US President would like to see Kazulin released

The US President George Bush expressed condolence to Belarusian political prisoner Alyaksandr Kazulin on the death of his wife, the press service of the White House informs.

“President Bush extends his condolences to Alyaksandr Kazulin and to the Kazulins’ daughters, Olga and Yuliya, on the death of their wife and mother," the press service says.

The statement also says "Due to his unjust imprisonment, Mr. Kazulin was also unable to join the other leaders of the unified democratic opposition of Belarus when they met with President (George W.) Bush in the Oval Office on December 6."

Alyaksandr Kazulin was detained in March 2006 after participating in presidential election campaign and organising protest actions. He was found guilty in hooliganism and riot organising and sentenced to 5 and a half years of imprisonment in a maximum security colony.

The Belarusian authorities gave the oppositionist a three-day leave to attend his wife’s funeral. The funeral of Iryna Kazulina, died on 23 February, is scheduled for Wednesday, 27 February.