political reasons either want to leave Belarusian territory or do not want to return to Belarus," he said.&nbsp;

Earlier, the minister had raised the issue and wrote on Twitter that Tsimanouskaya has been "offered a humanitarian visa and is free to pursue her sporting career in Poland if she so chooses."

&nbsp;

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Poland 🇵🇱 is ready to help Kryscina Tsimanouskaya a Belarusian athlete ordered by the Lukashenka regime to return form Olympic Games to Minsk. She was offered a humanitarian visa and is free to pursue her sporting career in Poland if she so chooses.
— Marcin Przydacz (@marcin_przydacz) <a href="https://twitter.com/marcin_przydacz/status/1421908856377065474?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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(with inputs from agencies)

Click <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports">here</a> for all sports updates!

Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, a 24-year-old Belarusian athlete, has triggered a political row after she refused an order to fly home early from the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, a 24-year-old Belarusian athlete, has triggered a political row after she refused an order to fly home early from the Tokyo Olympics 2020. The track sprinter has also voiced fears for her safety and urged the International Olympic Committee for help. Krystsina was asked to pack and was taken to the airport in Tokyo 'against her will' for allegedly 'criticising' her coaches. However, she did not board the flight and took help from the Japanese police at the airport. After refusing to go back home, the Belarusian athlete was spotted being walked into a Polish embassy on Monday. Now, Poland has granted her a humanitarian visa, Poland deputy foreign minister said Monday (August 2). ALSO READ | India among countries with highest cash-rewards for Olympic medalists - Check out the complete list Tsimanouskaya "is already in direct contact with Polish diplomats in Tokyo. She has received a humanitarian visa. Poland will do whatever is necessary to help her to continue her sporting career," Marcin Przydacz wrote on Twitter. Kryscina Tsimanouskaya a Belarusian athlet is already in direct contact with Polish diplomats in Tokyo. She has received a humanitarian Visa. Poland will do whatever is necessary to help her to continue her sporting career. 🇵🇱 always stands for Solidarity. — Marcin Przydacz (@marcin_przydacz) August 2, 2021 × Foreign ministry officials were quoted by Polish media saying they expected the athlete to travel to Poland this week Here's what happened: In a video, shared on the Telegram channel of the Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation (BSSF), Krystsina revealed that "They [the officials] are trying to get me out of the country without my permission". However, she refused to leave and sought the protection of Japanese police at the airport. BSSF, which was set up in August 2020, supports athletes that have been jailed or sidelined for their political views. The sprinter, who was supposed to compete in the women's 200m event on Monday (August 2), had also complained about being asked to enter into another race at short notice. In the video, she alleged that after some teammates were found to be ineligible to compete, she was added to the 400m relay event (scheduled for this Thursday (August 5)) at short notice by Belarusian officials. She said, she was "put under pressure". "The head coach came over to me and said there had been an order from above to remove me," she wrote in the message. "At 5 (pm) they came my room and told me to pack and they took me to the airport." But she refused to board the flight, telling Reuters: "I will not return to Belarus." "I think I am safe. I am with the police," she was heard saying at the airport. ALSO READ | Tokyo 2020: Indian women's hockey team beat Australia 1-0 to enter semis at Olympics for the first time Kristina #Timanovskaya asks for help from the International Olympic Committee, since she can be deported from #Tokyo by the Belarusian invaders at any time. She's under pressure. Pay attention @Olympic, please#FreeBelarus #ЖывеБеларусь #StandWithBelarus #BelarusSolidarity pic.twitter.com/UEC9RSGBon — Camilla Sadirova (@camilllca) August 1, 2021 × What Belarusian Olympic Committee said? As soon as the incident came into the limelight, The Belarusian Olympic Committee said in a statement that the coaches had decided to withdraw Tsimanouskaya from the Games on doctors' advice about her "emotional, psychological state". Yuri Moisevich, as quoted by Reuters, the Belarus athletics head coach told state television that he "could see there was something wrong with her... She either secluded herself or didn't want to talk." What IOC said? On being asked about the safety of athletes, the IOC said they were still collecting details about what exactly happened. What Japanese government say? The Japanese government said the athlete had been kept safe while Tokyo 2020 organisers and the IOC checked her intentions. "Japan is coordinating with relevant parties and continue to take appropriate action," said chief cabinet secretary Katsunobu Kato. What's next? Poland has granted a humanitarian visa to Krystsina. Poland's deputy foreign minister said said Tsimanouskaya had turned to Poland for help out of her "very difficult" situation and was "safe on the grounds of our embassy" in Tokyo, news channel TVN24 reported. "Poland offers support to Belarusian citizens who for political reasons either want to leave Belarusian territory or do not want to return to Belarus," he said. Earlier, the minister had raised the issue and wrote on Twitter that Tsimanouskaya has been "offered a humanitarian visa and is free to pursue her sporting career in Poland if she so chooses." Poland 🇵🇱 is ready to help Kryscina Tsimanouskaya a Belarusian athlete ordered by the Lukashenka regime to return form Olympic Games to Minsk. She was offered a humanitarian visa and is free to pursue her sporting career in Poland if she so chooses. — Marcin Przydacz (@marcin_przydacz) August 1, 2021 × (with inputs from agencies) Click here for all sports updates!

Tokyo Olympics - 'I will not return': Belarusian athlete gets Poland visa, here's how the drama unfolded

Belarusian athlete Kristina Timanovskaya said Sunday she was "safe" and under police protection in Japan after claiming her country had forced her to leave the Tokyo Olympics.

"I am safe and they are in the process of deciding where I am going to spend the night," Timanovskaya said in a statement on Telegram published by the Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation (BSSF), an organisation that supports opposition athletes.

The 24-year-old said team officials had tried to remove her from Japan after she criticised Belarus's athletics federation for entering her into a &nbsp;relay race in Tokyo without giving her notice.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tokyo-olympics-another-medal-for-india-pv-sindhu-batters-chinas-he-to-win-bronze-402223" hreflang="en">Olympics: Another medal for India, PV Sindhu batters China's He to win bronze</a>

"It turns out our great bosses as always decided everything for us," she had said on her Instagram stories that are no longer available.

Tsimanouskaya later said in a separate Instagram post that she wouldn't have "reacted so harshly if I had been told in advance, explained the whole situation and asked if I was able to run 400 metres."

"But they decided to do everything behind my back," she added.

The BSSF said Belarus officials had tried to "deport" Timanovskaya.

The group said earlier that the sprinter, who had been due to compete in the women's 200 metres heats in the Olympic Stadium on Monday, was at a Tokyo airport with Belarusian team officials and posted a video in which the athlete appealed to the International Olympic Committee.

"I am under pressure and they are trying to take me out of the country without my consent. I ask the International Olympic Committee to interfere," Timanovskaya said in the video.

Later opposition group issued the statement confirming she was safe.

The Belarusian Olympic Committee had claimed that Timanovskaya left the Tokyo Games on medical advice because of her "emotional and psychological state".

But, speaking through the BSSF, Timanovskaya said that claim was "not true" and said she had not been examined by doctors.

The IOC said in a statement to AFP: "The IOC has seen the reports in the media, is looking into the situation and has asked the NOC (Belarus Olympic officials) for clarification."&nbsp;

BSSF was founded last August by retired Belarusian swimmer Aliaksandra Herasimenia, as protests erupted after the disputed re-election of strongman President Alexander Lukashenko.

Herasimenia -- who now lives in exile in Lithuania -- sold her 2012 world championship gold medal to raise funds for the foundation.

It provides financial and legal assistance to athletes targeted by the authorities after calling for an end to the violent police crackdown on demonstrators.

The turmoil has led to Belarus being stripped of hosting this year's ice hockey world championship and a ban on Lukashenko attending Olympic events.

Belarusian athlete Kristina Timanovskaya said Sunday she was "safe" and under police protection in Japan after claiming her country had forced her to leave the Tokyo Olympics.

