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BY ERIK SHUTE
 

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The man known as “Europe’s Last Dictator” Alexander Lukashenko has presided over the former Soviet republic of Belarus for the past 16 years.  On Sunday night, election exit polls showed he had done it again, gaining his fourth consecutive term in office -- and prompting 40,000 protesters to take to the streets. (Video from: Russia Today)

Amid the madness, Fox News commentators could hardly contain their disbelief at the results.

“They’re trying to challenge the election results which confirm President Alexander Lukashenko to a fourth term.  Lukashenko ran against nine others, but received close to 80 per cent of the vote, that’s ‘impressive’. Some opposition candidates are alleging fraud in the ballot counting.”

When the smoke cleared, a staggering 700 protesters were arrested on site -- some are even held without being charged.  Those detained included five presidential candidates -- some who were dragged out of hospital beds after being beaten.  ITN followed one of the candidates.

“Moments later the unconscious body of presidential candidate Vladimir Neklyaev carried away from danger by protesters.  Sources says he was beaten by government forces as he led demonstrators on a march.  He was taken to a hospital, but his wife said men in civilian clothes wrapped him up in a blanket and carried him away.  She’s not seen him since and has no idea where he’s been taken.”

Those who stormed the government say Lukashenko had crushed opposition and inflated his lead - a claim backed by election monitors from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.  BBC caught the reaction of mission leader Tony Lloyd.

“This election failed to give Belarus the new start it needed. The counting process needs transparency. Frankly, the people of Belarus deserve better. And in particular, the government should account for the candidate and human rights activists.”

Months earlier Lukashenko promised a fair election to Western diplomats and the election monitors.  In response, he held a press conference to defend an election he felt was balanced.  The New York Times reports his argument.

“We did just as you demanded. What complaints could you have?...Openness and transparency were so high that people mistook these elections for a reality show.”

What does the European Union think of all this?  Nothing.  They’ve been sitting on their hands.  The EU Observer shares the panel’s view.

“Diplomatic sources indicate that the EU will not react with any punitive measures to post-election violence in Belarus or to a judgment by the Organization for Security and Co-operation (OSCE) in Europe that the vote was rigged.”

Luskashenko later patronized the battered protesters saying, "What kind of a president can you be if you shout to the whole world after being struck in the face? You must endure."
 

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