June 8, Pozirk. Opposition politician Pavieł Łatuška met with Dorota Dlouchy-Suliga of the European External Action Service (EEAS) to discuss the persecution of exiled Belarusians by Alaksandar Łukašenka’s regime, his press office reported yesterday.
The politician pointed out threats that Belarusian pro-democracy activists receive in the European Union and special proceedings in Belarus that allow for trials in absentia and seizure of property from regime critics who left Belarus. Two years ago, Łatuška himself was given 18 years in prison without being present at the trial on charges routinely used against Łukašenka’s opponents.
Łatuška lobbied for continued support for Belarusian independent media amid Minsk’s and Moscow’s efforts promoting pro-Russian moods and denigrating democratic values.
The talks also focused on preparations for the EU Consultative Group’s meeting with the Belarusian pro-democracy forces scheduled for June 11 in Brussels. The upcoming event will focus on the political situation in Belarus, the opposition and EU strategies as well as accountability for Łukašenka and his officials.