Belarusian athlete Kristina Timanovskaya said Sunday she was "safe" and under police protection in Japan after claiming her country had forced her to leave the Tokyo Olympics. "I am safe and they are in the process of deciding where I am going to spend the night," Timanovskaya said in a statement on Telegram published by the Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation (BSSF), an organisation that supports opposition athletes. The 24-year-old said team officials had tried to remove her from Japan after she criticised Belarus's athletics federation for entering her into a relay race in Tokyo without giving her notice. Also read | Olympics: Another medal for India, PV Sindhu batters China's He to win bronze "It turns out our great bosses as always decided everything for us," she had said on her Instagram stories that are no longer available. Tsimanouskaya later said in a separate Instagram post that she wouldn't have "reacted so harshly if I had been told in advance, explained the whole situation and asked if I was able to run 400 metres." "But they decided to do everything behind my back," she added. The BSSF said Belarus officials had tried to "deport" Timanovskaya. The group said earlier that the sprinter, who had been due to compete in the women's 200 metres heats in the Olympic Stadium on Monday, was at a Tokyo airport with Belarusian team officials and posted a video in which the athlete appealed to the International Olympic Committee. "I am under pressure and they are trying to take me out of the country without my consent. I ask the International Olympic Committee to interfere," Timanovskaya said in the video. Later opposition group issued the statement confirming she was safe. The Belarusian Olympic Committee had claimed that Timanovskaya left the Tokyo Games on medical advice because of her "emotional and psychological state". But, speaking through the BSSF, Timanovskaya said that claim was "not true" and said she had not been examined by doctors. The IOC said in a statement to AFP: "The IOC has seen the reports in the media, is looking into the situation and has asked the NOC (Belarus Olympic officials) for clarification." BSSF was founded last August by retired Belarusian swimmer Aliaksandra Herasimenia, as protests erupted after the disputed re-election of strongman President Alexander Lukashenko. Herasimenia -- who now lives in exile in Lithuania -- sold her 2012 world championship gold medal to raise funds for the foundation. It provides financial and legal assistance to athletes targeted by the authorities after calling for an end to the violent police crackdown on demonstrators. The turmoil has led to Belarus being stripped of hosting this year's ice hockey world championship and a ban on Lukashenko attending Olympic events.

Belarus Olympic athlete Kristina Timanovskaya says she is 'safe': NGO

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday held bilateral talks with his Belarusian counterpart Lt Gen Viktor Khrenin on the sidelines of a conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Dushanbe.

Officials said the two ministers deliberated on bilateral defence cooperation and touched upon regional security challenges.

"Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh meeting the Defence Minister of Belarus, Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin on the sidelines of SCO Defence Ministers' meeting in Dushanbe," Singh's office tweeted.

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Raksha Mantri Shri <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rajnathsingh</a> meeting the Defence Minister of Belarus, Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin on the sidelines of SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting in Dushanbe. <a href="https://t.co/MspvW3QguT">pic.twitter.com/MspvW3QguT</a>
— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/DefenceMinIndia/status/1420255611313287171?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The defence minister reached the capital city of Tajikistan on Tuesday on a three-day visit to attend the conclave of the defence ministers of the member states of the SCO.

In his address at the conclave, Singh is expected to pitch for concerted efforts to deal with terrorism and other security challenges facing the region.

The defence minister is also expected to meet his Tajik counterpart Col Gen Sherali Mirzo to discuss bilateral as well as other issues of mutual interest.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajnath-singh-to-visit-tajikistan-for-sco-defence-ministers-meet-400823">Rajnath Singh to visit Tajikistan for SCO defence ministers meet</a>

Tajikistan is chairing the SCO this year and hosting a series of ministerial and official-level meetings.

The SCO, seen as a counterweight to NATO, is an eight-member economic and security bloc and has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations. India and Pakistan became its permanent members in 2017.

The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sco-defence-minsiter-meet-rajnath-singh-to-leave-for-tajikistan-400945/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

India has shown keen interest in deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) that specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence.

India was made an observer at the SCO in 2005 and has generally participated in the ministerial-level meetings of the grouping which focus mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region.&nbsp;

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday held bilateral talks with his Belarusian counterpart Lt Gen Viktor Khrenin on the sidelines of a conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Dushanbe.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday held bilateral talks with his Belarusian counterpart Lt Gen Viktor Khrenin on the sidelines of a conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Dushanbe. Officials said the two ministers deliberated on bilateral defence cooperation and touched upon regional security challenges. "Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh meeting the Defence Minister of Belarus, Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin on the sidelines of SCO Defence Ministers' meeting in Dushanbe," Singh's office tweeted. Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh meeting the Defence Minister of Belarus, Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin on the sidelines of SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting in Dushanbe. pic.twitter.com/MspvW3QguT — रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) July 28, 2021 × The defence minister reached the capital city of Tajikistan on Tuesday on a three-day visit to attend the conclave of the defence ministers of the member states of the SCO. In his address at the conclave, Singh is expected to pitch for concerted efforts to deal with terrorism and other security challenges facing the region. The defence minister is also expected to meet his Tajik counterpart Col Gen Sherali Mirzo to discuss bilateral as well as other issues of mutual interest. Also read | Rajnath Singh to visit Tajikistan for SCO defence ministers meet Tajikistan is chairing the SCO this year and hosting a series of ministerial and official-level meetings. The SCO, seen as a counterweight to NATO, is an eight-member economic and security bloc and has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations. India and Pakistan became its permanent members in 2017. The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India has shown keen interest in deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) that specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence. India was made an observer at the SCO in 2005 and has generally participated in the ministerial-level meetings of the grouping which focus mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region.

Rajnath holds bilateral talks with his Belarusian counterpart in Dushanbe

Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya appealed on Monday for more help from the United States as she began a visit to Washington for meetings with top Biden administration officials this week. 
 
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has kept a tight grip on Belarus since 1994 and has cracked down on street protests that began over a presidential election last August that his opponents say was rigged so that he could retain power. 
 
Tsikhanouskaya, 38, was a candidate in the election instead of her husband, Sergei Tsikhanouskiy, a video blogger who has been jailed since May 2020 on charges such as violating public order, which he denies. Tsikhanouskaya fled to neighboring Lithuania after Lukashenko`s crackdown. 
 
She met with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland and State Department Counselor Derek Chollet, the State Department said in a statement. 
 
It said they discussed the need for the Lukashenko government's "crackdown to end, along with the unconditional release of all political prisoners in Belarus, and an inclusive political dialogue and new presidential elections under international observation." 
 
Tsikhanouskaya also had meetings planned this week with senior White House officials, a senior administration official said. 
 
She told CNN that more help was needed from the United States and the European Union. 
 
"The USA has a moral obligation to be with us. I ask the USA to help civil society survive," she said. "Stand with Belarus." 
 
The senior administration official said the United States "stands with" Tsikhanouskaya and the people of Belarus and "will continue to support their democratic aspirations."

Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya appealed on Monday for more help from the United States as she began a visit to Washington for meetings with top Biden administration officials this week.

Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya appealed on Monday for more help from the United States as she began a visit to Washington for meetings with top Biden administration officials this week. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has kept a tight grip on Belarus since 1994 and has cracked down on street protests that began over a presidential election last August that his opponents say was rigged so that he could retain power. Tsikhanouskaya, 38, was a candidate in the election instead of her husband, Sergei Tsikhanouskiy, a video blogger who has been jailed since May 2020 on charges such as violating public order, which he denies. Tsikhanouskaya fled to neighboring Lithuania after Lukashenko`s crackdown. She met with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland and State Department Counselor Derek Chollet, the State Department said in a statement. It said they discussed the need for the Lukashenko government's "crackdown to end, along with the unconditional release of all political prisoners in Belarus, and an inclusive political dialogue and new presidential elections under international observation." Tsikhanouskaya also had meetings planned this week with senior White House officials, a senior administration official said. She told CNN that more help was needed from the United States and the European Union. "The USA has a moral obligation to be with us. I ask the USA to help civil society survive," she said. "Stand with Belarus." The senior administration official said the United States "stands with" Tsikhanouskaya and the people of Belarus and "will continue to support their democratic aspirations."

On Washington visit, Belarus opposition leader asks US for more help

Lithuania has accused Belarus of using refugees and illegal migrants as a 'political weapon' to put pressure on the European Union because of the bloc's sanctions on Minsk.

Lithuania accused Belarus of using refugees and illegal migrants as 'political weapon'

"We will not stop anyone," Lukashenko said, referring to the migrants. He said the migrants are on their way to "warm and comfortable Europe."

