Belarusian authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka has ordered the country’s embassies to stop issuing passports to Belarusians living abroad. Until now Belarusian expats could get new passports at the country's diplomatic missions, but according to a decree published on September 4, they can only get a new passport or renew an old one in Belarus. Lukashenka’s critics say the rule leaves Belarusians living abroad vulnerable to prosecution if they return to Belarus. The Belarusian opposition called the move a "repressive mechanism." Tens of thousands of Belarusians fled the Moscow-allied country in 2020 after the crackdown on protests against Lukashenka’s rule. To read the original story by RFE/RL’s Belarusian Service, click here.
Lukashenka Orders Belarusian Embassies To Stop Issuing Passports
According to a decree published on September 4, Belarusians living abroad can only get a new passport or renew an old one in Belarus.