Photos of Belarus’ Lukashenko emerge after absence sparks health speculation
- The leader had not been seen in public for a week since taking part in the Victory Day celebrations in Minsk and Moscow, where he looked pale and bloated
- A photo of Lukashenko was posted to the presidential website on Monday, in what appeared to be a bid to dispel rumours that he is seriously ill
For nearly a week, the whereabouts of Belarus’ authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko have been a mystery.
The 68-year-old was last seen in public at a May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow’s Red Square, looking pale and bloated, and he skipped a celebratory breakfast in the Kremlin to fly home.
Later that day, he appeared at similar event in his capital of Minsk to celebrate the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, but then skipped other scheduled appearances for days, feeding speculation on social media about his health.
On Monday, the state news agency Belta reported Lukashenko inspected an air force installation and a photo was posted to the presidential website showing him standing stiffly in a military jacket, taking a salute from an officer.
The intent of the photo was clear – to dispel rumours and reports that Lukashenko was seriously ill – although a bandage was wrapped on his left hand. On May 9 in Red Square, his right hand was bandaged.