Belarus: Prez Lukashenko denies any help to EU over illegal immigration

Twitter on Friday said that it had unblocked accounts of group of exile opposition groups that call themselves 'Belarussian people's embassies'. The accounts were suspended after they were accused of identity theft apparently by Belarussian authorities

"We took enforcement action on the accounts referenced in error," a Twitter spokesperson said. "This has been reversed, and access to the accounts have been reinstated."

The people's embassy movement sprang up after last year's presidential election, in which long-serving strongman Alexander Lukashenko claimed a resounding victory despite a widespread belief that the vote was fraudulent.

The crackdown that resulted saw hundreds thrown in prison. There were allegations that opposition activists were tortured. The sequence of events started a lively exile movement even in Latvia, Lithuania and Germany. There are many Belarussians in these countries.

The various groups, which assert that Svetlana Tikhanouskaya, now living in Lithuanian exile, won the election, and acknowledge her as Belarus's legitimate President, argue that their social media accounts are in effect 'embassies' of the Belarusian people, not Lukashenko's state.

"Even though the regime is illegitimate, we never claim to be an official embassy," the People's Embassy group in Germany said in a statement. "We represent the people, not the regime."

There was no proof that Belarusian authorities reported the three accounts, @BelarusinS, @BelarusInUK and @BelarusInDE, representing groups in Spain, Britain and Germany, all of which were listed as suspended on the Twitter platform on Friday afternoon, before access was reinstated.

But the group earlier sent journalists and activists a screenshot of an e-mail from Twitter in which the platform said it had been "made aware that this account violates Twitter rules, in particular against identity theft."

Belarus has stepped up its activities against exiled activists.

(With inputs from agencies)

Twitter on Friday said that it had unblocked accounts of group of exile opposition groups that call themselves 'Belarussian people's embassies'. The accounts were suspended after they were accused of identity theft apparently by Belarussian authorities "We took enforcement action on the accounts referenced in error," a Twitter spokesperson said.

Twitter on Friday said that it had unblocked accounts of group of exile opposition groups that call themselves 'Belarussian people's embassies'. The accounts were suspended after they were accused of identity theft apparently by Belarussian authorities "We took enforcement action on the accounts referenced in error," a Twitter spokesperson said. "This has been reversed, and access to the accounts have been reinstated." The people's embassy movement sprang up after last year's presidential election, in which long-serving strongman Alexander Lukashenko claimed a resounding victory despite a widespread belief that the vote was fraudulent. The crackdown that resulted saw hundreds thrown in prison. There were allegations that opposition activists were tortured. The sequence of events started a lively exile movement even in Latvia, Lithuania and Germany. There are many Belarussians in these countries. The various groups, which assert that Svetlana Tikhanouskaya, now living in Lithuanian exile, won the election, and acknowledge her as Belarus's legitimate President, argue that their social media accounts are in effect 'embassies' of the Belarusian people, not Lukashenko's state. "Even though the regime is illegitimate, we never claim to be an official embassy," the People's Embassy group in Germany said in a statement. "We represent the people, not the regime." There was no proof that Belarusian authorities reported the three accounts, @BelarusinS, @BelarusInUK and @BelarusInDE, representing groups in Spain, Britain and Germany, all of which were listed as suspended on the Twitter platform on Friday afternoon, before access was reinstated. But the group earlier sent journalists and activists a screenshot of an e-mail from Twitter in which the platform said it had been "made aware that this account violates Twitter rules, in particular against identity theft." Belarus has stepped up its activities against exiled activists. (With inputs from agencies)

Twitter unblocks accounts of Belarus 'embassies' suspended earlier

The United States on Tuesday banned ticket sales for air travel to and from Belarus, acting after Minsk forced a Ryanair flight to land and arrested a dissident journalist aboard. 
 
The order is Washington's latest response to Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko's harsh crackdown against months of pro-democracy protests over his alleged rigging of an August 2020 election. The longtime ruler denies election fraud. 
 
The United States and the European Union have refused to recognise his victory and imposed sanctions against top Belarusian officials and other targets. 
 
In issuing the ban, the US&nbsp;Transportation Department said the State Department had determined that limiting travel between the United States and Belarus was in Washington's foreign policy interest following the diversion of the Ryanair flight. 
 
The order still would permit "the operation of any transportation deemed to be in the national interest of the United States, including on humanitarian or national security grounds," according to the text. 
 
It said the order would extend to 'interline' travel in which tickets are purchased through one airline that contain flights operated by multiple airlines. 
 
The directive, under consideration for several weeks, is mostly symbolic since relatively few tickets are purchased for travel to Belarus from US-based travel services. 
 
It is open for public comment until July 1. 
 
After the May 23 forced landing of the Ryanair flight en route from Athens to Vilnius, the US&nbsp;government advised passenger airlines to use extreme caution when flying over Belarus. At the time, the United States stopped short of imposing any restrictions. 
 
The 'Notice to Airmen' does not apply to cargo carriers, such as United Parcel Service and Fedex Corp that fly over Belarus. 
 
United Airlines flies a route to India that sometimes is routed near Belarus, but no other US&nbsp;passenger carrier typically flies through the former Soviet republic's airspace.

The United States on Tuesday banned ticket sales for air travel to and from Belarus, acting after Minsk forced a Ryanair flight to land and arrested a dissident journalist aboard.

The United States on Tuesday banned ticket sales for air travel to and from Belarus, acting after Minsk forced a Ryanair flight to land and arrested a dissident journalist aboard. The order is Washington's latest response to Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko's harsh crackdown against months of pro-democracy protests over his alleged rigging of an August 2020 election. The longtime ruler denies election fraud. The United States and the European Union have refused to recognise his victory and imposed sanctions against top Belarusian officials and other targets. In issuing the ban, the US Transportation Department said the State Department had determined that limiting travel between the United States and Belarus was in Washington's foreign policy interest following the diversion of the Ryanair flight. The order still would permit "the operation of any transportation deemed to be in the national interest of the United States, including on humanitarian or national security grounds," according to the text. It said the order would extend to 'interline' travel in which tickets are purchased through one airline that contain flights operated by multiple airlines. The directive, under consideration for several weeks, is mostly symbolic since relatively few tickets are purchased for travel to Belarus from US-based travel services. It is open for public comment until July 1. After the May 23 forced landing of the Ryanair flight en route from Athens to Vilnius, the US government advised passenger airlines to use extreme caution when flying over Belarus. At the time, the United States stopped short of imposing any restrictions. The 'Notice to Airmen' does not apply to cargo carriers, such as United Parcel Service and Fedex Corp that fly over Belarus. United Airlines flies a route to India that sometimes is routed near Belarus, but no other US passenger carrier typically flies through the former Soviet republic's airspace.

US bans ticket sales for passenger flights to Belarus

Sergei Tikhanovsky, 42, was arrested in May 2020 after planning to run for president. "It is fake trial of course and fake judges, fake prosecutors, because they made this process closed not to show people how brave and strong people are behind bars,” she told.

Husband of Belarusian opposition leader goes on trial

After the US imposed sanctions on several top Belarus officials, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-imposes-new-sanctions-on-belarus-after-plane-re-routing-391990">European Union</a> blacklisted the country's defence minister&nbsp;Viktor Khrenin and transport minister&nbsp;Alexei Avramenko&nbsp;over the plane diversion row.

The EU added 71 individuals including Russian tycoon Mikhail Gutseriyev, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-removes-belarusian-opposition-leader-sviatlana-tsikhanouskaya-from-wanted-list-391626">Lukashenko's</a> son Dmitry and daughter-in-law Liliya to the sanctions list.

Watch:

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EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell had earlier said that new sanctions would be imposed against "86 people and entities".

EU states are set to impose fresh sanctions on Belarus' financial, oil, tobacco and potash sectors, reports said as Austria's foreign minister Alexander Schallenberg stated that Europe is set to "tighten the thumbscrews" over the country's "air piracy".

President Lukashenko's government had earlier forced a Ryanair flight to land and forcibly arrested dissident blogger Roman Protasevich who was onboard leading EU nations to come down heavily against the regime.

The EU had earlier slapped sanctions against 88 individuals last year&nbsp;over crackdown on protests as&nbsp;President Lukashenko claimed victory in polls which was deemed fraudulent by European officials.

Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya claimed victory in the polls but was forced to leave&nbsp;the country.

Meanwhile, UN High Commissioner for human rights Michelle Bachelet said that the situation in Belarus continues to deteriorate.

Bachelet hit out against restrictions on freedom of expression including raids against civil society. The rights chief said there were numerous reports of "arbitrary arrests, detentions, torture and ill-treatment."

(With inputs from Agencies)

After the US imposed sanctions on several top Belarus officials, the European Union blacklisted the country's defence minister Viktor Khrenin and transport minister Alexei Avramenko over the plane diversion row.

After the US imposed sanctions on several top Belarus officials, the European Union blacklisted the country's defence minister Viktor Khrenin and transport minister Alexei Avramenko over the plane diversion row. The EU added 71 individuals including Russian tycoon Mikhail Gutseriyev, Lukashenko's son Dmitry and daughter-in-law Liliya to the sanctions list. Watch: EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell had earlier said that new sanctions would be imposed against "86 people and entities". EU states are set to impose fresh sanctions on Belarus' financial, oil, tobacco and potash sectors, reports said as Austria's foreign minister Alexander Schallenberg stated that Europe is set to "tighten the thumbscrews" over the country's "air piracy". President Lukashenko's government had earlier forced a Ryanair flight to land and forcibly arrested dissident blogger Roman Protasevich who was onboard leading EU nations to come down heavily against the regime. The EU had earlier slapped sanctions against 88 individuals last year over crackdown on protests as President Lukashenko claimed victory in polls which was deemed fraudulent by European officials. Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya claimed victory in the polls but was forced to leave the country. Meanwhile, UN High Commissioner for human rights Michelle Bachelet said that the situation in Belarus continues to deteriorate. Bachelet hit out against restrictions on freedom of expression including raids against civil society. The rights chief said there were numerous reports of "arbitrary arrests, detentions, torture and ill-treatment." (With inputs from Agencies)

EU blacklists Belarus ministers as US slaps sanctions on officials

Previously, authorities said Protasevich is an extremist who has facilitated violence. They have maintained that televised confessions by members of the opposition were made voluntarily.

Jailed Belarus journalist makes another public appearance

Belarusian opposition said on Monday that&nbsp;Jailed journalist Roman Protasevich was&nbsp;paraded as 'trophy' in latest public appearance&nbsp;made under duress.

Protasevich sat alongside four officials, two of whom were in uniform, saying he had not been made to cooperate with the authorities and that he was in good health after being arrested last month when his Ryanair flight was forced to land in Minsk.

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"Everything is fine with me. Nobody beat me, nobody touched me," he said. "I understand the damage I have caused not only to the state, but also to the country. Now I want to do everything in my power to rectify this situation."

Protasevich has made several appearances since his plane was forced to land in Minsk while on a May 23 flight from Greece to Lithuania via Belarusian air space. He has admitted to plotting to topple President Alexander Lukashenko by organising "riots" and recanted earlier criticism of the veteran leader.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belarus-opposition-leader-accuses-lukashenko-of-turning-country-into-north-korea-of-europe-387485">Belarus opposition leader accuses Lukashenko of turning country into 'North Korea of Europe'</a>

"No matter what he says, let's not forget: he is a hostage. And the regime is using him as a trophy," Franak Viacorka, a senior adviser to exiled Belarusian opposition figure Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, wrote on Twitter.

"This is not a press conference but a scene of either Kafka or Orwell."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The Ryanair incident has shown that the international response can be swift, decisive, and effective. We can speak with a unified voice – for the sake of the freedom in Belarus, for the sake of European and global citizens’ safety. For the sake of all of us! <a href="https://t.co/QkOH9aQy9K">pic.twitter.com/QkOH9aQy9K</a>
— Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (@Tsihanouskaya) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tsihanouskaya/status/1404363505596313602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Belarus of the Brain, the blogging outlet that Protasevich ran before his arrest, said his latest appearance was made under duress and showed the "strongest psychological pressure" being exerted on the 26-year-old.

Previously, authorities said Protasevich is an extremist who has facilitated violence. They have maintained that televised confessions by members of the opposition were made voluntarily.

There was an international uproar when the Athens-to-Warsaw Ryanair flight on which Protasevic and his Russian girlfriend Sofia Sapega were travelling was intercepted by a Belarusian fighter and forced to land in Minsk.

The European Union has imposed sanctions including assets freezes and visa bans and told European operators not to use Belarusian air space.

But two senior officials at Monday's news conference reiterated the official line in Minsk that the flight had to be diverted because they had received a &nbsp;bomb threat from the Palestinian group Hamas.

Several Western leaders have dismissed this version of events, notably German Chancellor Angela Merkel who described it as "completely implausible".

Belarus has been shaken by unprecedented mass protests since the disputed re-election last year of Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled since 1994 with the support of Russia.

Lukashenko has responded with a crackdown on protesters, jailing many and forcing many others into exile.

Belarusian opposition said on Monday that Jailed journalist Roman Protasevich was paraded as 'trophy' in latest public appearance made under duress. Protasevich sat alongside four officials, two of whom were in uniform, saying he had not been made to cooperate with the authorities and that he was in good health after being arrested last month when his Ryanair flight was forced to land in Minsk.

Belarusian opposition said on Monday that Jailed journalist Roman Protasevich was paraded as 'trophy' in latest public appearance made under duress. Protasevich sat alongside four officials, two of whom were in uniform, saying he had not been made to cooperate with the authorities and that he was in good health after being arrested last month when his Ryanair flight was forced to land in Minsk. "Everything is fine with me. Nobody beat me, nobody touched me," he said. "I understand the damage I have caused not only to the state, but also to the country. Now I want to do everything in my power to rectify this situation." Protasevich has made several appearances since his plane was forced to land in Minsk while on a May 23 flight from Greece to Lithuania via Belarusian air space. He has admitted to plotting to topple President Alexander Lukashenko by organising "riots" and recanted earlier criticism of the veteran leader. Also read| Belarus opposition leader accuses Lukashenko of turning country into 'North Korea of Europe' "No matter what he says, let's not forget: he is a hostage. And the regime is using him as a trophy," Franak Viacorka, a senior adviser to exiled Belarusian opposition figure Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, wrote on Twitter. "This is not a press conference but a scene of either Kafka or Orwell." The Ryanair incident has shown that the international response can be swift, decisive, and effective. We can speak with a unified voice – for the sake of the freedom in Belarus, for the sake of European and global citizens’ safety. For the sake of all of us! pic.twitter.com/QkOH9aQy9K — Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (@Tsihanouskaya) June 14, 2021 × Belarus of the Brain, the blogging outlet that Protasevich ran before his arrest, said his latest appearance was made under duress and showed the "strongest psychological pressure" being exerted on the 26-year-old. Previously, authorities said Protasevich is an extremist who has facilitated violence. They have maintained that televised confessions by members of the opposition were made voluntarily. There was an international uproar when the Athens-to-Warsaw Ryanair flight on which Protasevic and his Russian girlfriend Sofia Sapega were travelling was intercepted by a Belarusian fighter and forced to land in Minsk. The European Union has imposed sanctions including assets freezes and visa bans and told European operators not to use Belarusian air space. But two senior officials at Monday's news conference reiterated the official line in Minsk that the flight had to be diverted because they had received a bomb threat from the Palestinian group Hamas. Several Western leaders have dismissed this version of events, notably German Chancellor Angela Merkel who described it as "completely implausible". Belarus has been shaken by unprecedented mass protests since the disputed re-election last year of Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled since 1994 with the support of Russia. Lukashenko has responded with a crackdown on protesters, jailing many and forcing many others into exile.

Belarus opposition says jailed journalist paraded as 'trophy' in latest public appearance

Lithuania told a summit of NATO leaders on Monday that Russia was trying to 'swallow' Belarus and that the Western military alliance needed to be united in deterring Moscow. 
 
"Belarus is losing the last elements of the independence, and those trends are very dangerous," Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said on arriving to the talks. 
 
"I would expect that (US) President Biden will send a very clear message about the decisiveness and unity of NATO, and will react with very clear messages to what is happening," he said, adding that NATO won't have closer ties with Russia for as long as Moscow does not change its course.

