here and now №1 13.07.2000 (2000)

The news item was the announcement of the date of the elections to the Parliament of Belarus.

In this regard, the deputies of the State Duma of the Russian Federation sent an official appeal to President Alexander Lukashenko, calling for truly democratic elections.

The video link 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, including the media.

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

Mikhail Chigir was convicted of abuse of power as Prime Minister.

He talks about the existing political persecution in Belarus, connects his arrest with the choice of a political career and the decision to run for the Parliament of Belarus.