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Kastusyow says he does not regret what he said to Belarusian Television

Ryhor Kastusyow, deputy chairman of the Belarusian Popular Front (BPF) who was a candidate in Belarus’ recent presidential election, said at a meeting of the BPF Soym (Council) in Minsk on Saturday that he did not regret what he had said in an interview broadcast by Belarusian Television (Channel One) on December 20.

Mr. Kastusyow was arrested in a police crackdown on a post-election protest in Minsk’s Independence Square on the night of December 19, but he was freed the following day after his interview with Belarusian Television.

Mr. Kastusyow said in that interview that he regretted the disturbances that took place at the center of Minsk on December 19. “I would like everything to have been in a different, peaceful manner,” he said to Belarusian Television.

As Mr. Kastusyow said at the BPF Soym’s meeting, he will always criticize those who are ready to surrender national interests for their own gains. “I had certain information and I’ll disclose it after all those detained are freed,” he said.

He noted that he would use every opportunity to inform the public of the BPF’s position. “We advocate peaceful protests,” he stressed.

Mr. Kastusyow also said that the KGB had not put any pressure on him, and that he had not been forced to read out a prepared statement in that interview. “I was shown questions and I answered them off the cuff,” he said.

The 53-year-old Kastusyow is one of the suspects in a so-called riot case that was opened following the December 19 protest. //BelaPAN