21 January 2011

BELARUS: Lukashenko Backs Off Custody Threat of Imprisoned Opponent's Child.

NYTIMES/ MICHAEL SCHWIRTZ /

   Belarus authorities announced that they won't take custody of Danil Sannikov, the 3-year-old son of an imprisoned opposition leader, ruling that the boy’s grandmother can continue to take care of him.
    Danil Sannikov has been with his grandmother since his parents, former candidate Andrei Sannikov and journalist Irina Khalip, were arrested along with over 600 others in a protest against the victory of President Aleksandr Lukashenko in December.
    “It happened all of a sudden,” said the grandmother Lyutsina Khalip. “They called and told me to come immediately. I don’t know what happened there, but as a result I received this present.”