14-03-2006: Police interfears

During the first day of early voting in the Belarusian Presidential election 2 Swedes and 6 Danes were expelled from , because the authorities did not want them to conduct exit polling and election observation. They have been ordered to leave within 48 hours. The 2 Swedes have furthermore been denied entry into for the next 5 years.

The events contradicts earlier statements from the Belarusian Central Election Committee. The Committee have stated that they expected that international exit polling and observing would take place, and that this would be perfectly legal. 

All the persons in question were during the day taken into policy custody for questioning, here they were also questioned by the KGB. It should be underline that none of the person were physically harmed.

In addition to this more than 40 persons have been denied visas for during the last 48 hours.

For additional information and comments contact Jonathan Nielsen, SILBA Press Coordinator at +45 30 54 21 89 or e-mail press@silba.dk.