“Quite possible”: Lukashenka in an interview with BBC admitted that migrants were helped to cross the border with Poland
- Steve Rosenberg
- BBC, Minsk
Alexander Lukashenko meets with BBC correspondent Steve Rosenberg at the presidential palace
The authoritarian leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, said in an interview with the BBC that it is “quite possible” that “someone” in Belarus helped migrants to get to Poland, but denies that they were specially invited.
Thousands of migrants, mainly from the Middle East, have been trying to get to the EU through Belarus for several months. Earlier this week, the Belarusian authorities took them out of the spontaneous camp on the border with Poland to temporary housing, set up on the site of a large warehouse.
Inside a refuge for migrants near the border of Poland and Belarus
The EU, NATO and the US have accused the Belarusian leader of luring migrants to the borders of false promises in the EU in order to destabilize the situation in the region. This is what Alexander Lukashenko replied to the question whether this is so.
“Ours are helping them to get to Polish territory, right? Listen, it’s quite possible. If you don’t want it, don’t need it. I didn’t invite them here.
Photo author, Getty Images
Mass protests against the results of the presidential election led to the detention, torture, beatings and departure of protesters to other countries due to fear for their lives
Thousands of protesters and opposition activists were detained last summer.
According to the announced results of the presidential elections held on August 9, 2020, Tikhanovskaya won just over 10% of the vote, taking second place. According to her supporters and a number of analysts, the voting results were falsified, but in fact, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya won significantly more votes than announced by the Central Election Commission, and should be considered the country’s elected president.
Photo author, Reuters
Lukashenko has been in power since 1994, but his re-election to the presidency last year was accompanied by mass protests, arrests of opponents and falsifications, was not recognized by the European Union.
Tikhanovskaya’s team condemned the BBC for an interview with Alexander Lukashenko, calling it “providing a platform for the dictator to speak out.”
The BBC correspondent asked Alyaksandr Lukashenka about the beatings of peaceful protesters, and also wanted him a video showing people leaving the notorious detention center on Akrestsin Street in Minsk with injuries sustained as a result of torture.
“Don’t, don’t. I admit it, I admit it, ”Lukashenka replied. “And in Akrestsin they were beaten by him.
Photo author, EPA
This is a photo of a Belarusian demonstrator who left the Akrestin prison.
I asked him about how he destroyed civil society, including closing 270 NGOs since July.
“I’m answering your question, don’t bother.
The EU believes that Lukashenka is responsible for the crisis on the border of Poland, Lithuania and Latvia that unfolded in recent months. In this way, it is believed that he is taking revenge on the West for the sanctions imposed after the brutal suppression of protests.
Up to 5 thousand migrants are still in Belarus, although several hundred flew on a special flight to Iraqi Kurdistan on Thursday.
