Belarus

Poland Demands Belarus Release Its Ambassador

A photo from 1998 shows Mariusz Maszkiewicz, the former Polish ambassador to Belarus. He was arrested in Minsk on March 24 (epa) April 4, 2006 -- Poland has demanded the immediate release of its former ambassador to Belarus.
Ambassador Mariusz Maszkiewicz was imprisoned last month after taking part in rallies against the disputed March 19 election that saw President Alyaksandr Lukashenka reelected.


Maszkiewicz's father is on a hunger strike until he says his son is released.


In Minsk, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry says it has received no official notice of the demand to free Maszkiewicz.


Relations between the two countries have been strained for months, and Poland openly backed the main opposition candidate to Lukashenka.


(Reuters, AFP)

Minsk, March 25

Minsk, March 25

THE AUTHORITIES GET TOUGH: RFE/RL's Belarus Service filed these images from the police action against the March 25 demonstration in Minsk. Photographs by Maks Kapran.


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THE COMPLETE PICTURE: Click on the image to view a dedicated page with news, analysis, and background information about the Belarusian presidential ballot.


COVERAGE IN BELARUSIAN: Click on the image to view RFE/RL's coverage of the election campaign in Belarusian and to listen to RFE/RL's Belarusian Service.