MINSK, 21 February (BelTA) – Participants of destructive Telegram channels, who believe it is impossible to find out their identity in the Internet, are mistaken. Belarusian Internal Affairs Minister Ivan Kubrakov made the statement on the air of the TV channel STV, BelTA has learned.
The official said: “At present the current situation all over the country is fully controlled by personnel of law enforcement agencies. One can confidently say that provocateurs can only make some fake threats online and so on. We've considered absolutely all the options. We control the situation not only in streets of our country but in the Internet, too. We immediately respond to even slightest offences directed primarily at members of polling station commissions.”
In his words, participants of destructive Telegram channels, who believe it is impossible to find out their identity in the Internet, are mistaken. “So far we've apprehended a number of participants of destructive channels, who intended to stage a provocation during the referendum. Some face administrative charges while other ones face criminal charges and have been arrested. We've simply had a preventive talk with some other ones,” the internal affairs minister said. “If participants of destructive channels think that police personnel haven't showed up at their door because we don't know who they are, they are mistaken. They simply represent no threat for now. If we see some action, we will very professionally and promptly respond to them.”
2021 saw 680 criminal cases opened on charges of destructive actions. “Virtually all the people suspected of having committed grave crimes have been identified. Certain work is in progress now. As we promised in 2020, we will reach every one and we will find every one,” Ivan Kubrakov added.
