Eurovision bans Belarus over political entry

BELARUS has been banned from this year’s Eurovision Song Contest after twice failing to submit an entry that complies with the non-political nature of the competition.

The entry from the eastern European country, which has been gripped by a political crisis since August last year, was rejected by organisers earlier this month as it mocked protests against President Alexander Lukashenko.

The song, Ya Nauchu Tebya, which translates as I’ll Teach You by the band Galasy ZMesta sparked a backlash from opposition figures in Belarus, who have faced a violent crackdown.

After the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) rejected the song, Belarus submitted another option by the same band. But late on Friday the EBU also turned that down.

It said in a statement that it had “carefully scrutinised the new entry to assess its eligibility to compete” but found it to be “in breach of rules of the competition that ensure the contest is not instrumentalised or brought into disrepute”.

“This means Belarus will not be participating in the Eurovision Song Contest at all,” the EBU added.

Semi-finals of the contest are due to start in Rotterdam on May 18 – leading up to the grand finale on May 22.

Mr Lukashenko has come under pressure after demonstrators claimed the August presidential election was rigged to extend his 27-year rule.

Human rights groups say more than 34,000 people have been detained.

Mr Lukashenko has denied electoral fraud and has accused the West of sponsoring the protests.