Updated at 17:53,27-03-2024

Relatives of kidnapped oppositionists ask to prevent Lukashenko’s visit to Lithuania

ucpb.org

On September, 16 Alexander Lukashenko is going to visit Lithuanian-Belarusian economic forum in Vilnius. This day is the 10th anniversary of the abduction of former chairman of the Central Election Commission and Vice-Speaker of the Supreme Council of Belarus, former Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Gonchar and businessman Anatoly Krasovsky.

Expecting the forum President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė said she is ready to meet with Alexander Lukashenko, if he wishes it.

Zinaida Gonchar, wife of the politician, Olga Zavadskaya, mother of the cameraman Dmitry Zavadsky, and Ulyana Zakharenko, mother of former Interior Minister Yuri Zakharenko, sent an appeal to the President of the Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė.

In the appeal Zinaida Gonchar, Olga Zavadskaya and Ulyana Zakharenko recall Lithuanian President that "a number of high ranking Belarusian officials are suspected of involvement in kidnapping of the oppositionists" and that "for a long time the Belarusian authorities show unwillingness to objectively investigate the details of these cases, ignore many of our requirements, the requirements of the Belarusian and international public opinions".

We want to remind that today Minsk City authorities denied permission to the United Civil Party to hold a picket in memory of Victor Gonchar and Anatoly Krasovsky, who disappeared without a trace 10 years ago.

Wife and mothers of kidnapped oppositionists asked Dalia Grybauskaitė "to take all necessary measures to prevent this visit".