Candidate in parliamentary by-election in Grodno accuses government-backed rival of bribing voters

2005-03-14 10:45:00

Minsk, 14 March. Sergei Antusevich, a member of the Belarusian Popular Front (BPF) who runs for parliament in a repeat election in Grodno, has complained to the election authorities and prosecutors, accusing his government-backed rival of attempting to bribe voters. Sergei Maskevich, rector of Grodno State University who appears to be enjoying government support in the race, last week arranged two admission-free comedy shows at dormitories of the Grodno Azot state-run fertilizer plant, the BPF press office reported. All those attending the concerts were reportedly told that the shows were "Mr. Maskevich's present" to them.