Lukashenko announced the absence of political prisoners in Belarus
Quick Look
- President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said that there are no political prisoners in the country, since there is no corresponding article in the legislation.
- He responded to statements from citizens who fled the country and rejected accusations of continued repression after the release of prisoners.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Lukashenko denies the existence of political prisoners in Belarus, arguing that there is no article in the country's legislation providing for such punishment. This statement was made in response to criticism from citizens who fled the country and international organizations.
President Alexander Lukashenko said that there are no political prisoners in Belarus in response to statements by its citizens who have left the country. His words from a meeting with US Special Envoy for Belarus John Cole are reported by BelTA.
“There was a lot of talk before our meeting here about the release of, as you call them, political prisoners. Although I once again urge you not to be misled. There are no political prisoners in Belarus, because there is no such article in our legislation,” Lukashenko said.
The President of Belarus rejected statements that after the release of prisoners, he, allegedly continuing repressions, sends twice as many people in their place. He also noted that certain people can be detained and brought to justice only if they violate Belarusian laws.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The United States and its allies will continue to publicly criticize Lukashenko’s position on the issue of political prisoners
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What specific laws apply to people detained for political activity?
- How many people are actually imprisoned in cases related to the expression of political views?
- Which international organizations recognize the presence of political prisoners in Belarus?
