Belarusian opposition demands release of former prime minister (05/30/99)

Belarusian opposition demands release of former prime minister

RFE/RL Newsline

MIENSK - Some 1,000 people rallied in the Belarusian capital on May 24 to demand the release of former Prime Minister Mikhail Chyhir and "all political opponents of Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka," Interfax reported.

The Belarusian opposition believes that Mr. Chyhir was arrested on trumped-up charges. He was taken into custody after he had registered as a candidate in the unauthorized presidential elections.

Meanwhile, Prosecutor-General Aleh Bazhelka recently said that in his former capacity as bank head, Mr. Chyhir is suspected of having issued not only a "dubious $1 million credit to a Canadian firm but also unjustifiable credits to various limited liability companies," RFE/RL's Belarusian service reported.

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