Exiled Belarusian opposition chief Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has urged the Polish authorities to not shut border crossings between the 2 international locations.
“It’s important to maintain Belarusians linked to Europe,” she stated in a submit on X, including that folks couldn’t be left “behind the brand new Iron Curtain.”
Earlier on Sunday, Poland’s overseas minister stated Warsaw was contemplating closing its remaining border checkpoints with Belarus to stem unlawful immigration.
Poland says Belarus has been encouraging individuals from the Center East and Africa to journey to Belarus after which cross illegally into Poland.
In 2021, EU accuses Belarusian authoritarian chief Alexander Lukashenko promote influx Sanctions in retaliation.
Poland has closed 4 of six checkpoints on its border with Belarus in current weeks.
Polish Overseas Minister Radoslaw Sikorski stated on Sunday: “We’re contemplating closing all border crossings as a consequence of Belarus’ actions. At present, we’re finding out the query of whether or not it will have an effect on the Polish financial system.”
“Strikes to limit border visitors because of the regime’s continued provocations ought to be directed on the dictator, not the individuals. We can’t go away Belarusians to their destiny behind the brand new Iron Curtain,” Ms. Tikhanovskaya wrote within the submit.
She was referring to the geographical divisions of Europe cold war Relations between Western international locations and international locations related to or influenced by the Soviet Union.
In 2020, Tikhanovskaya ran towards Lukashenko within the presidential election and have become a logo of the opposition. her husband was jailed By the regime.
She claimed victory within the polls, which have been broadly believed to be rigged, however was pressured to flee into exile in Lithuania together with her kids the day after the vote.
She was later sentenced in absentia to fifteen years in jail for treason and conspiracy to grab energy.