Published: Less than 1 hour ago
Belarus’ authoritarian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko has not been seen since he attended the Russian victory parade in Moscow on May 9.
In recent days, there has been speculation about 68-year-old Lukashenko’s health, but if Russian MP Konstantin Zatuli is to be believed, Lukashenko has only contracted a common illness.
– It’s nothing out of the ordinary, no covid. He simply just got sick, says Zatuli, reports Der Spiegel with reference to Russian media.
– He probably just needs to rest, that’s all, he says.
Speculation about the leader’s health intensified after Lukashenko canceled several commitments in the past week, including Sunday’s televised ceremony in Minsk where the country saluted three state symbols, including its flag, but also a lunch with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Aleksandr Lukashenko is usually called Europe’s last dictator and is one of Putin’s closest allies.