Ashton demands to free political prisoners

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton expressed her deep regret over sentences to Mikalai Statkevich and Dzmitry Uss.

“These politically motivated sentences are yet another step backwards as regards Belarus’ respect for human rights, the rule of law and democratic principles,” Ahston’s statement says.

The EU representative calls to stop the crackdown on the political opposition, civil society and the independent media.

“I consider the presence of political prisoners in the heart of Europe in the 21st century unacceptable, and call for their immediate release and rehabilitation,” Ashton underlines, Interfax reports.