Polish MFA: No harm for Belarusians over financial report mail

“A small amount (less than 600 PLN) (approximately 200 USD) was paid to Belarusian independent activists as per diem when taking part in a civil society conference in the framework of the Eastern Partnership summit in September 2011. Those per diems were received by only several people. It is a usual routine for conference participants, including those from Belarus," says the official statement posted on the Polish MFA's website.

The Polish foreign ministry believes the official propaganda in Belarus should not be able to use these data against activists. "It is not reasonable even to compare this small assistance with the money at Ales Bialiatski's account".

Poland's MFA stressed that per diems had been paid to Belarusian participants earlier but it would have never caused any problems for activists in Belarus.