Belarus opposition figure decides to stay abroad

Publisher	Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Publication Date	5 November 2012
Cite as	Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Belarus opposition figure decides to stay abroad, 5 November 2012, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/509b8b1b23.html [accessed 23 May 2013]
Disclaimer	This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

November 05, 2012

By RFE/RL's Belarus Service

WARSAW – The former press secretary of a Belarusian opposition presidential candidate has decided to stay abroad.

Alyaksandr Atrashchankau worked for Andrey Sannikau during his presidential campaign in 2010.

Atrashchankau told RFE/RL on November 5 that he decided not to return to Belarus after taking part in an international conference in Warsaw.

Atrashchankau's statement comes days after Sannikau told RFE/RL he received political asylum in Britain.

In the 2010 election, official results showed Sannikau came in second behind authoritarian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka.

Both Atrashchankau and Sannikau were arrested the vote and sentenced to multiyear prison terms on charges of organizing mass disturbances.

Atrashchankau was pardoned and released in September, 2011.

Sannikau was pardoned and released in April this year.