Romanchuk Blames Statkevich, Sannikov and Rymasheuski for Riots at Square

20.12.2010 12:10
Архив Редакция

Opposition leaders Andrei Sannikov, Nikolai Statkevich and Vital Rymasheuski provoked riots and an attempted seizure of Government House, thus endangering lives of thousands of people. This statement was made by the presidential candidate of the United Civil Party Yaroslav Romanchuk on December 20.

Yaroslav Romanchuk said that the demonstration at Kastrychnitskaya Square in Minsk on December 19 was planned as a peaceful expression of citizens’ views.

«Unfortunately, N. Statkevich, A. Sannikov and B. Rymasheuski encouraged and led people to Independence Square during the action. They provoked riots there and made an attempt to capture the Government House. The lives of thousands of people turned out to be under the threat,» the press service of Yaroslav Romanchuk.

According to the politician, Andrei Sannikov «really wanted to disrupt the fragile dialogue, originated between Belarus and the international community.»

«Anatoly Lebedko, chairman of the United Civic Party, and I have repeatedly tried to persuade A. Sannikov and N. Statkevich to abandon plans for radical actions, as I am sure that the revolution in Belarus will destroy democracy. Mass force protests are not able to create an atmosphere for meaningful public dialogue,» Yaroslav Romanchuk concluded.

As Telegraf previously reported, the candidate called on voters to come to Kastrychnitskaya Square on December 19 «with a thermos, mother-in and a smile at the riot police» in order to protest against election fraud.

«I will come to the Square with my friends at 20:00 on December 19. And I invite all of you: Come along with mother-in, bring a thermos. Smile at the riot policemen, who will be there — because your smile will confirm that we are not terrorists, but civilians,» Yaroslav Romanchuk said at a meeting with voters on December 13.

He actually took part in demonstrations at Kastrychnitskaya Square. However, there were speakers on lampposts, working at full volume — the music was so loud that virtually nothing else could be heard.

Therefore all the people, gathered there, went to Independence Square, but Yaroslav Romanchuk refused to join them. As a result some of the demonstrators smashed windows and doors of the Government House; the organizers of the rally called it as a provocation. After the incident, riot policemen began to beat and arrest people. Some presidential candidates from the opposition and members of their staffs were arrested; offices and apartments of activists were searched. Belarusian journalists, as well as the foreign ones, were also affected.

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