The former high representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, has urged the Spanish citizenry to "become aware" of the reality that Belarus is going through in light of the "repression" exercised by Aleksandr Lukashenko.
The politician delivered this message during a press conference held at the La Toja Atlantic Link Forum, which is taking place this week in the Pontevedra town of O Grove.
This Saturday, Borrell spoke alongside the leader of the Belarusian democratic opposition, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, at a round table dedicated to the situation in the country. In his speech, he denounced the "unlimited and unscrupulous repression" that Lukashenko exercises "because he knows he has the big Russian brother who will cover his back."
Furthermore, he demanded that the Spanish Government maintain and update the support it offers to the opposition in Belarus, which, as he recalled, "won the elections" although the dictator "did not recognize the result."
In this context, he also referred to Sergei Tikhanovsky, the main opponent and husband of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who was imprisoned for 5 years.
For her part, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya described the current situation in her country as a "hidden occupation" by Russia, noting that around 900 political prisoners still remain, despite the dictatorship releasing about 500.
The opposition leader emphasized that, in her opinion, the future of Belarus is closely linked to that of Ukraine and reiterated her confidence that democracy can soon return to her country.