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UN chief calls for release of Lukashenka's opponents

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on Monday for the release of former presidential candidates and other opposition figures detained in Belarus following the December 19 post-election protest.

UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said that Mr. Ban had noted serious concern by observers over the electoral process and subsequent developments.

"He's concerned about the continued detention of journalists, opposition candidates and their supporters and calls for their release and the full observance of human rights and due process," Reuters quoted Mr. Nesirky as saying.

Mr. Ban also reportedly regretted the Belarusian government's decision to close the Minsk office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Thirty-one people have already been charged in the mass riot case opened by the Minsk police in connection with the anti-Lukashenka demonstration. These include five former presidential candidates. Of these, Uladzimir Nyaklyayew, Alyaksey Mikhalevich, Andrey Sannikaw and Mikalay Statkevich are held in custody, while another former presidential candidate, Vital Rymashewski, was released earlier this month on his own recognizance. Two more Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s rivals in the election, Ryhor Kastusyow and Dzmitry Uss, are suspects in the case and are not in jail. //BelaPAN