Minsk not to complicate relations with Western capitals by persecuting former candidate Mikhalevich

The Belarusian authorities have briefly detained ex-presidential candidate Ales Mikhalevich, who returned to Belarus from the exile. Official Minsk does not want to complicate the emerging positive process of normalization in Belarusian-European relations by imprisoning former 2010 presidential candidate. Mikhalevich said nothing yet about his plans regarding returning to politics and his arrival to Belarus is unlikely to affect the pre-election alignment in the opposition. Nevertheless, he might become more active in the opposition politics after the presidential campaign in Belarus, which will certainly depend on the authorities’ actions after the elections. In particular, bearing in mind not yet closed criminal case against Mikhalevich.