Yarmoshyna: "Elections" are not recognized because of Sweden

• 14.08.2012, 11:22

The Chairman of the CEC accused OSCE observers of "bias".

"The fact that Mr. Eriksson (ex-Ambassador of Sweden to Belarus - IF) actively interfered in the process of observation, - it was during all election campaigns in the country. Of course, I think that this conflict has left its mark", - is quoted Lydia Yarmoshina by the official news agency BelTA in relation to the connection of the diplomatic conflict with the assessment of OSCE ODIHR upcoming "elections".

The head of the Central Election Commission expects that, in connection with this conflict, the attitude of the part of observers of the OSCE ODIHR towards the election campaign will be very biased. "It is usually biased, but in this case it will be tinged with even more negative", - suggests Yarmoshina.

Belarusian Foreign Ministry announced on August 8 a recall of its embassy in Stockholm and offered Sweden to remove its embassy in Minsk until August 30. The Belarusian side has accused the former Swedish Ambassador Stefan Eriksson in destructive activities, and support of the opposition. On the eve of the diplomatic scandal a light airplane, piloted by the citizens of Sweden, made an unauthorized flight over the territory of Belarus, dropping, including over Minsk, teddy bears with calls in support of freedom of speech in Belarus. The action became known as "Teddy Troopers" and led to resignation of the heads of the Air Defense and the Border Committee of Belarus. The country’s KGB invited three Swedish citizens to the country to testify and continues to hold in jail the photographer who posted pictures of bears on the Internet, as well as the resident of Minsk who was, supposedly, going to rent out an apartment to the Swedes.