Recently,&nbsp;according to the Russian military, the country's defence forces started large-scale drills in the central part of the Pacific Ocean.

The Russian defence ministry said, "an operational exercise of the fleet’s combined arms forces is running in the distant maritime zone."

The Russian military exercise involves submarines and missile cruiser including the anti-submarine warfare ship Admiral Panteleyev and the MiG-31 interceptor.

Russia has sent twenty warships including support vessels for the exercise along with the frigate "Marshal Shaposhnikov". The Russian navy will also showcase the Tu-142mz long-range anti-submarine aircraft during the exercise.

The Russian defence military's move comes as NATO launched one of its biggest air and missile exercise named “At-Sea-Demo/Formidable Shield” involving ten nations off Norway and Scotland last month.

NATO said part of the exercise was to 'detect and track' missiles at 20,000 km per hour.

"Ships will also defend against an array of anti-ship and other sub and supersonic missiles," NATO declared.

The NATO exercise ended on June 3 as several nations including France, Germany, Italy, UK, the US and Belgium took part.

Lithuania told a summit of NATO leaders on Monday that Russia was trying to 'swallow' Belarus and that the Western military alliance needed to be united in deterring Moscow.

Lithuania told a summit of NATO leaders on Monday that Russia was trying to 'swallow' Belarus and that the Western military alliance needed to be united in deterring Moscow. "Belarus is losing the last elements of the independence, and those trends are very dangerous," Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said on arriving to the talks. "I would expect that (US) President Biden will send a very clear message about the decisiveness and unity of NATO, and will react with very clear messages to what is happening," he said, adding that NATO won't have closer ties with Russia for as long as Moscow does not change its course. Recently, according to the Russian military, the country's defence forces started large-scale drills in the central part of the Pacific Ocean. The Russian defence ministry said, "an operational exercise of the fleet’s combined arms forces is running in the distant maritime zone." The Russian military exercise involves submarines and missile cruiser including the anti-submarine warfare ship Admiral Panteleyev and the MiG-31 interceptor. Russia has sent twenty warships including support vessels for the exercise along with the frigate "Marshal Shaposhnikov". The Russian navy will also showcase the Tu-142mz long-range anti-submarine aircraft during the exercise. The Russian defence military's move comes as NATO launched one of its biggest air and missile exercise named “At-Sea-Demo/Formidable Shield” involving ten nations off Norway and Scotland last month. NATO said part of the exercise was to 'detect and track' missiles at 20,000 km per hour. "Ships will also defend against an array of anti-ship and other sub and supersonic missiles," NATO declared. The NATO exercise ended on June 3 as several nations including France, Germany, Italy, UK, the US and Belgium took part.

At NATO, Lithuania says Russia trying to 'swallow' Belarus

Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny received a human rights award on Tuesday, May 8, and he dedicated the prize to all the political prisoners in Russia and Belarus.&nbsp;

The Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, which is an annual conference sponsored by 25 human rights NGOs all across the globe, gave the Moral Courage Award to Navalny.&nbsp;

Navalny has been imprisoned in a penal colony near Moscow for four months now. He was sentenced to over three years in prison by a Moscow court in February for violating the terms of his probation linked to a 2014 ruling.&nbsp;

Navalny's daughter, Daria Navalny, in a virtual speech accepting the award on his behalf, said, “My dad asked me today to give this award to every single political prisoner in Russia and Belarus”.&nbsp;

Citing a letter she received from her father, she said, “He wrote that most of them are in a much worse situation compared to me because they're not well known or famous. They should know that they are not alone or forgotten about”.

She described herself "as a proud daughter and as a Russian citizen, concerned about the fast downfall of democracy in my country”.&nbsp;

Navalny will be required to spend two years and eight months in prison as he has served a year on house arrest in 2014. Doctors have expressed concerns about his health while in prison.&nbsp;

Navalny also temporarily went on a hunger strike at one point to gain access to better medical care. He began refusing food to demand treatment for acute pain in his back that’s spreading to his legs, and an end to prison guards waking him each hour.&nbsp;

As per his supporters, Navalny had already lost eight kilograms in the three weeks before beginning the hunger strike, taking his weight to 85 kilograms.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny received a human rights award on Tuesday, May 8, and he dedicated the prize to all the political prisoners in Russia and Belarus.

Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny received a human rights award on Tuesday, May 8, and he dedicated the prize to all the political prisoners in Russia and Belarus. The Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, which is an annual conference sponsored by 25 human rights NGOs all across the globe, gave the Moral Courage Award to Navalny. Navalny has been imprisoned in a penal colony near Moscow for four months now. He was sentenced to over three years in prison by a Moscow court in February for violating the terms of his probation linked to a 2014 ruling. Navalny's daughter, Daria Navalny, in a virtual speech accepting the award on his behalf, said, “My dad asked me today to give this award to every single political prisoner in Russia and Belarus”. Citing a letter she received from her father, she said, “He wrote that most of them are in a much worse situation compared to me because they're not well known or famous. They should know that they are not alone or forgotten about”. She described herself "as a proud daughter and as a Russian citizen, concerned about the fast downfall of democracy in my country”. Navalny will be required to spend two years and eight months in prison as he has served a year on house arrest in 2014. Doctors have expressed concerns about his health while in prison. Navalny also temporarily went on a hunger strike at one point to gain access to better medical care. He began refusing food to demand treatment for acute pain in his back that’s spreading to his legs, and an end to prison guards waking him each hour. As per his supporters, Navalny had already lost eight kilograms in the three weeks before beginning the hunger strike, taking his weight to 85 kilograms. (With inputs from agencies)

Navalny dedicates human rights award to political prisoners in Russia and Belarus 

Keeping its promise to sanction Belarus the European Union has banned Belarusian planes in its airspace and airports.

Belarusian planes banned in EU airspace

Belarusian journalist Roman Protasevich, who was arrested after Ryanair plane diversion, appeared on state television in a tearful interview that family and campaigners say was conducted under duress.

Belarus TV broadcasts tearful interview with detained activist Roman Protasevich

&nbsp;Amid tensions over <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-restricts-belarusian-access-to-headquarters-388648">Belarus</a>, Germany's transport ministry said today that it had blocked flights by Russian airlines after authorities failed to provide authorisation for Lufthansa.

Watch:

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Lufthansa had earlier said it had been given approval for the new routes for its flights to Moscow and St Petersburg.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had earlier advised domestic and foreign airlines to avoid Belarusian airspace.

"Due to the reciprocal practice, the Federal Aviation Authority also did not issue any further permits for flights operated by Russian airlines as long as authorisations are pending on the Russian side," the German transport ministry said while adding that as soon as Lufthansa flights are granted authorisation&nbsp;by the Russian side, the flights from Russia&nbsp;would be approved.&nbsp;

EU has&nbsp;imposed a flight ban over Belarusian airspace after the forced landing of a plane by Lukashenko's regime and the arrest of a dissident journalist 26-year-old Roman Protasevich.

Lufthansa was among the airlines that had decided to stop flying over Belarus.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
"I think the flight restrictions, and particularly those on overflying of European territory are very tough for Belarus and then extra sanctions," French President Macron had said.

Macron insisted that the European nations have "reached a moment of truth" in its relationship with Russia which is an ally of the Lukashenko regime.

German foreign minister Heiko Maas had said earlier that President Lukashenko must pay a "bitter price" for detaining Protasevich as the White House announced that&nbsp;President Biden will take up the incident with Russian President Putin during their summit this month.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Amid tensions over Belarus, Germany's transport ministry said today that it had blocked flights by Russian airlines after authorities failed to provide authorisation for Lufthansa.

