Дмитрий Болкунец dan repost
Lukashenko frees Belarus union leader and TV journalist in new prisoner release
Dmitry Bolkunets said the prisoner releases were the result of international pressure on Lukashenko, especially from Poland. Poland has leverage because it is the main entry point through which goods from Belarus enter the European Union by road and rail, including shipments originating in China and Russia.
Bolkunets, who has also gathered the signatures of dozens of Nobel prize winners demanding the freeing of Belarusian political prisoners, told Reuters he was hopeful this pressure could lead to more releases - potentially on Aug. 30, when Lukashenko celebrates his 70th birthday, or when Belarus marks its national unity holiday on Sept. 17.
Dmitry Bolkunets said the prisoner releases were the result of international pressure on Lukashenko, especially from Poland. Poland has leverage because it is the main entry point through which goods from Belarus enter the European Union by road and rail, including shipments originating in China and Russia.
Bolkunets, who has also gathered the signatures of dozens of Nobel prize winners demanding the freeing of Belarusian political prisoners, told Reuters he was hopeful this pressure could lead to more releases - potentially on Aug. 30, when Lukashenko celebrates his 70th birthday, or when Belarus marks its national unity holiday on Sept. 17.