Lukashenka Accuses Russian Business Of Financing Belarus Opposition

Belarus President Alyaksandr Lukashenka (left) with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev at a meeting in June

Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has accused Russian companies of financing opposition politicians in Belarus.

The president, while meeting with Russian press in Minsk, also said Russia should not give television airtime to Belarusian opposition, and slammed Russia's authorities for meddling in internal politics.

Lukashenka, who is seeking a fourth term in office in the December 19 presidential election, has been in power since 1994, keeping a lid on dissenting voices.

compiled from agency reports