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Social Democratic Party of Germany pledges to work toward Statkevich's release

 

The Social Democratic Party of Germany will work to secure the release of Mikalay Statkevich, Katsyaryna Statkevich, the former presidential candidate's daughter, told BelaPAN with reference to the party's chairman, Sigmar Gabriel.

"Sigmar Gabriel wrote me that he admires my father and his courage and that he and his party will be doing their utmost to secure the father's release from prison," the woman said.

The German politician also wrote that "he is closely following developments in Belarus," she noted.

On May 26, Judge Lyudmila Hrachova of the Leninski District Court in Minsk sentenced Mr. Statkevich, 55, to six years in prison, finding him guilty of organizing “mass disorder” in connection with his participation in a post-election protest in the Belarusian capital in December 2010.