Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko pledged on Monday to impose harsher punishments on media facilities caught publishing inaccurate information.
"If you commit an offence, you must answer for it. You will answer for each and every word," Lukashenko said at a press conference following the announcement of the results of the country's presidential elections, in which he won his fourth consecutive term as president.
Lukashenko also pledged to crack down on foreign publications found to be producing false information about Belarus, by complaining to the countries' authorities.
The authoritarian leader also hinted that the Belarusian opposition was guilty of the death of opposition journalist and human rights activist Oleg Bebenin, whose body was found near Minsk in September.
Although police have said the activist hung himself, his family and colleagues have suggested foul play.
MINSK, December 20 (RIA Novosti)
