"Norway condemns the detention of Alexander Milinkevich and three other leading opposition politicians in Minsk today", Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg says. "We cannot accept that Belarus authorities block the country's freedom of assembly and expression. Accordingly, Norway expects the immediate release of Mr. Milinkevich and the other persons", the Prime Minister says.

Mr. Milinkevich was jailed for having organised an alleged illegal demonstration in Minsk on Wednesday evening, and has been administratively sentenced to 15 days in jail.

"I discussed political freedom with Mr. Milinkevich when he visited Oslo on 20 April", says the Prime Minister. "Also on that background we condemn the detention", he says.

"Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre will discuss this matter with his colleagues at the meeting of NATO's foreign ministers in Sofia today", says Mr. Stoltenberg, stressing that Norway will continue its active support for the democratic movement in Belarus.