Amid tensions over Belarus, Germany's transport ministry said today that it had blocked flights by Russian airlines after authorities failed to provide authorisation for Lufthansa. Watch: Lufthansa had earlier said it had been given approval for the new routes for its flights to Moscow and St Petersburg. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had earlier advised domestic and foreign airlines to avoid Belarusian airspace. "Due to the reciprocal practice, the Federal Aviation Authority also did not issue any further permits for flights operated by Russian airlines as long as authorisations are pending on the Russian side," the German transport ministry said while adding that as soon as Lufthansa flights are granted authorisation by the Russian side, the flights from Russia would be approved. EU has imposed a flight ban over Belarusian airspace after the forced landing of a plane by Lukashenko's regime and the arrest of a dissident journalist 26-year-old Roman Protasevich. Lufthansa was among the airlines that had decided to stop flying over Belarus. "I think the flight restrictions, and particularly those on overflying of European territory are very tough for Belarus and then extra sanctions," French President Macron had said. Macron insisted that the European nations have "reached a moment of truth" in its relationship with Russia which is an ally of the Lukashenko regime. German foreign minister Heiko Maas had said earlier that President Lukashenko must pay a "bitter price" for detaining Protasevich as the White House announced that President Biden will take up the incident with Russian President Putin during their summit this month. (With inputs from Agencies)

In tit-for-tat move, Germany blocks Russian flights amid tensions over Belarus

Belarus on Thursday announced that the United States would have to cut its diplomatic and administrative staff in the ex-Soviet country as part of retaliatory sanctions following punitive measures from Washington.

The Belarusian foreign ministry also said that permission for the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to work in the country had been revoked.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/norway-summons-american-embassy-official-amid-denmark-us-nsa-spying-row-389260" hreflang="en">Norway summons American embassy official amid Denmark-US NSA spying row</a>

In a statement, the Belarusian foreign ministry spokesman, Anatoly Glaz, said the United States would have to cut its diplomatic and administrative staff in Belarus and visa procedures would also be tightened. He did not provide specifics.

In April, the United States said it was reimposing sanctions on nine state-owned companies in Belarus after strongman Alexander Lukashenko ignored warnings to release political prisoners following a crackdown on the opposition after a disputed election last year.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-distribute-80-million-vaccine-doses-through-covax-india-to-receive-6-million-in-first-phase-white-house-389263" hreflang="en">US to distribute 80 million vaccine doses through Covax; India to receive 6 million in first phase: White House</a>

The sanctions came into effect earlier Thursday.

Glaz said the US measures would only hurt "ordinary Belarus citizens".

"These actions are illegal, contradict international law and are aimed at putting pressure on a sovereign state," he said in the statement.

Last week the White House announced it would impose more sanctions on Belarus after it diverted a European flight and arrested a dissident on board.

Lukashenko in 2008 threw out the US ambassador after the George W. Bush administration imposed sanctions on the president, his allies and a state oil company following elections seen as unfair and a crackdown on protesters.

Belarus on Thursday announced that the United States would have to cut its diplomatic and administrative staff in the ex-Soviet country as part of retaliatory sanctions following punitive measures from Washington.

Belarus on Thursday announced that the United States would have to cut its diplomatic and administrative staff in the ex-Soviet country as part of retaliatory sanctions following punitive measures from Washington. The Belarusian foreign ministry also said that permission for the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to work in the country had been revoked. Also read | Norway summons American embassy official amid Denmark-US NSA spying row In a statement, the Belarusian foreign ministry spokesman, Anatoly Glaz, said the United States would have to cut its diplomatic and administrative staff in Belarus and visa procedures would also be tightened. He did not provide specifics. In April, the United States said it was reimposing sanctions on nine state-owned companies in Belarus after strongman Alexander Lukashenko ignored warnings to release political prisoners following a crackdown on the opposition after a disputed election last year. Also read | US to distribute 80 million vaccine doses through Covax; India to receive 6 million in first phase: White House The sanctions came into effect earlier Thursday. Glaz said the US measures would only hurt "ordinary Belarus citizens". "These actions are illegal, contradict international law and are aimed at putting pressure on a sovereign state," he said in the statement. Last week the White House announced it would impose more sanctions on Belarus after it diverted a European flight and arrested a dissident on board. Lukashenko in 2008 threw out the US ambassador after the George W. Bush administration imposed sanctions on the president, his allies and a state oil company following elections seen as unfair and a crackdown on protesters.

Belarus slaps retaliatory sanctions on US

Belarusian activist Stepan Latypov stabbed himself in the neck with a pen during a court hearing in Minsk. Viasna, an independent rights group monitoring the trial of Stepan Latypov, said it believed the activist had tried to commit suicide following pressure in detention.

Belarusian activist stabs himself in neck in court to protest political repression

A Belarusian political activist stabbed himself in the neck on the first day of his trial Tuesday and was rushed to hospital, a rights group said.

Viasna, an independent rights group monitoring the trial of Stepan Latypov, said it believed the activist had tried to commit suicide following pressure in detention.

Thousands of opposition activists and protesters have been arrested and gone on trial in a harsh crackdown on anti-government demonstrations that erupted last year.

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More heartbreaking pictures from Belarus today. Political prisoner Stepan Latypov slit his throat in the courtroom. His last words were: “Dad, they said if I don’t plead guilty, they go after my family and neighbors”. <a href="https://t.co/dkWbqE5Bmk">pic.twitter.com/dkWbqE5Bmk</a>
— olexander scherba (@olex_scherba) <a href="https://twitter.com/olex_scherba/status/1399733335111446532?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Latypov, 41, was detained in September and went on trial in the capital Minsk on Tuesday on multiple charges including creating protest symbols and resisting law enforcement.

Viasna said he appeared in court with bruises and that after his father was questioned Latypov climbed on a bench and stabbed himself in the neck with what appeared to be a pen.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/belarus-imposes-new-rules-restricting-citizens-from-leaving-country-388737" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/belarus-imposes-new-rules-restricting-citizens-from-leaving-country-388737&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjAtoTQvvjwAhXqgtgFHfbhC78QFjAFegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw266SJSi5AI-SYkprdiCSnn" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belarus-imposes-new-rules-restricting-citizens-from-leaving-country-388737" target="_blank">Belarus&nbsp;imposes new rules restricting citizens from leaving country</a>

"Stepan turned blue and lay down on the bench, an ambulance was called," Viasna said.&nbsp;

Unconscious, he was taken out of the courtroom and hospitalised, Viasna said.

The Belarusian health ministry said Tuesday evening that Latypov had regained consciousness and his life was not in danger.

"All necessary medical measures have been taken," the ministry said on its Telegram account.&nbsp;

"The patient is in a stable condition, there is no danger of death."

Latypov had told his father he had come under pressure in detention, said Viasna, which along with other groups declared him a political prisoner last year.

Prominent opposition politician Andrei Sannikov said it was an "act of desperation" and another demonstration of the "murderous nature" of President Alexander Lukashenko's regime.

Belarus was gripped by months of demonstrations that erupted after a disputed presidential election last August saw Lukashenko claim a sixth term in office.

Security forces cracked down hard on the protests, detaining and imprisoning thousands of demonstrators and pushing opposition leaders into exile. Several people died in the unrest.

Another Belarusian political activist, 50-year-old Vitold Ashurok, died in jail in the east of the country last month, reportedly of cardiac arrest.&nbsp;

Belarus has faced a global outcry after Lukashenko's government ordered the diversion of a European flight over its airspace on May 23 and arrested dissident Roman Protasevich who was on board.&nbsp;

A Belarusian political activist stabbed himself in the neck on the first day of his trial Tuesday and was rushed to hospital, a rights group said. Viasna, an independent rights group monitoring the trial of Stepan Latypov, said it believed the activist had tried to commit suicide following pressure in detention.

