On 19 June, Lukashenko announced that "he has foiled a coup attempt", resulting in the arrest of main opposition rival Viktar Babaryka.[11] Babarynka has stated that the charges of bribery and corruption were falsified and that the arrest was politically motivated to stop him from winning the elections.[12] Opposition activists, journalists and bloggers have also been arrested as part of the crackdown.[13] Lukashenko has claimed that the opposition protests are part of a foreign plot.[14] The wife of Siarhei Tsikhanouski, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, registered as a candidate in the upcoming election. after the arrest of opposition candidate, Viktar Babaryka.[5]