here and now 07/13/2000 (2000)

The information reason was the announcement of the date of the election to the Parliament of Belarus.

In this connection, the State Duma deputies sent an official appeal to President Alexander Lukashenko in which they called for real democratic elections.

Video communication with Mikhail Chigir is conducted from Minsk.

Mikhail Chigir represents the opposition party and talks about the president's monopoly in the country, which extends to all areas, in particular the media.

During the broadcast, a comparative example of similar situations is given: in Russia - persecution of the management of the Media Most holding, in Belarus - accusations of Mikhail Chigir in financial theft.

Mikhail Chigir was convicted of abuse of authority as prime minister.

He talks about the existing political persecution in Belarus, links his arrest to the choice of political career and the decision to run for the Belarusian parliament.