Mikalai Statkevich seeks to take part in parliamentary elections

Мікалай Статкевіч ідзе на парламенцкія выбары

The former political prisoner and ex-presidential candidate Mikalai Statkevich will take part in the parliamentary elections. Today, he submitted an application to register a nominating group that can put him forward as a candidate for parliament. BelaPAN reports Statkevich seeks nomination from the 105th Staravilenskaya Constituency in Minsk. He is set to stage a street rally in the VIP neighborhood Drazdy, which is part of this consituency.

Poet Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu is the head of the nominating group, which also includes well known political figures Zmicier Dashkevich and Vyachaslau Siuchyk.

Mikalai Statkevich says he does not recognize his conviction for the December 19, 2010 protests, which technically prevents him from getting registered as a candidate under the law. He reminds that back in 2008 his nominating group was registered despite the effective conviction. Ён нагадаў, што ў 2008-м на парламенцкіх выбарах яго ініцыятыўную групу зарэгістравалі, нягледзячы на непагашаную судзімасць. Як вядома, кіраўніцтва Еўрасаюза неаднаразова заклікала ўлады Беларусі рэабілітаваць былых палітвязняў, каб яны мелі магчымасць удзельнічаць у выбарах. Аднак гэтага зроблена не было.

The EU leaders have numerously called on the authorities in Belarus to rehabilitate the former political prisoners so that they can take part in the elections. However, the government has failed to do. The parliamentary elections in Belarus will take place on September 11.

"No space for local opposition members in the parliment"