Belarus opposition leaders say journalist’s TV confessions were coerced

Raman Pratasevich cries during his interview (ONT channel via AP)

Belarusian opposition leaders have said a dissident journalist was coerced to appear in a video on state TV in which he wept and praised the country’s authoritarian ruler.

In the 90-minute video, Raman Pratasevich repented for his opposition activities and said he respects Belarus’ President Alexander Lukashenko as “a man with balls of steel”.