Former presidential contender Valery Tsepkalo with the children moved from Belarus to Russia. According to him, the home he was threatened with criminal case and the revocation of parental rights. In this country, left his wife Veronica, who continues to support Svetlana Tikhanovski, which is considered the main opponent of Alexander Lukashenko in the presidential election. Soon Tsepkalo plans to organize a world tour.
According to Tsepkalo, if he now led the election campaign from the country would leave his wife, but since she is now at the forefront to migrate he had. What charges may be involved, the politician does not know. However, he is confident that the ruling in Belarus, the regime is able to blame him for anything, and making excuses would be impossible. In particular, he cited the example of Sergei Tikhanovski and Victor Babariko, which Lukashenko has sent to the detention center because they were afraid their competition. Now one is accused of assaulting a police officer, and the other in the embezzlement of millions of dollars, and Lukashenko regularly tries to humiliate them, and they have no way to answer him. Tsepkalo does not want to be in their position.
however, the unrecognized political refugee, said that it may come home to 9 of August if there will be “hot”. For example, it can appear at campaign rally in Minsk, if the situation permits. While Tsepkalo do not consider Russia as a place for long term stay. This is just one of the stops in his long journey. In the near future, a former contender for the presidency is going to perform in Russia, Ukraine, EU and US with a story about what is happening in his homeland. During the tour Tsepkalo wants to tell the truth about the Lukashenko regime.
earlier, about the threat the family reported Svetlana Tikhanovski. Even before it was registered as a presidential candidate, advised her to withdraw from the race if she doesn’t want to go in jail after her husband and losing children. For security purposes, she sent their children to one of the countries of the European Union. Their whereabouts are unknown.
Dmitry Bolkunets, Belarusian political analyst: Valery Tsepkalo has committed an act that Alexander Lukashenko does not forgive – a former member of the President’s team has decided to participate in presidential elections. The people who have committed similar, ended up in prison. They say that some supporters of Lukashenko, who was in a similar story, I had to ask for his forgiveness on his knees. I don’t know how much is true, but it is quite possible that such a thing could be. So Tsepkalo made the right move by leaving the country. Better to be free and to be able to conduct some kind of activity than to be in prison.
Complexbut to say, how to develop these events further, his wife remains in Belarus and actively advocates Tikhanovski. I don’t think Lukashenko will be to arrest her, but to take hostage children, as it did with Babariko, it could.
– whether Russia Can issue a Tsepkalo?
– the Belarusian authorities will not seek results Tsepkalo, because Lukashenko does not need politzakluchennyh in the country. He was more comfortable when they are outside of the Republic. In addition, the Minsk now calls on Moscow to immediately open the borders. This is also due to the fact that migrant workers who work in Russia, now find themselves without a job in Belarus. Basically, it is men in the Prime of life, strong guys that can make the backbone of the protest on 9 August. Therefore Lukashenko wants that they soon left.
as for the General elections of the country, Russia is one of the safest options which is used by many Belarusian opposition. First, the relatively simple procedure of crossing the border. Tsepkalo could sit in the car and a forest trail moved to Russia. Even if the border with Europe would now be opened, it could hold up guards, and at the airport to detain him not.
