Expert: Kozulin likely to strengthen pro-boycott stance

The release of Alexander Kozulin will not improve the condition of the United Pro-Democracy Forces ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections. On the contrary, it could stregnthen the position of those who campaign for the boycott of elections, political commentator Yury Chavusau said in an interview with the European Radio for Belarus. “His release is a possible source of destabilization, because we know Mr. Kozulin as an impulsive politician. I would not rule out that the release of Kozulin now would strengthen those democrats who call for elections boycott”.

In the view of the expert, by having freed Alexander Kozulin, the authorites pursue two goals: a significant number of oppositionists will support boycott; secondly, through the release of political prisoners, the official Minsk will improve relations with the West.