US Ambassador to visit beaten youth activist in hospital
U.S. Ambassador in Minsk Karen Stewart is today expected to pay a personal visit to Zmitser Khvedaruk, a youth activist who was yesterday beaten by police during an opposition action in the Belarusian capital. Some embassy staff yesterday tried to visit the youngster but were told that visiting hours were over.
The U.S. Information Center in Minsk today hosted a news conference by U.S. Ambassador Karen Stewart who condemned the Belarusian goverment's actions to disperse a peaceful protest on October Square in the Belarusian capital.
“Before I begin, I would like to condemn the actions of the authorities against a peaceful demonstration. Yesterday, Zmitser Khvedaruk was heavily beaten by policemen. He is currently in a hospital, and we will keep trying to meet with him".
The European Radio for Belarus asked Ambassador Stewart why the embassy staff failed to have an appointment with Khvedaruk and whether the ambassador would try personally to meet with the pro-democracy activist.
"Two diplomats from our embassy tried to visit Zmitser yesterday. However, they were told that it was not a proper time for appointments. Our staff talked to Zmitser's mother and his friends. We will indeed try to meet with him in the afternoon or in the evening during the proper visiting hours".
The ambassador also stressed that she did not believe that the yesterday's action was dispersed because of the recent visit by pro-democracy leaders from Belarus to the White House:
“At the moment, I don't think that the people had to suffer because they visited Washington. In my opinion, this happened due to the same reason why we invited them to Washington: they are very active democratic leaders and activists".
The U.S. Information Center in Minsk today hosted a news conference by U.S. Ambassador Karen Stewart who condemned the Belarusian goverment's actions to disperse a peaceful protest on October Square in the Belarusian capital.
“Before I begin, I would like to condemn the actions of the authorities against a peaceful demonstration. Yesterday, Zmitser Khvedaruk was heavily beaten by policemen. He is currently in a hospital, and we will keep trying to meet with him".
The European Radio for Belarus asked Ambassador Stewart why the embassy staff failed to have an appointment with Khvedaruk and whether the ambassador would try personally to meet with the pro-democracy activist.
"Two diplomats from our embassy tried to visit Zmitser yesterday. However, they were told that it was not a proper time for appointments. Our staff talked to Zmitser's mother and his friends. We will indeed try to meet with him in the afternoon or in the evening during the proper visiting hours".
The ambassador also stressed that she did not believe that the yesterday's action was dispersed because of the recent visit by pro-democracy leaders from Belarus to the White House:
“At the moment, I don't think that the people had to suffer because they visited Washington. In my opinion, this happened due to the same reason why we invited them to Washington: they are very active democratic leaders and activists".
