Nominating group of ex-presidential candidate Mikalai Statkevich works on


Despite the refusal of the CEC to register the initiative group of the ex-presidential candidate Mikalai Statkevich, it keeps on working. On behalf of the political prisoner, the organizing committee thanked more than one thousand seven hundred persons who had joined it. It also announced the intention to appeal the CEC decision in the Supreme Court.

PAVEL SEVYARYNETS, FRIEND OF THE STATKEVICH NOMINATING COMMITEE:

“It is illegal that the innocent presidential candidate has been in prison for five years since the last elections. It is illegal that his nominating, which was formed with all the legal requirements, was not registered. It is illegal that only one candidate in the election enjoys full rights – it is Lukashenka.”

The Statkevich team is not hopeful about getting fair resolution at the Supreme Court, but it believes that the complaint should be submitted…

“It is an important argument for the history, the international community, and more importantly, it will be important in order to prove that the elections are illegal.”

Moreover, the current election campaign is a continuation of previous elections and repressions that followed, notes the observer of the Radio Liberty Vital Tsyhankou.

VITAL TSYHANKOU, OBSERVER AT THE RADIO LIBERTY:

“The symbol of this is Mikalai Statkevich – presidential candidate in 2010, who is still behind bars. And this whole atmosphere, as well as the fact that Mikalai is still behind bars has a direct impact on the group and forms the agenda.”

And in some sense it may affect the registration of candidates. According to Mr Tsyhankou, the resolution of the authorities will be determined by the slogans and behavior of applicants during the collection of signatures.

VITAL TSYHANKOU, OBSERVER AT THE RADIO LIBERTY:

“There is a general agreement now that it is Anatol Lyabedzka who has the greatest chance of being turned down – the most principled and uncompromising critic Alyaksandr Lukashenka.”

However, judging from the last campaign, the refusal of registration is the least that can await potential candidates. The unprincipled and uncompromising critic of the authorities, Mikalai Statkevich, has remained behind bars for five years.

Volha Zharnasiek, belsat.eu/en/

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