Statkevich freed after four-hour questioning :: Charter'97 :: News

Nikolai Statkevich, leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party "Narodnaya Hramada" (BSDP), was freed by the police on the night of October 29 after his four-hour questioning as a witness at the interior ministry`s Investigative Committee following his 10 days in jail.

On Friday evening, Mr. Statkevich was to be released from the detention center on Okrestina Street in Minsk, where he had served a 10-day sentence for participation in an unsanctioned opposition demonstration on October 19. Instead of that, the politician and 10 other opposition activists who were also to be released were taken to the Investigative Committee for questioning in connection with criminal proceedings under Article 342 of the Criminal Code that penalizes the organization of mass disturbances or active participation in them. The proceedings were instituted following unsanctioned street protests staged by opposition activists in central Minsk on October 18, 19 and 20 against the officially announced results of the recent national referendum and parliamentary elections, which are widely believed to have been rigged.

"We expected that we would not be just released from the Okrestina center," Mr. Statkevich told BelaPAN. "My interrogation began at 5:02 p.m. and lasted until 9:20 p.m., more than four hours, including the time of waiting for the arrival of a lawyer whom I immediately demanded."

According to the politician, he was freed without conditions. However, he did not rule out that he might be charged with a criminal offense for participation in the October 18 protest, which was the most active one.

Mr. Statkevich noted that he still considered those street protests a right move. "This should have been done for those whose votes were stolen, whose victory was stolen, and who were deprived of their jobs. Two of our former candidates have already been sacked and one of them has attempted to burn himself alive. Our youths showed courage that our politicians sometimes lack," he said, adding that the protests marred the authorities` scenario of what they called an elegant victory in the referendum and elections.

"Whether or not street demonstrations will continue will depend on the number of participants and public repercussions," the BSDP leader said. "Personally, I advocate any active moves. Now it is necessary to sum up the campaign, get down to strengthening pro-democracy organizations and holding talks for the consolidation of opposition forces, and decide on a further course of action."

"I think one should hardly expect the actual results of the vote to be announced without street pressure," Mr. Statkevich added.