Death Squads Are Real Says Anatoly Lebedko :: Charter'97 :: News

Belarusian opposition, following its defeat in the presidential ballot, doesn’t seem to give up its efforts. Recently the Vice-Speaker of the Supreme Soviet, head of the United Civil party Anatoly Lebedko made an unofficial visit to Belarus. Following you may read his exclusive interview to the newspaper “Segodnya”.

- The findings of the international observers are clear: the results of the presidential elections in Belarus have been rigged. How serious were the violations, which you personally took note of?

- Lukashenko embarked on his election agitation long before the campaign officially began – two years (!) before the voting date, when one of his main challengers, UCP member Gennady Karpenko passed away. Afterwards there disappeared two more potential candidates from our party – former Interior Minister general Zakharenko and first deputy Supreme Soviet chair Viktor Gonchar. During the election campaign, there emerged new evidence that they shot them with the pistol, used to execute those on death row. There exist copies of protocols on the gun’s issue, confirmed by the witnesses – law-enforcement agents…

Recently Lukashenko declared that a few thousand criminal leaders visited him, claiming that they all voted for him. This happened after Lukashenko ordered to annihilate a few main gangsters, in particular the one, whose nickname was Schavlik…

Currently they are investigating into the disappearance of the ORT cameraman Dmitry Zavadsky. A few Lukashenko’s security service men are key figurants in the process. However, this is but a mere search for the scapegoats, rather than those, who indeed ordered to abduct the newspaper man.

- How true is the information on the existence of the so-called “death squad”, which allegedly kidnaps and slays those who fall into Lukashenko’s disfavor? Some say that they buried oppositionists somewhere under the asphalt and that people prefer not to walk across these places in Minsk…

- “Death squad” is a reality. Unfortunately, 60 pages of documents presented to us leave no doubt about the physical annihilation of our colleagues. However, we prefer not to say this in open at home for the sake of the relatives of the disappeared…

- In Ukraine there are politicians who quite openly support Lukashenko, claiming the life is better in Belarus…

- Lukashenko has got a strategic ally in Ukraine – communists and Mrs.Vitrenko. Petro Simonenko quite frequently appeared in the spotlight of attention on BT during the presidential campaign too. He twice visited Belarus. They also invited Zouganov and Zhirinovsky of Russia. These folks make up a PR team for Lukashenko’s promotion… I guess, if Simonenko and Vitrenko claim victory at the forthcoming parliamentary elections, this will only lead your country to the economic and political disaster. According to its today’s level of development Ukraine is 7-8 years ahead of Belarus in all aspects. So good life in Belarus is just another myth, concocted by Lukashenko’s regime.

- But the nation is supportive of him anyway!

- You see, the welfare of 80% of them depends only on Lukashenko. He is the one who decides when and to whom they should pay salaries and pensions…

- Despite the regime, there also exists opposition in Minsk. For instance, you have an opportunity to come here and mix up with the journalists…

- Ours is a “kind dictatorship”. True enough, there will never be any concentration camps in Belarus but we still have political prisoners. It takes one day to bring to justice anyone, especially the director of some large company. Recently it has been publicly announced that procuracy intends to launch 700 criminal proceedings. Lukashenko didn’t like the may the nomenclature behaved during the presidential race.

- Don’t you have oligarchs in Belarus, who would be able to influence some of the president’s decisions?

- In Belarus, as different from Ukraine, there’s only one oligarch – Lukashenko. He’s the most affluent person in the whole of Belarus. Even criminal bands have their own laws, but not Lukashenko.

- Belarus is known for being listed among the top ten weapon exporters in the world. Does anyone control this process in your country?

- Oftentimes the arms are sold illicitly. We have every ground to assume that some of the Russian weaponry is illegally sold through our country. Lukashenko actively upholds the contacts with the odious political regimes. On September 11 there happened a tragedy in US and on September 12 the country was visited by a representative of a supreme military brass of Libya. They also collaborate in the sphere with both Iran and Iraq. The state arms market is being controlled exclusively by Lukashenko. Recently the Minister of finance confessed to the deputies that Belarus is selling ammunition. But this money isn’t included into the budget’s profit provisions. We have two parallel budgets: the one, controlled by the Supreme Court, and Lukashenko’s personal accounts, whereto the means acquired from arms sales are being transferred. By the way, Lukashenko spent this money on building ice palaces in all big towns of Belarus. The man loves skating, you know…

- One of the most popular topics in Belarus is Lukashenko’s son’s successful “military career”…

- His son graduated from the international relations department. He never served in the army, but was awarded by his father an honorable state prize for military achievements. By the way, some have come up with an idea to erect the monument to a “living national leader”…

- Aren’t you afraid that after such outspoken criticism they may retaliate you at home?

- Of course, I’m afraid. But I had already gone through all this nightmare and my feelings are no longer so emotion-filled. I served four prison terms. I was beaten at the entrance to my own apartment. That’s the sad stuff that happened… But there are also quite positive features. Two days ago I defeated in court the number one Belarusian TV-killer. That’s a sensation! I’ve no idea what will come out of it, but we won’t halt the struggle anyway. And we count on your support, Ukraine!