Alexander Lukashenko, often dubbed ‘Europe’s Last Dictator’, has reportedly fallen ill at a conference with key ally Vladimir Putin – reports suggest.
The despot, who has been President of Belarus since the title was created in 1994, is said to have ‘lost consciousness’ at a summit that also included the Russian leader and China’s Xi Jinping.
The 69-year-old tyrant ‘didn’t look completely healthy’ when he arrived Astana, Kazakhstan for a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
TV Rain, an independent Russian media outlet, reports that: “According to our sources….his condition visibly worsened in front of summit participants. The next day he spoke at the summit and met with heads of state…
“However, it’s clear that he looked worse than two days earlier when he attended a parade in Minsk in military uniform…. His face was pale and shiny, and his speech wasn’t confident….”
Lukashenko, who holds rigged elections and forces dissidents into exile, is reported to be ‘seriously ill’ and may be undergoing regular medical treatment.
However details of the dictator’s medical condition are a closely guarded secret in Belarus, a key supporter of Russia in its ongoing invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.
Belarusian political analyst Valery Karbalevich said: “It’s clear that he is not in good health. Lukashenko’s health is a state secret, guarded closely.
“Clearly, his appearance is not good. He looks worse than before.
“This is evident. He has gained weight. It is quite obvious he has problems with his legs. He walks with difficulty.
“During public appearances, facial and head tremors can be noticed.”
In May last year, Lukashenko was diagnosed with Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation after falling ill on a visit to Moscow.
The condition sees blood clots form in small blood vessels and can be the sign of a more serious underlying condition.