Lukashenko's most dangerous rival died of a stroke at age 45, just months before the elections.
Karpenko was one of the few Belarusian politicians capable of posing a real challenge to Lukashenko: experienced, popular, and with significant support. In 1999, as the opposition began preparing for the presidential campaign, he suddenly collapsed at work and died without regaining consciousness. The official explanation was a stroke, but his associates never believed it. We examine the timeline of events and the questions the investigation has left unanswered.
In this video, we explore the political context, official charges, and alternative assessments of the events. This material is intended for discussion and is aimed at a deeper understanding of the events.