Belarusian authorities on Thursday detained the former head of a Russia-owned commercial bank who has emerged as the top challenger to Belarus’ authoritarian leader in the August election.President Alexander Lukashenko, who is seeking a sixth term in the Aug.
9 vote, has accused Belgazprombank former chief executive Viktor Babariko of corruption and called him a “scoundrel.”On Thursday, investigators detained Babariko after questioning him on allegations of tax evasion and money laundering.
Babariko's detention follows Sunday's searches at the bank and the arrest of its 15 executives.Babariko, who has yet to formally register for the presidential race, has denounced the authorities’ actions as part of an intimidation campaign.