UK asylum for Belarus critic

Published on 27/10/2012 00:24

BRITAIN has given political asylum to Belarussian opposition leader Andrei Sannikov, his wife said yesterday.

Mr Sannikov was released from jail this year but was warned by president Alexander Lukashenko not to “blabber” if he wanted to remain free.

Mr Sannikov, 58, ran against Mr Lukashenko in the 2010 election, which western observers said was rigged. The vote handed Mr Lukashenko, a former Soviet collective farm manager, a fourth term in office.

Mr Sannikov was jailed for five years last year for protesting against the vote. His wife, Irina, is barred from leaving Belarus.