Belarusian Presidential Candidate Tikhanovskaya’s Campaign Chief Detained in Minsk

MINSK (Sputnik) - Maria Moroz, the head of Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya's campaign office, was detained in Minsk on Saturday, the candidate and her close ally, Olga Kovalkova, has confirmed.

"Yes," Tikhanovskaya replied when asked if Moroz was arrested, while Kovalkova said that she was present during the campaign chief’s detention.

Tikhanovskaya’s Telegram channel shared a video of Moroz’s arrest. According to Kovalkova, the reason behind the arrest was not yet known.

Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya on Saturday called on people to eschew violence ahead of the main voting day of the current presidential election.

"Belarusians, [those] in civilian [attire] and [those] in uniform, I implore you to reject violence. We are a peaceful people. Our strength lies in unity and love for pour country, [and] our families. We are the majority, and we do not need blood on the streets of cities," Tikhanovskaya said in a video address posted by her campaign.

She has added that the life of each and every Belarusian is the most precious thing the country has.

"Please, be careful, take care, maintain order and keep calm," Tikhanovskaya said.

The presidential election is scheduled in Belarus for Sunday, with early voting taking place since 4 August. Five candidates are vying for the office, including the incumbent president, Aleksander Lukashenko.