THE CANADIAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRES DEMANDS TO RELEASE THE CANADIAN JOURNALIST DETAINED IN BELARUS

29.03.2006.

according to CBC News (Canada)
The Canadian Minister of Foreign Affaires Peter McCay demanded to release the Canadian journalist Frederick Lavoie form "La Presse" who is detained in Belarus. On March 27 Mr. McCay met the Belarusian ambassador in Canada and demanded to release Frederick Lavoie and let him leave the country.
According to CBC News, 22-year-old Frederick Lavoie was detained on Friday "while covering the meeting in Minsk". (Probably he was present during the assault of the campground at Kastrychnitskaja Square on the night of March 24). On March 24 he stood trial and was sentenced to 15 days of detention. Before the election Frederick Lavoie came to BAJ because he was interested in the problems of Belarusian mass media. He has a good command of Russian.
According to CBC News, Minister McCay discussed the presidential election with the Belarusian ambassador. The head of the Ministry of foreign Affairs "condemned the total neglect of democratic principles during the election on March 19". "The election was not free ", - is said in the statement. Mr. Mc.Cay also claimed that Canada would limit its diplomatic relations with Belarus to human rights and international security.

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