Ivashkevich accused of “undermining” state sovereignty
Viktar Ivashkevich, a representative of the organizing committee to create Belarusian Movement Party, has been warned against the actions that may be aimed at “undermining the state sovereignty”.The warning to the politician was issued in the Prosecutor General's Office on March 27, BelaPAN reports.
“They offered me to appear in the prosecutor's office again at 3:00 pm today to hand in a written warning,” Ivashkevich told journalists.
According to the politician, the warning was given in connection with his remarks on the necessity to impose sanctions on the Belarusian regime. “I do not consider myself guilty of undermining the state sovereignty. On the contrary, the actions by the Belarusian authorities and repressions provoke imposing sanctions on the country. Introduction of sanctions depends not on statements by Ivashkevich, but on behavior of the authorities,” Ivashkevich said.
He also said he considered a possibility of applying to a prosecutor's office to evaluate if the actions by the Belarusian authorities undermine the state sovereignty. “I asked if prosecutors would evaluate actions to undermine the state sovereignty if they were taken by the authorities and officials. I was told actions of any citizen can be evaluated,” the politician said.
On March 14, Viktar Ivashkevich appealed to the governments of European countries urging to impose an embargo on purchasing and transporting Belarusian oil products unless opposition activist Syarhei Kavalenka, who already lost 30 kilograms in hunger strike, is released.
“Of course, the dictator will not release anyone on his own will. We need to make him do it. Only real economic sanctions, such as a ban to buy and transport Belarusian oil products by EU members states, can make Lukashenka release all political prisoners, first of all Syarhei Kavalenka. Belarusian politicians, public activists and all Belarusians concerned about the fate of Syarhei Kavalenka should demand that European countries impose these sanctions. That's why, I, Viktar Ivashkevich, the co-head of the Council of Representatives of People's Assemblies, make an open appeal to the governments of European countries urging to impose a ban on buying and transporting Belarusian oil products via their territories, otherwise death of Syarhei Kavalenka will be on your conscience too,” the politician said.
