BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

24/01/2007

Interior ministry: There are no political prisoners in Belarusian jails

There are no citizens convicted on political charges in Belarusian prisons, Interior Minister of the republic Vladimir Naumov announced at a news conference today, a REGNUM correspondent informs. According to him, as a rule, such people are serving sentences for hooliganism or group violation of public order.

It is worth mentioning, on January 18-20, PACE President Rene van der Linden paid an official visit to the republic. At a news conference he announced that Belarus is the only country that is not a member of the European family. "On this reason I call upon an open dialog and at the same time call for taking obligations in the frameworks of the Council of Europe," Linden is quoted as saying. "I repeat it once again that Belarus could make some certain steps in the beginning of the dialog. Let us start with discussion the subject of political prisoners. And if there are discrepancies on whether there are political prisoners or not, let's ask international experts find the answer."

Commenting on PACE president's words, Naumov said: "I am the interior minister, and I am in charge for fulfilling the law and for domestic security of the country, but not for cooperation with international organizations, including cooperation with European institutions."

Source:

http://www.regnum.ru/english/771753.html