Reaction to the capture of Raman Pratasevich and Sofia Sapega:
– Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya convened an emergency meeting in Lithuania with the participation of the Coordination Council, the National Anti-Crisis Management, Valery Tsapkala’s HQ, ByPol, and other democratic forces. The participants of the meeting agreed to act together, coordinate campaigns of economic boycott and resistance and made an appeal to Belarusian officials and the Russian leadership. A communique was signed at the end of the meeting.
– Ms. Tsikhanouskaya made a call to the US National Security Advisor to Joe Biden Jake Sullivan. Shortly after the call, Joe Biden made a statement supporting Raman Pratasevich and demanding an investigation.
– The leader of democratic Belarus had a call with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. Mr. Borrell reported that the EU is planning to adopt 4th and 5th packages of sanctions against the regime. Calls were also made to the Foreign Ministers of Poland, France, and Greece.
– Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya spoke at the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament and called for decisive and swift actions, including assistance to journalists, civil society, isolation of the regime.
– Ms. Tsikhanouskaya met with the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. After the meeting, they held a joint press conference, where Mr. Rutte stated that he was ready to apply the strongest possible pressure on Lukashenka to help the Belarusians.
EU Assistance Plan for Belarus:
– The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, sent to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya the EU Comprehensive Plan of Economic Support to democratic Belarus, which was developed in cooperation with the Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya’s Office and provides assistance in the amount of up to $10 billion.
– The representatives of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya explained the main points about the Plan: «We do everything to ensure that the day after the new elections this assistance is given to Belarus».
– The representative of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya for Economics Ales Aliakhnovich spoke about the Program of support of the participants of the strike movement as well as citizens and businesses affected by repression. Part of the program is planned to be financed from the EU Plan.
Restoration of the rule of law:
– The Prosecutor General of Germany ordered to take personal control of the crimes of the regime.
– Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met with lawyers in Hague and discussed the possibility of prosecuting those responsible for the aircraft incident, and discussed the launch of a preliminary investigation by the International Criminal Court into the crimes of the Lukashenka regime. The leader of democratic Belarus stated that Belarus is ready to sign the Rome Statute. A reply was received from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) about the opening of an investigation, which involved EU and FBI specialists.
– Ms.Tsikhanouskaya announced the International Conference on New Elections in Belarus, which will be held on 1-2 June. How to register for the conference and where to watch its broadcast — read here.
Solidarity:
– Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called on the international community to hold a Global Picket of Solidarity with Belarus. It was attended by people from 30 countries from over 90 cities. A complete list of countries and politicians who supported the Picket can be found here.
– Belarusian leader called to support the campaign «Collect a parcel to political prisoners» of the «Country to live in» fund and the Bysol initiative, where every repressed Belarusian can start a personal fundraising campaign.
– Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in interviews with Belarusian and foreign media spoke about the situation in Belarus, repression, and work on isolation of the regime: Delfi (Lithuania), LRT (Lithuania), AP, Euronews (one, two), National Public Radio (USA), Sky News, The Atlantic, Independent, Repubblica (Italy), Corriere della Sera (Italy), Time, Reuters, Irishtimes, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, MDR, Helsingin Sanomat (Finland), Latvian Television.
