Fired because of plans to stand for election

Engineer Ales Mekh, head of the Belarusian Popular Front branch in Kobryn (Brest region), was instructed to leave his work in the state-owned company Beltransgaz.

 Ales Mekh, activist of the Movement for Freedom, is planning to run during the forthcoming elections in his region on behalf of the United Democratic Forces (UDF) which has put a common list of 110 candidates all around the country.

 

On June 4, the head of the Beltransgaz in Kobryn, Uladzimir Halashka, summoned Ales Mekh to his office.  A local KGB officer, Andrei Basko, was waiting for him there. The two officials warned the activist that he will be fired if he does not refuse to stand for election.

Being reputed to be a very good professional, Ales Mekh has been working for the company for 14 years. His chiel and colleagues appealed to the branch office asking the company managers to review their decision about Ales' dismissal. However, on July 30, the activist was informed that his contract will not be extended.

- This is one of the facts that show how authorities prepare themselves for elections. Regrettably, the same tendency of increased pressure on activists is being used from one election campaign to another. The dismissal of Mr. Mekh is another proof that a liberalization of the regime can not be expected.

We are monitoring pre-election situation in the country. We will provide our partners in Europe and US with information about the persons who are involved in politically motivated repressions. We would like to see these persons put on the visa ban list, - commented Deputy Chairman of the Movement "For Freedom" Mr. Viktar Karneyenka.

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