Lukasheko heads Belarus another five-year term
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko appeared to head another five-year term in a controversial election Sunday that was quickly followed by violent late-night street clashes and accusations of vote fraud from human rights groups.
Final results announced by the state's central election commission indicated that the autocratic 56-year-old leader, who adheres to a bygone Soviet economic model, received 79.7% of the vote, after 100% was counted.
Opposition leaders called on their supporters to launch a protest in downtown Minsk's Oktyabrskaya Square before firm results were announced. Candidate Vladimir Neklyayev said he and supporters were ambushed on the way to the square and beaten by masked riot police.