MINSK, 17 September (BelTA) – Poland and Lithuania would like to present themselves as being involved in the decision to pardon convicts in Belarus, but they have nothing to do with this, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said during a meeting with members of the expert community engaged in ideological work to mark Day of People’s Unity, BelTA has learned.
One of the questions to the head of state related to the pardon of convicted individuals. Belarusian journalist Grigory Azaryonok mentioned attempts by Poland and Lithuania to claim credit for the pardons, alleging that their “pressure” on the Belarusian authorities contributed to the decision. The president was asked whether there was indeed any Polish or Lithuanian involvement in his actions.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said he was aware of Poland’s and Lithuania’s desire to be involved in the release of convicts. In Belarus, their attempts are seen as efforts to gain favor with people inside the country, especially with the relatives and loved ones of those convicted. “They would like to be involved in this. They offered me all sorts of things. But I had to make it clear publicly: I will not be sitting at the table with them, as I am here with you. There is nothing to discuss, yet they wanted it. They wanted it to look like they were involved in the process (involved only in the release, not in taking decision to release),” the head of state said. “They have nothing to do with this and never will.”
The president drew attention to the fact that Belarus has special legal mechanisms for making such decisions. A wide range of factors are taken into account, including personal characteristics, motives, and subsequent repentance for one's actions. “Listen, more than half of them were out of their minds [at the time]. They understand this now. We can already see it. So why keep them there [in detention] for 10-12 years?” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
“We know what each of them is about. Many of those serving sentences have realized what it cost them and condemn those who fled saying: ‘Ah, they ran away, they abandoned us,’” the head of state added.
“Don’t worry, Grigory [Azaryonok], we don’t do such things lightly. We think for a long time, we consider what, where, and how, and we look to the future,” Aleksandr Lukashenko assured. He drew attention to the fact that opponents have already begun preparing for 2030, when the next presidential election is to be held in Belarus. To ensure that this period passes calmly and without destabilization in the country, the president stressed, everyone must work responsibly in their own places, thereby contributing to the overall strengthening of the state’s economy.
According to the head of state, the situation in Belarus will remain stable if “we all work just a little bit better, because the economy is the foundation”. “If we harvest for another couple of years as we did this year [this will also have a positive impact on the economic situation],” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
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