American Expelled for Alleged Election Plotting

Belarus expelled a U.S. citizen for allegedly conspiring with the opposition to oust President Alexander G. Lukashenko in voting next month.

Robert Fielding was accused by Belarus’ security service of interfering in the country’s internal affairs by campaigning for candidate Vladimir Goncharik, a trade union leader.

Fielding, an AFL-CIO official, is also accused of supporting a plot by the opposition to overthrow Lukashenko through mass protests if he wins the Sept. 9 election.

Belarussian authorities have accused foreigners of plotting to overthrow Lukashenko, who Western leaders say has consolidated power and suppressed dissent.