Generals Suspected In Crimes Rewarded With Insignia By Lukashenka :: Charter'97 :: News

On February 23 at the reception on the occasion of the Defender of the Fatherland Day Alyaksandar Lukashenka rewarded lieutenant-general Uladzimir Uskhopchyk (Vladimir Uskhopchik) an order “For Service to Homeland” of the 1rst degree. Uladzimir Uskhopchyk received this high award for “long conscientious service in the Military Forces, a model doing of a soldier’s duty and high personal progress in service”. The head of state noted that he is a real general devoted to the Belarusian people and his soldier`s duty. Though he is finishing his service, he is to continue to serve to his Homeland, President emphasized. Let us remind that General Uskhopchyk had been looked for for many years by the Lithuanian Prosecutor’s office. In 1991 Uskhopchyk headed the Vilnius-based division of Soviet troops that stormed the city`s television tower in January 1991, killing 14 unarmed civilians, defenders of the Lithuanian independence. Vilnius accuses Uskhopchyk of being a principle at the January 1991 massacre in Vilnius.

Belarusian president also conferred a decoration “For Personal Courage” to the Internal Affairs Minister, major-general of police Uladzimir Navumaw (Vladimir Naumov) “for bravery revealed by detention of a criminal and release of a hostage”. Uladzimir Navumaw is in the list of the high state officials suspected of involvement in abductions of the well-known Belarusian politicians: Viktar Hanchar, Yuri Zakharanka, Anatol Krasowsky and Zmitser Zavadsky.