Korcok Calls on Lukashenko to Respect Principles of Democracy in Belarus

Bratislava, August 10 (TASR) - Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Ivan Korcok (a Freedom and Solidarity/SaS nominee) has called on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to respect fundamental principles of democracy and the freedom of speech, TASR learnt from the ministry's press department on Monday. Korcok in his statement stressed that no one can be persecuted for expressing his/her opinion. "The Belarusian ruling regime's actions against political opponents and citizens who freely express their opinions are unacceptable," stated the Slovak minister. The Belarusian police detained some 3,000 people during the interventions against demonstrators who claim that Sunday's (August 9) presidential election in the country, which was again won by Lukashenko, was manipulated, according to data published by the Belarusian Interior Ministry. Human rights organisation Viasna reported that one person died and dozens of other people suffered injuries during the nation-wide protests. ko/mcs