Belarus accuses 'Russian mercenaries' of plot

Authorities in Belarus say they have arrested 33 suspected Russian mercenaries believed to be plotting "terrorism" ahead of the country's 9 August presidential election.

Russia is seeking clarification on the arrests, a Kremlin spokesman said.

Dmitry Peskov said he knew nothing of a plot or the Wagner paramilitary group, which Belarus suspects of involvement.

President Alexander Lukashenko has been in power since 1994 and is seeking a sixth term in office.

He has exerted authoritarian control over Belarus in a style reminiscent of the Soviet era and has faced a wave of opposition protests over his re-election bid.

Since the collapse of the USSR in 1991 Russia has maintained close ties with Belarus and they have held joint military exercises.

The secretary of the Belarus Security Council, Andrey Rawkow, said investigators suspected as many as 200 Russian mercenaries had entered the country to "destabilise the situation during the election campaign".