BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

27/04/2006

EU calls for release of Belarus opposition leaders

Brussels, April 27, IRNA

The European Union voiced Thursday its dismay over the arrest of prominent opposition leaders in Belarus and called for their immediate release.

"I am dismayed at reports of the detention of Aleksandr Milinkevich and other prominent members of the Belarus opposition, including Vintsuk Vyachorka, Sergei Kalyakin, and Aleksandr Bukhvostov, following yesterday's peaceful demonstration in Minsk to mark the 20 anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster," EU Commissioner for external relations Benita Ferrero- Waldner said in a statement.

She called for 'the immediate release of all those arrested and detained because of their opinions'.

The main opposition leader, Alexander Milinkevich, has been jailed for 15 days for attending an unsanctioned rally.

Source:

http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0604276471182053.htm