Martseleu left as hostage

Syarhei Martseleu, a former campaign manager for Mikalai Statkevich, was not permitted to leave Belarus for medical treatment.

The politician, who was given a 2-year suspended sentence for participating in the post-election protests, applied for permission to travel abroad, but his application was declined.  

“I've received an answer from the police. I cannot leave the country,” the politician wrote on his Facebook account.

It should be reminded that Martseleu cannot leave the town without permission of the corrections department during two years of probation. He says he needs to go abroad for medical treatment. He attached medical certificates to his application.

Photo: Radio Svaboda