Alexander Lukashenko, the autocratic leader of Belarus who claimed victory in another election derided as a sham, played a "dirty game" in releasing an American hostage to coincide with the ballot, the country's opposition has told Newsweek.

As Belarus votes amid repression, what drives Alexander Lukashenko, the president likely to secure a seventh term.

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko declared himself the winner in the country's so-called presidential elections, in which zero members of the country's opposition were allowed to take part. According to the country's authorities,

The E.U. has called Sunday’s election a sham. Lukashenko, running virtually unopposed, said he was “too busy” to even campaign.

By Mark Trevelyan (Reuters) -Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko was on track to extend his 31-year rule with a massive win in a presidential election on Sunday that Western governments rejected as a sham.

Many Western leaders are decrying Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's re-election victory Sunday, calling it a sham along with the country's opposition.

Belarus on Sunday held an orchestrated election virtually guaranteed to give its 70-year-old autocrat, Alexander Lukashenko, yet another presidential term on top of his three decades in power.

Exit polls have Alexander Lukashenko on track to extend his 31 year rule with nearly 88% of the vote. Western governments have slammed the vote as a sham, with Lukashenko's rivals broadly seen as government stooges.

Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko has been in power for more than 30 years and just won another election widely regarded as rigged. Whare the streets of Minsk quiet? Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya,

PATRIARCH KIRILL of Moscow has praised Alexander Lukashenko on his declared re-election as President of Belarus, despite fears of new restrictions on religious freedom and church activity.

BBC journalist Steve Rosenberg enraged Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko with his question. The correspondent asked how the recent elections in Belarus could be considered democratic when his rivals are in prison.