Czech Foreign Minister to present assistance plan for Belarus

Foreign Minister Tomáš Petříček (Social Democrats) is due to unveil a programme of assistance to support Belarusian victims of political repression, following presidential elections there on August 9. The plan is to be presented at a government meeting on Monday.

Mr Petříček met with Belarusian members of U.S. broadcaster Radio Free Europe on Thursday to discuss the possible forms of assistance.

Following that meeting, he said that the Czech Republic was ready to provide financial assistance to help cover legal defence costs, as well as medical and psychological help, for people injured by Belarusian police during the protests after the contested elections.