Maryna Adamovich writes to Israeli PM

The wife of Mikalai Statkevich responded to a remark by ambassador Yosef Shagal, who called the Belarusian political prisoners criminals.

Maryna Adamovich and families of the Belarusian political prisoners try to figure out if the statements were Israel's official position, Radio Racyja reports.

“I wouldn't react to his words in any way, but he said it was the official position of Israel. I cannot but react to the statement, because it really does matter. It's a matter of principle for me. I wrote an open letter to Israel's leadership and sent it to the newspaper of the Israel association Russian-speaking journalists,” Maryna Adamovich said.

The same letter was sent to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling to explain the position of his country on the issue of the Belarusian political prisoners. Maryna Adamovich notes in her letter that her husband Mikalai Statkevich was beaten and arrested as a presidential candidate. Amnesty International and the international community recognised his prisoner of conscience. She asks whether Yosef Shagal's words represent the official position of Israel.

We remind that Israel's ambassador to Belarus Yosef Shagal said some days ago in an interview with RTVI that the Belarusian political prisoners were criminals from Israel's point of view. The statement was criticised by relatives of the political prisoners and opposition.

Photo: RFE/RL