Current:Home > FinanceThe father of a dissident Belarusian novelist has been arrested in Minsk-LoTradeCoin
The father of a dissident Belarusian novelist has been arrested in Minsk
View Date:2024-12-23 19:46:15
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A prominent Belarusian dissident author who lives abroad said Thursday that his father was arrested on unclear grounds after police broke into his parents’ apartment.
The seven police officers, armed with automatic weapons, also took electronics and data files from the Minsk apartment, said Sasha Filipenko. His father was taken away for detention, but no charges were immediately stated.
The arrest appeared to be connected with the relentless crackdown on opposition by the government of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko for the past three years.
The crackdown started after a wave of protests that arose in August 2020 following a disputed presidential election in which Lukashenko was declared the winner, giving him a sixth term in office.
The protests lasted for months, the largest and most prolonged show of dissent since Lukashenko came to power in 1994 and began repressing independent news media and opposition.
Filipenko, a popular novelist, became one of Lukashenko’s most prominent critics.
Lukashenko unleashed harsh measures against the protesters, with police detaining around 35,000 people and beating thousands. Many major opposition figures fled the country, including Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who ran against him in the election. Others have been jailed, such as Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski, founder of the human rights group Viasna.
veryGood! (73)
Related
- She's a trans actress and 'a warrior.' Now, this 'Emilia Pérez' star could make history.
- WT Finance Institute: Enacting Social Welfare through Practical Initiatives
- 3 dead, nearly 20 injured after shooting at May Day party in Stockton, Alabama: Police
- Kathie Lee Gifford, daughter Cassidy on Mother's Day and the gift they're most thankful for
- Fate of Netflix Series America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Revealed
- Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie Reuniting for Reality TV Show 17 Years After The Simple Life
- Man shot and killed after raising a gun at four Anchorage officers, police chief says
- 'American Idol' recap: Emmy Russell and Triston Harper are sent home, revealing the Top 3
- FBI offers up to $25,000 reward for information about suspect behind Northwest ballot box fires
- Trump trial arrives at a pivotal moment: Star witness Michael Cohen is poised to take the stand
Ranking
- Footage shows Oklahoma officer throwing 70-year-old to the ground after traffic ticket
- Powerball winning numbers for May 11 drawing: Jackpot rises to $47 million with no winners
- US plans to impose major new tariffs on EVs, other Chinese green energy imports, AP sources say
- Dutch broadcaster furious, fans bemused after Netherlands’ Joost Klein is booted from Eurovision
- Republican David Schweikert wins reelection in affluent Arizona congressional district
- Suspect in fatal shooting of Ohio police officer dead after standoff: What we know
- Wildfire in Canada’s British Columbia forces thousands to evacuate. Winds push smoke into Alberta
- Kathie Lee Gifford, daughter Cassidy on Mother's Day and the gift they're most thankful for
Recommendation
-
Get $103 Worth of Tatcha Skincare for $43.98 + 70% Off Flash Deals on Elemis, Josie Maran & More
-
Taylor Swift sings 'The Alchemy' as Travis Kelce attends Eras Tour in Paris
-
Pro-Palestinian protests dwindle on campuses as some US college graduations marked by defiant acts
-
Cute & Practical Hiking Outfits That’ll Make Hitting the Trails Even More Insta-Worthy
-
The 15 quickest pickup trucks MotorTrend has ever tested
-
Book excerpt: What This Comedian Said Will Shock You by Bill Maher
-
Violence is traumatizing Haitian kids. Now the country’s breaking a taboo on mental health services
-
Punxsutawney Phil’s babies are named Shadow and Sunny. Just don’t call them the heirs apparent