Belarus, a nation of 10 million in central Europe, is heavily dependent on Russia’s cheap energy supplies but is trying to distance itself from Moscow after Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula last year and backed separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine.
Observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said Belarus did not fulfill its democratic commitments in holding its vote but stopped short of the sweeping criticisms that previous elections in Belarus have received.
About 100 opposition supporters held a peaceful protest march after polls closed Sunday to show their discontent with the ballot.
Opposition activists also cast doubt on the …read more
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
