Lukashenko explains why opposition leader Statkevich sent back to prison
Self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko (photo: Getty Images)
Self-proclaimed president of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko commented on the situation surrounding political prisoner Mikola Statkevich, who refused to leave the country after being released. He confirmed that the opposition figure was "taken back" to prison, Lukashenko said during a meeting with propagandists, pro-government historians, and experts.
According to Lukashenko, at the time of release, Statkevich "was already on the edge" and could "soon have died, God forbid, in prison."
"So why was this needed? He wants to be a leader. He went there, as if to a neutral zone, crossed over to the Lithuanians, and the guys asked: 'Do you want to go to Belarus? You'll go back to prison…' (Statkevich replied – ed.): 'I'll go to prison.' Well, fine. They took him. They couldn't just leave him. After all, he is our man," he said.
At the same time, the Belarusian president did not specify precisely where Statkevich was taken.
Release of political prisoners in Belarus
On September 11, the Belarusian regime led by Alexander Lukashenko decided to release 52 political prisoners, including journalists and political opponents of Lukashenko.
This happened after an appeal from US President Donald Trump. In response, the United States lifted sanctions on the state-owned airline of Belarus.
All those released were taken to the border with Lithuania, but opposition figure Mikola Statkevich refused to leave Belarus.
Later, it became known that Statkevich, who refused deportation to Lithuania, was returned to a correctional colony.
