Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was sworn in’ for a new term on Wednesday, the state-run Belta news agency reported.
The ceremony, which will usually be
preceded’ by an important state event, follows the disputed August 9 election,
in which Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994, claimed a landslide
victory. The opposition accused him of widespread vote-rigging.
Belta said Lukashenko placed his right
hand on a copy of the constitution and took the oath of office at a ceremony
attended by several hundred people.
Belarus faces US and EU sanctions over
disputed elections, following crackdowns on opposition protesters demanding the
resignation of Lukashenko's security forces.
UN human rights investigator Anais Marin said
last week that more than 10,000 people had been "arrested for abuse"
since the election, with more than 500 reports of violence and thousands more.
"Beaten mercilessly."
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