Belarus PM replaces Lukashenko at ceremony, sparks speculation

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has not been seen in public since Tuesday, did not appear on Sunday at a ceremony in the capital, Minsk,
triggering speculation that the veteran leader is seriously ill.
The BelTA state news agency reported that Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko read a message from Lukashenko during an annual ceremony at which young people swear allegiance to the ex-Soviet state’s flag.
The agency gave no reason for Lukashenko’s absence five days after he appeared unwell and skipped parts of commemorations in Moscow marking the Soviet Union’s World War Two victory over Germany.
Lukashenko also did not speak at an event in Minsk marking the anniversary for the first time in his long presidency. That event was the last time he was seen in public.
Lukashenko’s office has declined to comment.
According to the opposition news outlet Euroradio, Lukashenko was taken to an elite Minsk clinic on Saturday.