Lukashenka's Phone Prankster Says Conversation Was Leaked By Someone Else

The prankster who allegedly duped Belarus President Alyaksandr Lukashenka into believing he was speaking with the son of Ukraine's ousted President Viktor Yanukovych in a telephone conversation on June 14 says he has nothing to do with placing an audiotape of the phone call on the Internet.

The Moscow-based prankster known as Vovan222 told RFE/RL on June 17 that Lukashenka should take a closer look at his security apparatus if he wants to prevent future eavesdropping.

In the audiotape that circulated on the Internet on June 16, Lukashenka promises the man posing as Yanukovych's son that the former Ukrainian president can seek refuge in Belarus provided he gives 24-hour notice of such an intention.

Belarusian officials have not commented on the alleged prankster.

Vovan222, who prefers not reveal his true name, is a 27-year-old lawyer and journalist. His pranks with Russian and Ukrainian celebrities have become viral on the Internet in the past.