BBC journalist challenges Lukashenko on rigged elections

Alexander Lukashenko claimed 87.6 percent of the votes in the so-called "presidential elections." Sunday's elections are not recognized as democratic by the Belarusian opposition and Western nations. The previous elections were also heavily criticized on the international stage.

The "elections" took place without alternative independent candidates to Lukashenko, independent media, and were marked by repressions from the authorities, including against the families of opposition members.

After casting his vote independently, Lukashenko organized a four-hour press conference during which questions were asked by media representatives favourable to his regime, as well as by foreign media.

BBC correspondent in Moscow, Steve Rosenberg, is well known to Lukashenko. His questions have often enraged the Belarusian dictator in the past. On Sunday, when the BBC journalist had the opportunity to speak, Lukashenko asked him, "What wretched question have you prepared for me?" "Good morning," replied the journalist, prompting laughter from the press representatives and even the president, who then said, "Good morning, Steve."

- How can you call this a democratic election, when your main rivals are either in prison or in exile? - Rosenberg asked. - Some are in prison, and some are in exile. But you are here! " Lukashenko replied threateningly. - Everyone has the right to choose. That is democracy. Some chose prison, others chose exile. We never forced anyone out of the country," he added.

Lukashenko insisted that a significant number had already been released, claiming that the original figure stood at 1,200. When Rosenberg pointed out that the number remained unchanged, Lukashenko reiterated that it had decreased. He mockingly questioned the journalist’s basic arithmetic skills, suggesting that subtracting more than 200 would produce a precise result.

In response, Rosenberg emphasized the importance of free speech and suggested that perhaps it was time to unlock the prison cells and release political detainees. He directly referenced peaceful protesters, including Maria Kalesnikava, who received an 11-year sentence for allegedly attempting to overthrow the government, and Sergei Tikhanovsky, a YouTuber sentenced to 18 years for organizing mass demonstrations.

Increasingly enraged, Lukashenko signed, "You keep going on about Maria to me. My God," but promised to answer the question. "Prison is for people who have opened their mouths too wide and who have broken the law. Don't you have prisons in Britain and America?"

- In any country, if you break the law, you must bear the consequences. The law is strict but it is the law. I didn't invent it. You need to abide by it, - added the agitated dictator.