A Belarusian political activist stabbed himself in the neck on the first day of his trial Tuesday and was rushed to hospital, a rights group said. Viasna, an independent rights group monitoring the trial of Stepan Latypov, said it believed the activist had tried to commit suicide following pressure in detention. Thousands of opposition activists and protesters have been arrested and gone on trial in a harsh crackdown on anti-government demonstrations that erupted last year. More heartbreaking pictures from Belarus today. Political prisoner Stepan Latypov slit his throat in the courtroom. His last words were: “Dad, they said if I don’t plead guilty, they go after my family and neighbors”. pic.twitter.com/dkWbqE5Bmk — olexander scherba (@olex_scherba) June 1, 2021 × Latypov, 41, was detained in September and went on trial in the capital Minsk on Tuesday on multiple charges including creating protest symbols and resisting law enforcement. Viasna said he appeared in court with bruises and that after his father was questioned Latypov climbed on a bench and stabbed himself in the neck with what appeared to be a pen. Also read | Belarus imposes new rules restricting citizens from leaving country "Stepan turned blue and lay down on the bench, an ambulance was called," Viasna said. Unconscious, he was taken out of the courtroom and hospitalised, Viasna said. The Belarusian health ministry said Tuesday evening that Latypov had regained consciousness and his life was not in danger. "All necessary medical measures have been taken," the ministry said on its Telegram account. "The patient is in a stable condition, there is no danger of death." Latypov had told his father he had come under pressure in detention, said Viasna, which along with other groups declared him a political prisoner last year. Prominent opposition politician Andrei Sannikov said it was an "act of desperation" and another demonstration of the "murderous nature" of President Alexander Lukashenko's regime. Belarus was gripped by months of demonstrations that erupted after a disputed presidential election last August saw Lukashenko claim a sixth term in office. Security forces cracked down hard on the protests, detaining and imprisoning thousands of demonstrators and pushing opposition leaders into exile. Several people died in the unrest. Another Belarusian political activist, 50-year-old Vitold Ashurok, died in jail in the east of the country last month, reportedly of cardiac arrest. Belarus has faced a global outcry after Lukashenko's government ordered the diversion of a European flight over its airspace on May 23 and arrested dissident Roman Protasevich who was on board.

Belarus activist stabs himself in neck in court: Rights group

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said on Tuesday she had asked the United States for further sanctions on individuals and companies supporting the Belarus government. 
 
The Biden administration said on Friday it was drawing up a list of targeted sanctions against key members of the Belarusian government following the former Soviet republic`s forced landing of a passenger jet and arrest of a journalist Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend Sofia Sapega on board. 
 
Speaking in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius where she is based, Tsikhanouskaya said she welcomed a decision by the United States to introduce sanctions against Belarusian state-owned oil companies starting from June 3rd. 
 
"But we also ask for futher measures in targeted sanctions against enterprises and individuals supporting the regime", Tsikhanouskaya said after a meeting with Democratic and Republican senators from the US&nbsp;Foreign Relations Committee. 
 
"Sanctions should help to stop the violence and help release of all political prisoners", she added. 
 
Senator Jeanne Shaheen told reporters Belarus President Alexander Lukashenka should release Protasevich and Sapega immediately, and unharmed, and Lukashenka would be held accountable for their wellbeing. 
 
The United States would do everything it could to support the efforts of the Belarusian people efforts towards democracy, Shaheen added. 
 
"To Lukashenko, I say, it`s time for you to go. Make room for a democratically elected leader, more deserving of your people", Shaheen said.

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said on Tuesday she had asked the United States for further sanctions on individuals and companies supporting the Belarus government.

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya said on Tuesday she had asked the United States for further sanctions on individuals and companies supporting the Belarus government. The Biden administration said on Friday it was drawing up a list of targeted sanctions against key members of the Belarusian government following the former Soviet republic`s forced landing of a passenger jet and arrest of a journalist Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend Sofia Sapega on board. Speaking in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius where she is based, Tsikhanouskaya said she welcomed a decision by the United States to introduce sanctions against Belarusian state-owned oil companies starting from June 3rd. "But we also ask for futher measures in targeted sanctions against enterprises and individuals supporting the regime", Tsikhanouskaya said after a meeting with Democratic and Republican senators from the US Foreign Relations Committee. "Sanctions should help to stop the violence and help release of all political prisoners", she added. Senator Jeanne Shaheen told reporters Belarus President Alexander Lukashenka should release Protasevich and Sapega immediately, and unharmed, and Lukashenka would be held accountable for their wellbeing. The United States would do everything it could to support the efforts of the Belarusian people efforts towards democracy, Shaheen added. "To Lukashenko, I say, it`s time for you to go. Make room for a democratically elected leader, more deserving of your people", Shaheen said.

Belarus opposition leader calls for more US sanctions

Belarus' border security agency has announced a severe tightening of already strict rules limiting citizens' ability to exit the country to curb the spread of the COVID-19.

The changes, which the agency said, were temporary and designed to stop the spread of the coronavirus, essentially block all land border crossings.

However, citizens have fled the former Soviet bloc country since Alexander Lukashenko was declared the winner of a disputed presidential election last August and mass protests over election rigging were met with a severe crackdown, reported DW News.

It further reported that 'fearing' the prospect of a mass exodus of medical and IT experts, the government in Minsk began making it more difficult for citizens to leave the country last December, by limiting departures to those Belarus citizens, who could present long-term residency permits from abroad.

The new rules now forbid the holders of such documents from leaving as well. Those who can prove that they have permanent resident status in another country will be permitted to travel abroad.

While Opposition slammed the Alexander Lukashenko-led government and termed the rules 'violation of the law.'

Valery Kavaleuski, a representative for Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, took to Twitter to express his outrage, calling the move an 'outright violation of the law'.&nbsp;

Air travel to and from the country has also come to a virtual standstill in the wake of last week's government-ordered diversion of a Ryanair flight en route from Greece to Lithuania.

The commercial jet was forced to land under false pretenses so that Belarus authorities could arrest blogger and Lukashenko critic Raman Pratasevich. The move outraged the world with the EU blocking most flights to and over Belarus.

Score of people across Europe has been demonstrating against the 'illegle' detention of the journalist.

Belarus' border security agency has announced a severe tightening of already strict rules limiting citizens' ability to exit the country to curb the spread of the COVID-19.

Belarus' border security agency has announced a severe tightening of already strict rules limiting citizens' ability to exit the country to curb the spread of the COVID-19. The changes, which the agency said, were temporary and designed to stop the spread of the coronavirus, essentially block all land border crossings. However, citizens have fled the former Soviet bloc country since Alexander Lukashenko was declared the winner of a disputed presidential election last August and mass protests over election rigging were met with a severe crackdown, reported DW News. It further reported that 'fearing' the prospect of a mass exodus of medical and IT experts, the government in Minsk began making it more difficult for citizens to leave the country last December, by limiting departures to those Belarus citizens, who could present long-term residency permits from abroad. The new rules now forbid the holders of such documents from leaving as well. Those who can prove that they have permanent resident status in another country will be permitted to travel abroad. While Opposition slammed the Alexander Lukashenko-led government and termed the rules 'violation of the law.' Valery Kavaleuski, a representative for Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, took to Twitter to express his outrage, calling the move an 'outright violation of the law'. Air travel to and from the country has also come to a virtual standstill in the wake of last week's government-ordered diversion of a Ryanair flight en route from Greece to Lithuania. The commercial jet was forced to land under false pretenses so that Belarus authorities could arrest blogger and Lukashenko critic Raman Pratasevich. The move outraged the world with the EU blocking most flights to and over Belarus. Score of people across Europe has been demonstrating against the 'illegle' detention of the journalist.

Belarus imposes new rules restricting citizens from leaving country

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday (May 31) that personnel at Belarus' diplomatic mission to NATO will have their access restricted at the alliance's headquarters. This step comes just days after a passenger plane en route to Lithuania was diverted and forced to land in Belarus.

Belarus is not a member of NATO but has had ties with the military alliance since 1992 following the fall of the Soviet Union, and has maintained a diplomatic mission to NATO since 1998.

Belarusian personnel can attend seminars and meetings at NATO and in NATO countries as part of a cooperation partnership that tackles issues such as arms control and military education.

"We have decided to restrict the access of Belarusian personnel to the NATO headquarters," Stoltenberg told a news conference ahead of meetings of NATO defence and foreign ministers on Tuesday, without giving more details.

Earlier this month, Belarus had scrambled a military fighter jet to force Lithuania-bound Ryanair plane to land in Minsk. The reason given was bomb alert, but Belarusian authorities swooped in to detain dissident activist Roman Protasevich.

Protasevich has been a critic of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko.

Asked about new Russian military formations and units, intended to be deployed close to the alliance's borders, Stoltenberg said NATO would continue to seek dialogue with Moscow, while also exercising troops for defensive purposes.

"It is important to manage difficult relationship with Russia with transparency on military activities, risk reduction and also for instance related issues like arms control," Stoltenberg told reporters.

Russia's ties with the West are currently accutely strained over jailing of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, a military buildup near Ukraine and allegations of election hacking.

(With inputs from agencies)

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday (May 31) that personnel at Belarus' diplomatic mission to NATO will have their access restricted at the alliance's headquarters.

