Ольга Карпушонок. Фото: t.me/rada_vision
The Hopits Bayatstsa faction has decided to withdraw delegate Olga Karpushonok from the delegation of Belarusian democratic forces, which includes members of the Coordination Council in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
The decision was made in accordance with the regulations governing the Coordination Council’s delegation to PACE and is linked to Karpushonok’s failure to participate in the delegation’s work, the Council said in a statement.
The faction reaffirmed its commitment to the “principles of responsible representation and effective participation in international platforms.”
“All members of the delegation must actively participate in PACE’s work, represent the interests of the Coordination Council and Belarusian society, and contribute to strengthening ties with European partners,” the faction said.
On August 30, third-term Coordination Council member and PACE delegate from democratic Belarus Olga Karpushonok accused Pavel Latushka of sexual harassment in a Facebook post. She also claimed to have cooperated with Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), saying this was the reason for her move to Poland, where she reportedly began working with the National Anti-Crisis Management (NAU).
Pavel Latushka issued a statement rejecting the allegations, saying he was prepared to take a polygraph test and describing the accusations as the work of Belarusian security services.
It also became known that Karpushonok had filed a complaint against Latushka with the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Theodoros Rousopoulos.
The letter, dated September 3, was sent to PACE on Coordination Council letterhead (a copy was obtained by Reform.news). Latushka said Karpushonok’s actions, including her complaint to the PACE president, were aimed at dismantling the Coordination Council. He has filed a lawsuit with the Warsaw District Court seeking protection of honor and dignity.