Belarusian President Threatens To Bring IOC To Court

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has threatened to take the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to court for prohibiting him from attending the Olympics.

IOC officials on Monday, December 7 imposed sanctions on the Belarusian National Olympic Committee (NOC), led by Lukashenko, for discriminating athletes for their political views.

Belarus, a breakaway country from the Soviet Union, is in the throes of the most serious political crisis in modern history since Lukashenko won another election in August. Many of the protesters who took to the streets carried out a series of protests until the authorities cracked down on the opposition.

Some of Belarus' top athletes have also criticized Lukashenko, who has been in charge since 1994, and demanded that the crackdown end.

Responding to sanctions from the IOC, Lukashenko also threatened to bring IOC president Thomas Bach and other high-ranking officials to court.

"We need to take this matter to court. Bach and his colleagues need to explain what my mistake was, "Lukashenko said as quoted by Antara from AFP on Tuesday.

“I have not taken part in this incident for 25 years onwards. But have you brought together all the countries to make this decision? " he added.

Meanwhile, the Belarusian NOC argues that the ban is an action that tends to lead to certain interests. According to them, sports activities should not be linked to politics.

"We see this decision as politically charged, aimed at suppressing the leadership of the Belarusian NOC," said the NOC statement.

In October, the IOC investigated claims of Belarusian athletes who said they were discriminated against by state authorities because of their political views.