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday (May 31) that personnel at Belarus' diplomatic mission to NATO will have their access restricted at the alliance's headquarters. This step comes just days after a passenger plane en route to Lithuania was diverted and forced to land in Belarus. Belarus is not a member of NATO but has had ties with the military alliance since 1992 following the fall of the Soviet Union, and has maintained a diplomatic mission to NATO since 1998. Belarusian personnel can attend seminars and meetings at NATO and in NATO countries as part of a cooperation partnership that tackles issues such as arms control and military education. "We have decided to restrict the access of Belarusian personnel to the NATO headquarters," Stoltenberg told a news conference ahead of meetings of NATO defence and foreign ministers on Tuesday, without giving more details. Earlier this month, Belarus had scrambled a military fighter jet to force Lithuania-bound Ryanair plane to land in Minsk. The reason given was bomb alert, but Belarusian authorities swooped in to detain dissident activist Roman Protasevich. Protasevich has been a critic of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. Asked about new Russian military formations and units, intended to be deployed close to the alliance's borders, Stoltenberg said NATO would continue to seek dialogue with Moscow, while also exercising troops for defensive purposes. "It is important to manage difficult relationship with Russia with transparency on military activities, risk reduction and also for instance related issues like arms control," Stoltenberg told reporters. Russia's ties with the West are currently accutely strained over jailing of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, a military buildup near Ukraine and allegations of election hacking. (With inputs from agencies)

NATO restricts Belarusian access to headquarters

Russia will move ahead with a second $500 million loan to Belarus next month, following talks between the two countries' leaders amid uproar in the West over the grounding of a passenger jet in Minsk and the arrest of a dissident blogger.&nbsp;

President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko held a second day of talks, as well as a yacht tour, in the southern Russian city of Sochi on Saturday, as the Russian leader showed his longstanding ally support in this latest standoff with the West.&nbsp;

Russia promised Belarus a $1.5 billion loan last year as part of Moscow's efforts to stabilise its neighbour. Minsk received a first instalment of $500 million in October.&nbsp;

Belarus is to receive the second tranche before the end of June, the RIA news agency reported.&nbsp;

Several Western countries accused Belarus of piracy this week after Belarusian air traffic control informed the pilot of a Ryanair passenger jet of a hoax bomb threat.&nbsp;

Minsk scrambled a MiG-29 fighter plane to escort the jetliner down, and then arrested Roman Protasevich, a blogger and critic of Lukashenko, who was on board.&nbsp;

Arrested with Protasevich was his girlfriend, a Russian citizen.&nbsp;

Putin on Saturday raised the topic of Sofia Sapega, the TASS news agency reported, citing Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov.&nbsp;

"President Lukashenko informed his Russian colleague in detail about what happened with the Ryanair flight," TASS cited Peskov as saying.&nbsp;

"On the initiative of the Russian president the topic of the Russian citizen, who was detained, was raised .... Naturally, we are not indifferent to her fate," Peskov was cited as saying.&nbsp;

He added the Kremlin would take note of the fact that Sapega also has a Belarusian residency permit.&nbsp;

Putin and Lukashenko completed the day of talks with a yacht tour in Sochi. A video appeared to show the two leaders laughing and spotting dolphins off the Russian coast.&nbsp;

Most of Belarus's neighbours and many other European nations have banned flights by Belarusian national airline Belavia following Sunday's forced landing of the Ryanair jet, which was en route to Lithuania from Greece.&nbsp;

The issue of air travel for Belarusian citizens was raised during Saturday's meeting, Peskov was cited by Interfax as saying, adding the transport ministries of Moscow and Minsk had been tasked with helping Belarusian citizens currently in Europe to return home.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Russia will move ahead with a second $500 million loan to Belarus next month, following talks between the two countries' leaders amid uproar in the West over the grounding of a passenger jet in Minsk and the arrest of a dissident blogger.

Russia will move ahead with a second $500 million loan to Belarus next month, following talks between the two countries' leaders amid uproar in the West over the grounding of a passenger jet in Minsk and the arrest of a dissident blogger. President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko held a second day of talks, as well as a yacht tour, in the southern Russian city of Sochi on Saturday, as the Russian leader showed his longstanding ally support in this latest standoff with the West. Russia promised Belarus a $1.5 billion loan last year as part of Moscow's efforts to stabilise its neighbour. Minsk received a first instalment of $500 million in October. Belarus is to receive the second tranche before the end of June, the RIA news agency reported. Several Western countries accused Belarus of piracy this week after Belarusian air traffic control informed the pilot of a Ryanair passenger jet of a hoax bomb threat. Minsk scrambled a MiG-29 fighter plane to escort the jetliner down, and then arrested Roman Protasevich, a blogger and critic of Lukashenko, who was on board. Arrested with Protasevich was his girlfriend, a Russian citizen. Putin on Saturday raised the topic of Sofia Sapega, the TASS news agency reported, citing Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov. "President Lukashenko informed his Russian colleague in detail about what happened with the Ryanair flight," TASS cited Peskov as saying. "On the initiative of the Russian president the topic of the Russian citizen, who was detained, was raised .... Naturally, we are not indifferent to her fate," Peskov was cited as saying. He added the Kremlin would take note of the fact that Sapega also has a Belarusian residency permit. Putin and Lukashenko completed the day of talks with a yacht tour in Sochi. A video appeared to show the two leaders laughing and spotting dolphins off the Russian coast. Most of Belarus's neighbours and many other European nations have banned flights by Belarusian national airline Belavia following Sunday's forced landing of the Ryanair jet, which was en route to Lithuania from Greece. The issue of air travel for Belarusian citizens was raised during Saturday's meeting, Peskov was cited by Interfax as saying, adding the transport ministries of Moscow and Minsk had been tasked with helping Belarusian citizens currently in Europe to return home. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia confirms second loan for Belarus, raises issue of detained citizen 

Russia will move ahead with a second $500 million loan to Belarus next month, following talks between the two countries' leaders.

Russia confirms a second loan for Belarus

Hundreds of people in Lithuania gathered for protests to show support for the opposition in neighbouring Belarus.

Belarus Solidarity Protest: Tsikhanouskaya joins protesters in Lithuania Capital

Russia approved flight plans of Air France and Lufthansa to the country that avoid Belarus. After Belarus forced landing of a Ryanair passenger plane in Minsk and arrested a dissident journalist on May 23, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had advised airlines to avoid Belarusian airspace.

Air France said its new flight path to Moscow started on Saturday and had been authorised for this weekend.

"We ... are awaiting a green light from Russian authorities for our flights after this weekend," a spokesman said.

Air France, part of the Air France-KLM group, operates one or two flights a day between Paris and Moscow.

A spokeswoman for Lufthansa, Germany's biggest airline, said it had been given approval for the new routes on its flights from Frankfurt to Moscow and St Petersburg for the foreseeable future.

Lufthansa currently operates seven return flights from Frankfurt to Moscow and three return flights from Frankfurt to St Petersburg per week.

(With inputs from agenies)

Russia approved flight plans of Air France and Lufthansa to the country that avoid Belarus. After Belarus forced landing of a Ryanair passenger plane in Minsk and arrested a dissident journalist on May 23, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had advised airlines to avoid Belarusian airspace.

Russia approved flight plans of Air France and Lufthansa to the country that avoid Belarus. After Belarus forced landing of a Ryanair passenger plane in Minsk and arrested a dissident journalist on May 23, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had advised airlines to avoid Belarusian airspace. Air France said its new flight path to Moscow started on Saturday and had been authorised for this weekend. "We ... are awaiting a green light from Russian authorities for our flights after this weekend," a spokesman said. Air France, part of the Air France-KLM group, operates one or two flights a day between Paris and Moscow. A spokeswoman for Lufthansa, Germany's biggest airline, said it had been given approval for the new routes on its flights from Frankfurt to Moscow and St Petersburg for the foreseeable future. Lufthansa currently operates seven return flights from Frankfurt to Moscow and three return flights from Frankfurt to St Petersburg per week. (With inputs from agenies)

Russia approves Air France, Lufthansa routes which avoid Belarus airspace

Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Now this is the first meeting after the forced landing of the flight and one of the four meetings since the anti-government protests began in Belarus last year.

Lukashenko To Putin: We have documents on plane incident

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