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UN chief reiterates call for release of Lukashenka`s opponents

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has reiterated his call for the release of all those detained over the December 19 post-election demonstration in Minsk that was brutally dispersed by riot police, BelaPAN said.

Mr. Ban is concerned about reports of harassment of political opponents in Belarus in the wake of last month’s presidential election, Mr. Ban’s spokesman, Farhan Haq, said at a news conference in New York City on Monday.

“He is concerned about reports of harassment and continued detention of journalists, civil society activists and opposition candidates,” the spokesman said. “The Secretary-General reiterates his call for their release and for the full adherence to due process.”

A total of 37 people, including five former presidential candidates, have been charged with organizing mass riots in connection with the December 19 protest. All of them may face a prison term of up to 15 years.

Ex-candidate Vital Rymashewski, of the unregistered Belarusian Christian Democracy party, was released on his own recognizance in early January. Anther former candidate, Uladzimir Nyaklyayew, leader of the “Tell the Truth!” campaign, was transferred to house arrest last week. The charges against them were not dropped.

Three ex-candidates, Ales Mikhalevich, Andrey Sannikaw and Mikalay Statkevich, remain to be held in the KGB detention center, along with their aides and allies of other former candidates.