Belarusian president gives Gerard Depardieu a lesson in hand-scythe

The president of Belarus, who has been described as Europe's last dictator, has given French actor Gerard Depardieu a lesson in hand-scything.

Depardieu took Russian citizenship in 2013 in a bid to escape sky-high taxes in France. He has recently attracted the wrath of the Ukrainian government by condoning Russia's annexation of Crimea.

President Alexander Lukashenko, who is running for re-election in October, hosted Depardieu in his residence north of the capital Minsk on Wednesday and gave him a lesson in scything the grass on the estate. After the scything, performed in front of television cameras, Depardieu was treated to traditional Belarusian food and home-distilled vodka.

Lukashenko has ruled Belarus since 1994 and is expected to be re-elected for the next term.