The reasons for pardoning those who had previously been convicted of participating in the protests varied. This was announced today, September 10, by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko at a meeting on current domestic political issues and preparation of political campaigns.
“We see that the main thing for them is to get grants and money. They don’t give a damn about anything, not even those issues for which they should really live. Well, let’s take the questions of the so-called political prisoners. Well, how many times has it been said: we don’t have political articles and we haven’t convicted anyone for political articles, because they simply don’t exist? No, “political prisoners”. OK. Well, you are fighting for these “political prisoners”, – said.
The President of Belarus recalled that he had recently announced publicly twice the decision to pardon several dozen so-called political prisoners.
“Well, we would be happy, at least we would be grateful. No, they are concerned about proving to themselves and to the outside world that they made a huge contribution and “forced the dictator” to make such decisions. First of all, no one can force me. This is out of the question. I often tell journalists and other people: you know me well, I have never made decisions under orders or pressure,” the Belarusian leader said.
According to him, the pardon was due to several reasons.
“Someone got sick, someone can no longer go for a walk there, unlike how they walked briskly along the avenues here. Well, anything can happen in life. Some people no longer pose any threat. Someone went completely crazy, their brains went into a spin and they went out (in 2020 – EADaily), tried to dump something on the streets of Minsk. Well, anything has happened in life. We saw people like that. Why keep them there and feed them at the expense of the state? Oh, we let them go. Here they are under the complete control of law enforcement agencies,” – Lukashenko said.
He also said that instead of thanking him, the opposition members abroad, on the contrary, are not happy with this development.
“They are not happy that these people have left. Why are you not happy? Well, the Americans and others say to them: guys, where have you been, what is your contribution? But none. So there is no money, I mean, they rightly pointed out, especially the journalists: the more there is someone here in not so remote places, the better for them. Well, we have to talk to them openly about this.” – Lukashenko said.
Recall that following the suppression of protests that broke out in Belarus after the 2020 presidential election, a purge of radical elements began in the republic. As a result, many opposition members ended up behind bars. At the end of August, Lukashenko pardoned several dozen of them.
