France condemns trial in absentia of Belarusian opposition leaders

January 18, BPN. The trial in absentia of Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja and other members of the opposition in exile is another evidence of “the Łukašenka regime’s systematic crackdown against the opposition,” the French foreign ministry said on January 17.

“France reaffirms its support for the Belarusian people’s peaceful democratic aspirations and denounces the government’s policy of repression. We condemn the Belarusian authorities’ relentless crackdown against the opposition candidates in the 2020 elections. We renew our call for a sincere, transparent dialogue between the Belarusian authorities and democratic forces, as well as the release of all political prisoners,” it said.

It recalled that during her meeting with Cichanoŭskaja in October 2022, Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna had reiterated France’s support “for the Belarusian opposition’s struggle for democracy and peace.”