Race for Statkevich and free Belarus in Katowice

A race to support a Belarusian political prisoner was held in Polish Katowice.

The event was organised by MEP Marek Migalski and Projekt Śląsk. The race titled “For Statkevich and Free Belarus” took place on Sunday with the aim of spreading information about the Belarusian political prisoner and the situation in our country, the MEP's website reports.

Many participants of the race wore t-shirts with the portrait of Mikalai Statkevich.

“Being more than just a sporting event, the race was organised to raise public awareness about the state of civil society in Belarus and the Belarusian political prisoners. We wanted to represent the participants Mikalai Statkevich, a presidential candidate in the 2010 elections, who serves a 6-year sentence in a closed prison in Mahilou. Maryna Adamovich, the political prisoner's wife, attended the race and talked to runners about her husband,” the website informs.

The race took place in Tadeusz Kościuszko Park. 50 participants ran a 5-kilometre distance. Lech Głowiak and Agnieszka Głąb were the first to finish the race in 17 minutes 13 seconds and 20 minutes 43 seconds respectively.