Czech Republic ready to grant asylum to Belarusian opposition

PRAGUE, January 11 (Itar-Tass) - The Czech Republic is ready to grant
an asylum to persecuted members of Belarusian opposition.
"The republic is also thinking of significantly reducing the cost of
visas for ordinary Belarusians and intends to join tougher sanctions
against the leaders of Belarus who trample democratic norms and
principles," Czech Interior Minister Radek John told journalists on Monday.
First Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg on Monday
received a delegation of Belarusian opposition members comprising
presidential candidate at the recent elections Alexander Kozulin, Eva
Neklyayeva, a daughter of one of the arrested presidential candidates, and
the ex-chairman of the Supreme Soviet of Belarus Stanislav Shushkevich.
They urged the EU countries to adopt a common firm stance towards the
Belarusian leadership.
"It's necessary to strengthen sanctions aimed against the incumbent
leaders who are tramping democracy," Shushkevich told journalists.
The Czech leadership expressed solidarity with the Belarusian
opposition and demanded a release of all opponents to President Alexander
Lukashenko who were detained during presidential elections in December
last year.