Mikalai Statkevich: We Are To Protest Against Banditism In Politics

The leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party Narodnaya Hramada called to join the rally against the persecution of his colleague by the authorities in Navapolatsk on July 17.

Ex-presidential candidate, chairman of the organizing committee for the registration of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Narodnaya Hramada) Mikalai Statkevich writes that on Facebook, charter97.org reports.

“Narodnaya Hramada has decided to withdraw from the “elections” after the authorities grossly violated the Constitution, refusing to register my initiative group. But we decided not to prohibit our party members to nominate as candidates independently. Only 5 out of 27 potential candidates have decided to use this opportunity. Of course, we monitor their campaigns’ progress,” –Mikalai Statkevich wrote.

Today the politician has received shocking information from his Navapolatsk colleague, who is nominated as a candidate there.

The oppositionists’ family members have been twice stolen by unknown persons. They were kicked in the head and, having lost consciousness, they were taken to another place, where they were beaten. There were cases of verbal threats to the relatives seeking Mikalai to withdraw from the “elections.”

“The people are so frightened after the attacks that they are even afraid to talk about what happened to them. It is still not known who has organized the attacks. It’s either the job of some local “services’” or Mikalai’s competitor in the district – acting “deputy” Dzeviatouski, whose criminal past is not a secret in the city,” – Mikalai Statkevich says.

“Although the party has decided to ignore this campaign, I want to give Mikalai my support in connection with these attacks.

On Sunday, July 17, from 12.00 to 13.00 I will participate in the picket near the local market in Navapolatsk to collect signatures for nominating Mikalai Manokhin as a candidate. The picket will be held outside house 3 in Kirau street.

I invite all those, who are against banditism in politics, to come and support Mikalai Manokhin” – Mikalai Statkevich wrote.

We remind that on July 14, the leaders of opposition organizations, members of the Rada of the Belarusian National Congress, refused to participate in the “election” and made a corresponding statement.