Lukashenko commented on Western speculation about ‘political prisoners’
The leaders of the 2020 protests must answer to the people they fooled – as stated by President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko in an interview with BBC journalist Steve Rosenberg that took place on October 23rd on the side-lines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan
“Hear me out at last, if you want to. Even with 80 percent support, I have not had ballots found around the corner or under the porch like in America. As for ‘why not free’ — we have a law. If a person realises their guilt, they appeal to the President with a request for pardon, as in many other countries. If such an appeal comes, I will definitely consider it. And why do you single out Kolesnikova if you say I have ‘millions of such prisoners’? Her father visited her, and we even showed footage of him meeting her. If any other relatives want to visit, we will consider it. But there may be such a family there that they are not interested in visiting this Maria Kolesnikova. You care about her more than her family and friends,” the Head of State told a BBC reporter concerned about the fate of one of the activists of the 2020 protests.
At the same time, Aleksandr Lukashenko noted, “However, even if you apply, we will consider your application. But the answer – positive or negative – will come later. That’s why I am categorically against the fact that you start singling out personalities. And if there’s a ‘million’ of such prisoners there, they’re all the same. Maria Kolesnikova and others must answer to these people: why they turned out to be in prison. Many of them say they have been deceived by these very ‘leaders’ you are talking about. And you raise the question of releasing them. Are the others not the same people?”
The Belarusian leader stressed that the issue of possible amnesty will be decided based on the behaviour of the detainee, rather than their name.
“If a person has used a chance to mend their way, if they do not violate the law in a penal colony, if there are health issues, we will most likely pardon these people. We have a commission that will consider and make appropriate decisions. This task was set three days ago before the commission headed by Prosecutor General Shved: to look at these people, together with the prison authorities, and see maybe someone deserves it. Three such amnesties have already taken place. I am inclined to ensure that people who have realised, understood and do not violate the order there, behaving in a decent way, expect that we will consider these issues. But this will happen without the West, without you. You are of no importance to me in terms of releasing my people,” the Head of State stressed.
