Transcript: CNN interview with Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko

CNN's Matthew Chance had an exclusive interview with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko. Here is a translated transcript.

CNN: Mr President, thank you so much for joining us here on CNN. You've been accused of overseeing a brutal crackdown on your political opponents since the election last year. Thousands of people delayed. Some of them according to human rights groups suffering human rights abuse inside prison facilities, people have been killed. Would you take this opportunity now to apologize to the people of Belarus for the human rights abuses that they suffered at your hands?

Alexander Lukashenko: No, I would not like to take this opportunity. If I ever would, I would do that through the Belarusian media. They are quite good here. What would be the point of doing it on CNN? I don't think this is even a relevant question, and in principle I have nothing to apologize for, and the latest events in Belarus happen to confirm my point.