Minsk: The Belarusian ambassador to Slovakia, who supported protesters rallying against his country’s authoritarian president, said on Tuesday that he has handed in his resignation, a move indicating growing dissent at a high level of government.
Igor Leshchenya said in an interview that it was a logical move” after he recorded a video statement supporting unprecedented protests that have roiled Belarus for nine days in a row since the August 9 presidential election that gave a sixth term to longtime leader Alexander Lukashenko.
In the statement released on Saturday, Leshchenya expressed solidarity with those who came out on the streets of Belarusian cities with peaceful marches so that their voice could be heard,” said he was shocked by the reports of mass beatings and torture of protesters and accused Belarusian law enforcement of restoring the traditions of the Soviet secret police.
As an ambassador, I’m appointed by the president, and it is expected that I follow the policies determined by him. The Foreign Ministry (of Belarus) believes my civic stance has gone beyond that, Leshchenya told independent Belarusian news outlet Tut.by on Tuesday.
The president is yet to sign Leshchenya’s resignation. (AP)