How did Alexander Lukashenko’s government limit political opposition and independent media?

Alexander Lukashenko has maintained an authoritarian regime in Belarus by systematically suppressing political dissent and exerting heavy control over the media.1

Limiting Political Opposition

Lukashenko has utilized his executive powers to marginalize opponents through several methods:
* Electoral Interference: Presidential and parliamentary elections have been widely criticized by international observers as neither free nor fair, often marred by allegations of vote rigging and the exclusion of opposition candidates.123
* Detention and Intimidation: Opposition figures, campaign team members, and protesters have frequently faced arrest, imprisonment, and physical violence. Following the 2020 protests, thousands were arrested, and many opposition leaders were forced into exile.123
* State Security Actions: The government has used extreme measures to target dissenters, such as the 2021 forced diversion of a commercial airliner to arrest journalist Roman Protasevich.12

Control of Media

The state maintains a tight grip on the information landscape:
* State-Run Outlets: The government operates the primary media outlets, including major newspapers like SB–Belarus Segodnya and state-controlled television and radio stations.4
* Restrictions on Independent Media: Independent publications face severe limitations, including government control over where they may be sold. While some independent outlets exist, the overall environment is heavily managed to favor the state’s narrative.41