The head of the initiative group of Zyanon Paznyak, Syarhei Papkou, and a member of this group Uladzimer Talkachou were detained by policemen today in an underpass in Kastrychnitskaya Square in Minsk, when they were collecting signatures in support of their candidate and handed out informational leaflets concerning a procedure of “people’s voting”, the Radio Svaboda informs. It is the forth detention of Papkou in the last four days.
On January 25-26 a deputy chairman of the United Civil Party, the leader of the “Human Rights Alliance” Ludmila Hraznova goes to Moscow. She will meet with the leader of the Union of Right Forces Nikita Belykh, the head of the Republican Party Vladimir Ryzhkov, a well-known Russian politician Irina Khakamada. Besides, meetings is the Effective Politics Foundation, in the Russian-Belarusian Human Rights Commission and with Russian journalists.
An incident has taken place in the building of the executive committee of Frunzenski district of Minsk, when the signature sheets were certified by the head of the district administration Anatol Kuntsevich. The signature sheets were brought by Zmitser Charodka, a member of the initiative group of the democratic candidate Alyaksandr Milinkevich. Mr Kuntsevich noticed that the name of the member of the initiative group was absent at the signature sheets, seized them and submitted to the district election commission.
A session of the Supreme State Council (SSC) of the so-called “union state” of Russia and Belarus was held yesterday. At the session a range of agreements targeted, according to Vladimir Putin, at consolidation of potentials of the two states, was signed. Aliaxandar Lukashenka, in his turn, stated that during this SSC session the key arrangements, which are indicative of the sustainable development of the Russian-Belarusian integration, were reached, as the Russian online-newspaper “Utro” reports.
Russian President Vladimir Putin introduced new Ambassador of Russia to Belarus Aleksandr Surikov to Aliaxandar Lukashenka, an “Interfax” correspondent informs. As it was reported earlier, the candidature of former Governor of the Altai Territory A.Surikov is now being discussed in the Russian Parliament.
Jailed presidential contender Sergei Skrebets, currently standing trial on what many regard as politically-motivated charges, has thrown his support behind a campaign launched by activists of Belarusian business owners` associations earlier this month which is aimed at ousting Aleksandr Lukashenko.
As Minister of Justice Viktar Halavanau said at a press conference held in Minsk January 24, the Belarusian Ministry of Justice will not apply to the court with the suits on liquidation of political parties. According to the Minister, there is no “black list” for liquidation of political entities in the Ministry, but there is a “list of demands unimplemented by certain parties”.
January 17, a new director was introduced to the personnel of the Institute of Literature of the Belarusian Academy of Science: 38-year old candidate of science, pro-rector of the Art Academy Valery Maksimovich took the position of 68-year old Uladzimer Hnilamiodau, former authority of the BSSR Communist Party Central Committee.
Belarusian candidate for presidency of the democratic forces Alyaksandr Milinkevich addressed Polish Sejm today. “Our strength is in unity, and only unity could become a foundation of a victory. We will be happy if all those who are concerned by the future of Belarus, who share our values and see Belarus a democratic country, would join our broad coalition. It will be easier for us together. Returning Belarus to the path of freedom and democracy is a duty of Belarusians themselves; however we count on support of the democratic countries of the world. Coordination of the activities of all those who want to see Belarus free, is necessary,” Milinkevich said in his speech.
On January 24 representatives of the National Committee of the united democratic forces and of expert community of Belarus Yaraslau Ramanchuk and Leanid Zaika presented in Brussels a program of social and economic development of Belarus.
A stepfather of the murdered journalist Veranika Charkasava, Uladzimer Myaleshka, told to the Radio Svaboda that he, together with school representatives and a lawyer of Aleh Filimonau, have requested the prosecutor of Minsk to release underage boy with a written undertaking not to leave the place.
On January 24 in Minsk once again Syarhei Papkou was detained. Syarhei Papkou is the head of he initiative group collecting signatures in support of one of the candidates for the presidential race, Zyanon Paznyak, a leader of the Belarusian Conservative Christian Party Belarusian Popular Front. As said by S. Papkou, he was detained by the metro station “Kastrychnitskaya” by the state department store. The detention’s reason was handing out of leaflets with information of Zyanon Paznyak to carry out “people’s voting”.
On January 24 the Supreme Court of Belarus suspended the activities of the public association “Belorusskie Fabriki Mysli” (BFM, Belarusian Think-Tanks) for three months. The BelaPAN was informed about that by the chairman of the BFM coordinating council Aleh Manaeu.
Gallup Baltic Surveys announced the results of the latest opinion poll of Belarusians pointing at the steady growth of the recognition ratio and popularity of the single candidate of the united democratic forces Alexander Milinkevich.
Although resigned to losing the presidential elections on 19 March, the Belarusian opposition is seeking more focused EU help. Two Belarusian opposition representatives told a meeting at the European Parliament in Brussels today that the EU should make aid funds directly available to President Alyaksandr Lukashenka`s challengers. They also warned that after Lukashenka`s highly likely win, the EU must beware conferring any legitimacy on him.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Russia and Belarus needed further integration. “Citizens of our countries are waiting for consistent progress in Russian-Belarusian integration and practical solutions, consolidating its foundation and improving living standards in both countries,” Putin was quoted by RIA Novosti as saying at a session of the Supreme Council of the Russia-Belarus Union. “We should carry out serious and diligent work to justify their expectations.”
Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus have decided to institute a number of prizes of the Russia-Belarus Union State to destinguish achievements in literature and the arts, Putin told a news conference.
On January 25 the presidential hopeful, leader of democratic forces Alyaksandr Milinkevich has arrived to Warsaw at the invitation of Polish authorities. The main point of the visit’s program is to be meeting with Polish President Lech Kaczynski. The program of the visit includes speech in the Sejm, meetings with speakers of the both chambers of Polish Parliament, the leadership of the largest parliamentary faction “Law and Justice”, joint meeting with the deputies of this and the second largest faction Citizen’s platform”.
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