The Position of the National Anti-Crisis Management (NAM) in Response to the Comment by a BELPOL Representative Regarding the Situation with Anzhelika Melnikova

Following the publication of a comment by a BELPOL representative regarding the disappearance of Anzhelika Melnikova, as reported by Zerkalo, we reached out to the publication requesting that it publish the position of the National Anti-Crisis Management. Our position was published in an abridged form. We believe it is important to share the full version:

"We highly value the effectiveness and dedication of such an important initiative for the Belarusian democratic movement as BELPOL.

In all of our bilateral meetings with partners and in public communications — including with foreign media — we have repeatedly emphasized that this initiative makes a significant contribution to our shared goal: changing the situation in Belarus.

At the same time, we are disappointed by the statements made by one of BELPOL's representatives, who claimed that those who brought Anzhelika Melnikova should have vetted her.

In response to this claim, we would like to clarify that Anzhelika Melnikova was vetted by the Cyber Partisans initiative, where she served as chairperson of the foundation.

Additionally, at our own initiative, she underwent a background check conducted by BYPOL — the very organization from which BELPOL later emerged.

Anzhelika Melnikova also underwent a polygraph test, organized by BYPOL.

When obtaining Polish citizenship, she was subject to mandatory checks by the Internal Security Agency, Intelligence Agency, Border Guard, Counterintelligence Agency, and Ministry of the Interior of Poland.

Given all of the above, what additional vetting was the NAM team supposed to conduct? We would also like to remind everyone that NAM, like all of our democratic initiatives, is a civilian — not a military — organization.

We hope that Mr. Vladimir Zhigar's comment reflects his personal opinion.

We remain committed to constructive cooperation and the positive working relationship we have established with BELPOL in pursuit of our shared goal.

We call on all our friends and partners: it is essential to stop speculation around a matter so sensitive for all of us.

Let us allow the Polish security services to carry out their investigation within the framework of the criminal case concerning the ‘unlawful deprivation of liberty of Anzhelika Melnikova’ and draw the necessary conclusions.

Sincerely,

Press Office of the National Anti-Crisis Management".

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