大象传媒

Belarus caught the eye of football fans at the beginning of lockdown when the country鈥檚 top division continued playing. As the rest of Europe鈥檚 top leagues ground to a halt, the Belarusian Premier League continued to go ahead with scheduled matches.

The country鈥檚 leader, Alexander Lukashenko, dismissed the threat of the virus and called fears of a coronavirus epidemic 鈥榩sychosis鈥�. The president also suggested vodka and regular trips to the sauna could be used to combat the virus.

Lukashenko has ruled his country for more than a quarter of a century but opposition to the authoritarian leader is growing, with many taking to the streets.

The President has responded brutally, rounding up and jailing hundreds of activists and journalists. The Nine's Jean Mackenzie was given rare access to the country often described as Europe鈥檚 鈥渓ast dictatorship鈥�.