Maryna Lobava: I won’t Waste Time on “Electoral” Show

In Belarus there are no “elections” as such now: neither by the list of participants, nor by the method of their holding.

It was said in the interview to charter97.org by Maryna Lobava, the mother of the former political prisoner Eduard Lobau, who is fighting for Ukraine in one of the detachments near Mariupol.

- What is your evaluation of the presidential “elections” held in Belarus now?

- I think there is no “election.” There are no candidates to choose from. The vote count is non-transparent. Are these “elections”?

Personally I am going to ignore these “elections.” I won’t waste my time on participation in this show.

All my acquaintances support the idea of ignoring these “elections.” But not all people can afford that: those who live I provinces and work at a state institutions, have to participate in the “elections” in order not to lose job.

Some of my acquaintances from little towns have already been warned, they have to attend these “elections.” It is easier to avoid that in Minsk and capitals of regions, than in little towns and villages.

- And what is your evaluation of the campaign of Mikalai Statkevich and other oppositional leaders with a demand to cancel this election and hold a new one – with participation of democratic candidates?

- Highly positively. I support this campaign and believe that Mikalai is our hero: after release from prison, he immediately joined this campaign. I respect his choice – in the same manner as all our family.