Czech Republic calls on Belarus to end repressions and release political prisoners

The Czech Republic has officially called on Belarus to end repression, release all political prisoners and initiate dialogue with its citizens, the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed via its website on Wednesday. The statement came in reaction to Tuesday’s sentencing of the husband of Belarussian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to 18 years in prison, as well as sentencing fiver other opposition activists to similar jail terms.

According to the Ministry, the Czech Republic condemns these sentencings and expresses solidarity with the impacted individuals as well as with their families and friends.

Foreign Minister Jakub Kulhánek has called on the EU to prepare further sanctions on the ruling regime in Belarus.

The Czech Republic and the European Union do not recognise the results of last year’s presidential election in Belarus, which officially saw long-term President Alexander Lukashenka beat opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.