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Nyaklyayew apologizes to MEP Marek Migalski for authorities' decision to deny him entry into Belarus

 

Former presidential candidate Uladzimir Nyaklyayew has offered his apology to Marek Migalski for the Belarusian authorities' decision to deny the European Parliament member entry into the country.

Mr. Migalski was taken off a Terespol-Brest train on the night between August 14 and 15. He was taken to a checkpoint, given back his train ticket after a long period of waiting and told that he would not be allowed into Belarus. Dr. Migalski, a Polish politician, was traveling to Belarus at the invitation of a human rights group called Vyasna.

"I have gotten used to bearing the responsibility for my actions only, but you were not allowed to cross the border of the Republic of Belarus, of which I am a citizen," the 65-year-old politician and poet wrote in his letter to Dr. Migalski. "Since the border control service is funded with taxes paid by me as well, I feel responsible for the incident. That is why I want to apologize to you."

Mr. Nyaklyayew wrote that he felt sad and ashamed that a European Parliament member had been denied entry into a country that called itself part of Europe. "That means that one more brick was added to the invisible wall that separates us from Europe," he said.

Mr. Nyaklyayew expressed gratitude to the MEP for supporting persecuted opponents of Alyaksandr Lukashenka's regime. "But one day, just like the Berlin Wall came down under the attack from people, the walls that separate Belarus from the rest of Europe will also come down," he predicted.

As Mr. Nyaklyayew told BelaPAN, "if there is a lout in power in Belarus and he starts treating rudely not only its citizens but also guests, someone should apologize for that."

He described the letter as an apology to all human rights defenders, reporters and other people who have been denied entry into Belarus on political motives.