17:41 Syarhei Parsyukevich: “If EU joined the US sanctions, regime of Lukashenka would collapse in half year”

Former political prisoner Syarhei Parsyukevich thinks he and other prisoners had been released due to economic sanctions against the Belarusian regime imposed by the US.

17:16 Lukashenka: “Security Council and militia involved in “election process” directly”

Alyaksandr Lukashenka made some loud statements on the so called parliamentary election appointing of personnel in law enforcement bodies.

16:48 Head of Ministry of Internal Affaires Navumau deceived by subordinates

Minister of internal affaires of Belarus Uladzimir Navumau says militia doesn’t record violations and doesn’t bring people to administrative responsibility during the “election campaign”.

16:34 We mustn’t go on a leash of regime. Democratic candidates from Homel region withdraw from “election”

Representatives of the United Civil Party, the Belarusian Popular Front, unregistered Party of Freedom and Progress and the Belarusian Christian Democracy said today in Homel they would boycott the so called parliamentary election holding in Belarus in autumn.

16:18 Number of contenders: 2.5 persons per for a deputy seat

276 persons have been registered as candidates for deputies of the “house of representatives” of the “national assembly” (out of 365 nominated). There will be 2.5 persons per one deputy seat.

15:11 The activist of “European Belarus” persecuted for Boycott graffiti on monument to Lenin

The activist of the civil campaign “European Belarus” Yauhen Skrabets was detained on 28 August on suspicion of drawing Boycott! Graffiti on a monument to Lenin situated at the same-name square.

15:07 Young leaders call upon parties to withdraw their candidates from “elections”

Leaders of youth organisations have addressed leaders of oppositional parties with a call not to take part in the electoral farce.

14:34 More than half of candidates from European List weren’t registered

28 opposition activists from the European List run in the ”parliamentary election” weren’t registered as MP candidates. 51 people from the European List applied for registration.

14:11 Lukashenka may recognise South Ossetia and Abkhazia 5 September

An issue on recognising South Ossetia and Abkhazia by Russia will be discussed at the oncoming session of the Collective Security Board of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) in Moscow on 5 September, Russian MFA Spokesman Andrei Nesterenko said.

12:19 Uladzimer Labkovch: “It is not improbable that Belarusian Popular Front party will adopt decision to withdraw its candidates”

At the moment it is known that precinct election commissions have not registered at least 20 candidates from the list of the democratic forces. And these figures are not final.

11:50 What a long time we are asking!

A short time ago we could hear from lips of the most political parties’ leaders: if the regime won’t change the electoral legislation and won’t amend the Electoral code, parties won’t take part in the elections. They have been denied that. Then the following conditions have been laid down: to widen observers’ powers, to make transparent ballot boxes, admission to vote counting procedure. There was a denial again.

8:52 Belarusian Ambassador to Russia blurted out

At request of Belarusian Ambassador to Russia Vasil Dauhalyou, RIA Novosti changed a title and a lede of article about Lukashenka’s position on South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

8:35 European Commission representative arriving in Minsk

Hugues Mingarelli, Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General for External Relations of the European Commission, is to arrive in Minsk with a two-day visit on 29 August.

8:14 UN Security Council rebuffs Georgian separatists

The U.N. Security Council refused on Thursday to approve a request from representatives of two Georgian breakaway regions, which Russia has recognized as independent states, to address the council.