MOSCOW — The authoritarian leader ofBelarussays the ousted president ofKyrgyzstanwould be welcome in his country.
Kurmanbek Bakiyev fled toKazakhstanon Thursday, eight days after he was driven out of the Kyrgyz capital in the wake of a bloody uprising. It is unclear how long he intended to remain inKazakhstanor how long that country would allow him to stay.
Belarus’ state news agency Belta quoted President Alexander Lukashenko as saying he would welcome Bakiyev "as the dearest guest, as my colleague."
Lukashenko, who is often characterized as Europe’s last dictator, frequently scoffs at Western concepts of democracy and human rights.
