Belarus opposition leader to address unrest and attacks on media on July 20

Belarus opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya will headline a National Press Club Newsmaker news conference at the Club at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 20. The event will take place in person at the Club and also will be live streamed on the Club's website and on its YouTube channel.

Her visit to Washington comes amid continuing unrest in Belarus and attacks on the media following last year’s presidential election that Tikhanovskaya claims to have won by an overwhelming majority of the popular vote against incumbent Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled since 1994. She has appealed to Western nations to recognize her as the winner of the election.

The one-hour Newsmaker, which will be held in the Holeman Lounge, is open to credentialed media and Club members, but registration is required. Click here to register. Submit your questions in advance or during the live program via email to [email protected] with Belarus in the subject line.

Belarus has been in the news spotlight since the election last August. Two months ago, Lukashenko ordered the interception of an international airliner in Belarusian airspace. The plane was forced to land in Minsk, the capital, where Belarusian authorities arrested a dissident journalist, Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend, Sofia Sapega, who were on board,

The Committee to Protect Journalists called on Belarusian authorities to cease raids on independent news outlets and press freedom groups and refrain from charging or imprisoning journalists over their work.

Visitors are required to show their vaccination card or recent negative COVID test before the enter the Club.