Exiled politician says he won’t back down despite son’s arrest

March 30, BPN. Anatol Labiedźka, former longtime leader of the United Civic Party (UCP) currently based in Lithuania, has told BPN that he will not give up politics after his son’s arrest.

“I am now dealing with the constitutional reform,” he said. “It turns out that I am being punished for an alternative that I and my colleagues offer Belarusians.”

The politician stressed that his plan would guarantee separation of powers, fair elections, control over budget funds and impartial judiciary.

“Of course, I will keep doing what I do now because I think it’s important for the country, for the people and there’s definitely no crime here,” he noted.

Police arrested Labedźka’s son Arciom in Minsk in the evening of March 28 and jailed him for 15 days for allegedly using foul language near the police station.