Yauhen Afnagel: “We shall come to October Square every day”

• 1.05.2009, 15:24

Mikalay Autukhovich, a political prisoner who declared a hunger strike, can die in prison.

It has been stated in an interview to the Charter’97 press-centre by an activist of the civil campaign “European Belarus” Yauhen Afnagel, who took part in the rally of solidarity with political prisoners held on May 1 near the remand prison in Minsk.

“Today riot policemen were beating peaceful demonstrators again. They seized flags of the EU from our hands again. It is surprising at a time of the recent visit of Alyaksandr Lukashenka to Italy and the upcoming visit of Belarusian officials to the Eastern Partnership summit in Prague on May 7. I would like to know how European officials would behave, knowing that in Belarus on the command of the authorities policemen tear European flags, beat up people who gather under European flags for rallies of solidarity with political prisoners,” Yauhen Afnagel said.

“I think it is very important to demonstrate solidarity with political prisoners, and we are sure to continue rallies. The regime has been let off the leash in its actions against the opposition, and any of us could be in the place of Autukhovich. The political prisoner continues the hunger strike for more than two weeks, he can die any moment, but no one speaks about that. Belarusian and foreign media are silent about that. We shall gather in October Square of Minsk every day at 6 p.m. and we shall fight for our friend, as we have been fighting, and will fight for every Belarusian patriot,” Yauhen Afnagel said.