Alexander Lukashenko
Belarus · 1994 — present
Est. victims: thousands jailed, tortured
Lukashenko grew up in rural Belarus, served in the Soviet border troops, and worked in agriculture and the Communist Party. In 1994 he was elected president in the first post-Soviet Belarusian election, running as an anti-corruption outsider. He soon consolidated power, repressed opposition, and built a Soviet-style state with a loyal security apparatus. He has ruled for over 30 years with no genuine political competition.
Rise of dictatorship
Belarus hosts Russian invasion of Ukraine
Belarus allowed Russian troops to use its territory for the assault on Kyiv. Lukashenko has backed Putin's war while avoiding direct Belarusian combat involvement.
2022–2025: Full alignment with Russia
Ryanair flight diverted to arrest journalist
A commercial flight was forced to land in Minsk so that Roman Protasevich, a dissident journalist, could be arrested. EU imposed sanctions.
Massive election fraud, protests crushed
Lukashenko claimed 80% in a rigged election. Hundreds of thousands protested. Security forces brutally suppressed demonstrations; thousands detained, many tortured. Opposition leaders jailed or forced into exile.
2004–2020: Election fraud, crackdowns
Constitutional referendum extends presidential powers