Two short-term observers of the OSCE’s PA mission to Belarus have been denied visas by the authorities, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports, quoting the mission’s head Matteo Mecacci.

The Belarusian MFA refused to issue visas to two MPs from Lithuania and Germany.

“I am disappointed to hear that two members of our delegation were not allowed to enter Belarus to observe the upcoming parliamentary elections. I hope to receive an exhaustive explanation on this issue from the authorities to make sure that the atmosphere for the upcoming Election Observation Mission will remain calm and so that our work can continue without restrictions or limitations, as stated in our invitation to observe the elections,” Mecacci said in a statement, quoted by the charter97.org web-site.