Belarusian leader Lukashenko replaces security chiefs

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has appointed new heads of the KGB security service, the security council and the state control committee amid protests and strikes over a disputed election, the official Belta news agency reported on Thursday.

Lukashenko said he won an Aug. 9 presidential election by a landslide, but protesters say it was marred by massive vote-rigging allegations and have taken to the streets for more than three weeks demanding he step down.

He appointed Ivan Tertel, formerly head of the state control committee, to head the KGB. Valery Vakulchik, who served as chairman of the state security committee, was appointed secretary of the country’s security council, Belta reported.

Lukashenko also appointed Vasily Gerasimov as acting head of the state control committee.