MINSK, 2 May (BelTA) - Today, the situation in Belarus has stabilized and normalized Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said in an interview with the Euronews TV channel, BelTA learned from the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Today, the situation in Belarus is absolutely normal. It has stabilized and normalized and there are no protests that you mention,” the minister said. “As to those individuals who were detained in the past, I must assure you that they were detained for specific crimes and violations. For example, I do not think that in European Union countries these crimes and violations would be treated differently.”
He cited the examples: “There were eight cases of terrorism linked to attempts to set buildings on fire, to bomb cars, etc. There were 10 cases of railway blockades and a huge number of road blockades. Is this all politically motivated? Or are these clear violations of the laws of the Republic of Belarus: attacks on police officers and the threatening of family members of civil servants and law enforcement officers, including children?”
“All this is subject to criminal punishment in all European countries. We act in the same way in Belarus too,” the minister emphasized.
“So it is not a question of someone being detained unreasonably. Those who have been unjustly detained have been released and are being released. As for those remaining in custody, they are undergoing trial and will be punished in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Belarus,” Vladimir Makei said.
He stressed that he does not represent the Investigation Committee, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “I cannot speak about each specific case. But we can send you the relevant information confirming violations of the law by individuals in each particular case. I can cite some names, Mr. Zenkovich, Mr. Avtukhovich and Mr. Olinevich have been detained for specific acts of terrorism, a coup d'état plot. By the way, the Western media and public opinion have stayed ashamedly silent about this,” the minister said.
Vladimir Makei said that “it is no secret that just a few days ago the special forces of the Republic of Belarus in cooperation with Russian special forces uncovered a plot against the Belarusian authorities including a plan to assassinate the head of state, to intern and eliminate 30 members of government.”
“Why are the Western public opinion and mass media not talking about it? Why is the media in Europe not talking about it?” the minister wondered.
