Exiled opponent calls for sanctions

The main opposition challenger in Belarus’s disputed presidential election has urged the international community to impose sanctions on ‘‘the individuals that committed electoral violations and crimes against humanity’’, and to take other measures to stop the violence against protesters.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, pictured, told the United Nations Security Council yesterday that Alexander Lukashenko, who claimed victory in the

August 9 election, engaged in a ‘‘ cynical and blatant attempt . . . to steal the votes of the people’’ and ‘‘does not represent Belarus any more’’.

‘‘A nation should not be a hostage to one man’s thirst for power, and it won’t,’’ she said. ‘‘Belarusians have woken up. The point of no return has passed.’’

Tsikhanouskaya, who fled to Lithuania under pressure from Belarusian authorities after the election, called Lukashenko ‘‘the one obstacle’’ to meeting the demands of the people – ‘‘immediate termination of violence and threats by the regime, immediate release of all political prisoners, and free and fair elections’’.

Lukashenko, who has run the nation of 9.5 million people with an iron fist for 26 years, has dismissed the demonstrators as Western puppets. They have turned out en masse for nearly four weeks to protest the official election results, which gave him a sixth term with 80 per cent of the vote.

Tsikhanouskaya urged the UN to immediately send an ‘‘ international monitoring mission’’ to the country.

Lukashenko has dismissed demands to engage in a dialogue with the opposition, and has sought support from Russia, which has a union agreement with Belarus envisaging close political, economic and military ties. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he is ready to send police to Belarus at Lukashenko’s request if the demonstrations turn violent.