Lukashenko commented on pardoning convicts and reaction of fugitives: they aren’t happy these people were released
It is advantageous for the fugitives to have as many so-called political prisoners in prisons as possible, since this is their way to receive foreign grants – as noted by President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko during today’s meeting focusing on current domestic political issues and preparations for the political campaigns
The Head of State warned the participants of the meeting that the upcoming election campaign will not be easy, “They are already trying to destabilise the situation, pouring new information flows of all kinds of dirt. We clearly see and control everything that is happening outside our country and inside. We see that the main thing for them [the fugitive opponents] is to receive grants and money. They don’t care about anything, even about the issues for which they, actually, should live.”
The President cited the situation with the so-called political prisoners as an example, who – he once again underlined – do not exist in our country, since there are no political articles in Belarusian legislation. At the same time, the fugitives themselves do not even fight for their ‘political prisoners’.
The Belarusian leader recalled that in recent time decisions have been made publicly twice to pardon those convicted of protest-related crimes, not counting private appeals, “I’ve made decisions on dozens of these so-called political prisoners. They [the fugitives] should be happy, they could have thanked me at the very least. No, they are concerned with proving to themselves and those abroad that they have made a huge contribution and forced the ‘dictator to make such decisions’. No one can force me; this is out of the question. I have never made decisions on orders or under pressure; these were solely my decisions.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko said that some of the pardoned are sick, and some are no longer dangerous, “We saw such people. Why keep them there and feed at government expense? We released them, and they are under the full control of law enforcement agencies. So instead of thanking us for solving this problem for them [the fugitives] … they are not happy. We clearly understand that they are not happy that these people were released. Why? The Americans and others asked them [the fugitives] where they have been and what their contribution was. None. Then there is no money! That is, the longer someone stays here in prisoners, the better for them.”
