Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Wednesday, Jan 15, 2025

Photo of Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko published after he missed key events

Photo of Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko published after he missed key events

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had not been seen in public for almost a week - fuelling speculation he was ill. But a photo of the leader has now been published by a state news channel to push back against the rumours.
A photo of Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, has been published by a national state news channel after speculation that he was seriously ill.

The Belarusian outlet, Pul Pervogo, posted the photo of the 68-year-old on its Telegram channel - which is known for reporting on the president - after his whereabouts were unknown for almost a week.

The channel said the president was working at a central air force command base.

In the post, he is standing stern-faced as he receives a salute with a bandage tied to his left hand.

Mr Lukashenko had not been seen in public since last Tuesday (9 May) at Victory Day events in Moscow, and later in the Belarusian capital, Minsk.

The last public photo of him at the Russian ceremony showed him appearing unwell with his right hand bandaged up.

Konstantin Zatulin, first deputy of the Committee of CIS countries in Russia's state Duma, confirmed to Sky News that Mr Lukashenko was ill.

"The fact that he was sick was obvious even during the parade in Moscow," he said.

"I know that he is ill but I am not authorised to distribute his diagnosis."

He added it was not COVID.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin would not be drawn into matters of his health - saying there had been no official news from Belarus.

Mr Lukashenko also failed to show up at a ceremony in Minsk - the annual Day of State Emblems celebration - on Sunday.

Instead, the prime minister, Roman Golovchenko, read a message on the president's behalf.

Mr Lukashenko seemed to be ill while attending the stripped-down parade in Moscow last week, skipping parts of the commemoration that marks Russia's victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War.

He left Red Square in a buggy for the wreath-laying ceremony as other CIS country leaders accompanied Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, on foot to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

On his return to Minsk, Mr Lukashenko attended another wreath-laying ceremony there, but for the first time in his long presidency did not give a Victory Day address.

Mr Lukashenko's office has declined to comment.

Commenting on the rumours about Mr Lukashenko's health, the leader of the Belarusian opposition in exile, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, tweeted that Belarusians "should be well prepared for any scenario... To turn Belarus on the path to democracy and to prevent Russia from interfering".

Ms Tsikhanouskaya added: "We need the international community to be proactive and fast."
Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Spain Proposes 100% Tax on Properties Purchased by Non-EU Residents
Rising Casualties and Intense Diplomacy: The Conflict in Gaza Continues
Joseph Aoun Elected as Lebanon's New President: Ending a Prolonged Power Vacuum
Joseph Aoun Elected Lebanon’s 14th President Amid Political Stalemate
Trump Signals Shake-Up at the Pentagon Amid Transition Concerns
U.S. Supreme Court Denies Trump's Last-Minute Bid to Block Sentencing in New York
Escalating Conflict in Gaza: Casualties Surge as Diplomatic Efforts Continue
Escalation in West Bank: Israeli Boy Killed in Palestinian Gun Attack
U.S. Supreme Court Denies Trump's Appeal to Delay Sentencing in New York Hush Money Case
Lancet Study Reveals Underestimation of Gaza War Death Toll by 40 Percent
Global Acclaim Follows Election of Lebanon's New President Joseph Aoun
Saudi Leaders Extend Congratulations to Joseph Aoun, New President of Lebanon
UN Accuses Israel of Restricting Humanitarian Aid in Northern Gaza
US Pledges $500 Million Military Aid Package to Ukraine
Ethiopia Endures a Series of Earthquakes in Brief Timespan
Joseph Aoun: Lebanon's Fourteenth President Amid a Legacy of Challenges
President Biden Reports Meaningful Progress on Gaza Agreement
Lancet Study Reveals Higher Gaza Death Toll than Official Reports
Global and Arab Welcome for Joseph Aoun's Election as Lebanon's President
Biden Cites 'Real Progress' in Gaza Deal Talks Amid Intense Negotiation Efforts
Escalation in Gaza: Casualties Rise Amidst Ongoing Negotiations
Escalating Conflict in Gaza: Casualties Surge as Negotiations Continue
Quaker Group Cancels NYT Ad Over Dispute on Gaza Terminology
IDF Imposes Media Restraints Amid Legal Concerns For Soldiers
Trump's Counter-terrorism Nominee Urges UK to Repatriate British IS Members from Syria
Uncovering Iraq's Mass Graves: A Haunting Search for the Missing
Kurdish Commander Appeals to Trump for Continued U.S. Military Presence in Syria
Global Powers Call for Stabilization Efforts in Syria Amid Transition
Syria at a Crossroads: The Unceremonious Collapse of the Assad Regime
Trump's Syria Conundrum: Staying Out May Be Easier Said Than Done
Syrian Rebel Leader Pledges to Dismantle Assad's Notorious Prisons
Escalation in Gaza: Increased Casualties Amid Ongoing Conflict
Dissecting Luxury: A Study of American Society in the Digital Age
Escalating Violence in Gaza as Ceasefire Negotiations Intensify
US Eases Missile Technology Export Regulations for Key Allies
Escalation in Gaza Conflict: Fatal Strikes and Escalation in the West Bank
Gaza Cola: A Palestinian Initiative Aimed at Rebuilding Amidst Conflict
Poland Shuts Consulate in Saint Petersburg Amid Rising Diplomatic Tensions
Miracle at Sea: Baby Born on Migrant Vessel Rescued by Spanish Coast Guard
Saudi Crown Prince Engages in Diplomatic Dialogue with Ukraine’s Zelensky
Israeli Military Recovers Body of Hostage in Gaza, Evidence Suggests Son Also Killed
Explosion at Ammunition Depot Rocks Syria's Idlib Region
Saudi Arabia Battling Unprecedented Floods Amid Torrential Rains
Cease-fire Negotiations in Qatar: No Timeline for Resolution
UN Seeks Additional $371.4 Million for Lebanon Amidst Ongoing Crisis
Saudi Arabia Continues Aid Bridge to Syria Amid Ongoing Crisis
Israel Declares West Bank a 'Primary Arena' of Threats Amid Escalating Conflict
U.S. Sanctions Shake Sudan's Political Landscape Amid Ongoing Conflict
Israeli Military Recovers Body of Hostage from Gaza
Violence Escalates as Al-Qaeda Militants Clash with Malian Army
×