Latushka: Lukashenka categorically refused the US request to allow released political prisoners to stay in Belarus

Political prisoners released on December 13. Photo: Lookby.media

Pavel Latushka claims that during negotiations with Lukashenka, the American side asked to give the released individuals the right to choose — to leave or to stay in the country. According to the politician, this position was advocated by US Special Representative for Belarus, John Cole.

— I hope that US diplomats will still manage to defend this position when considering the release of subsequent groups of political prisoners. I don't know what arguments the American side might use — that's for them to decide, — Latushka noted. — But we also perfectly understand that Lukashenka is making certain concessions due to the pressure exerted by both the US and the European Union on the regime. And this pressure is primarily sanction-based.

According to the deputy head of the UTC, Lukashenka's refusal effectively means the forced expulsion of opponents and the deprivation of Belarusians' basic constitutional rights.

— Today, we are witnessing the Lukashenka regime's open policy of deporting the disloyal part of Belarus's civil society, depriving them of the right to choose their place of residence, — the politician emphasized.

Olga Zazulinskaya, the UTC representative for social policy, spoke about the legal uncertainty in which former prisoners found themselves. According to her, despite the pardon, the system within the country continues to operate incoherently, and at times, absurdly.

— A few days ago, KGB officers came to the parents of one of the released and expelled individuals and offered [him] to return to Belarus and serve 15 years. When his mother told them that they were the ones who had expelled him, they replied that her son had escaped from the penal colony, — Zazulinskaya reported.

The Cabinet representative noted that the legal status of the released individuals remains unclear. The certificates issued to them do not specify the reasons for their release.

Zazulinskaya also announced the amounts spent on supporting 123 people who were released on December 13. According to the report of the International Humanitarian Fund, the total expenses for the first month amounted to 211,615 euros.

The main expenditure items were distributed as follows:

• food — 66,199 euros;
• housing — 60,862 euros;
• clothing — 37,619 euros;
• equipment — 13,867 euros;
• hygiene products — 10,470 euros;
• financial aid — 8,070 euros.

— We see how many funds from the International Humanitarian Fund were spent in one month of initial aid. This amount does not include contributions from Freedom House, Pavel Latushka's personal contribution, contributions from volunteers, BYSOL, the Belarusian Human Rights House, "Viasna", Libereco. These organizations have their own resources — financial and human, — emphasized the UTC representative.

She added that the next step will be to rent permanent housing for the people, provide their treatment, psychological rehabilitation, and purchase not only winter but also spring clothing.

Veronika Stankevich, coordinator of the Volnyja initiative, spoke about the living conditions in which former political prisoners are currently staying in Warsaw.

— Currently, the entire group resides in a hotel, with the exception of those who have already moved in with relatives — they adapted better and found their own accommodation. Some of the people who remained in Warsaw are also already living in shelters. And by January 20, the entire group will be settled in separate housing, which will also be compensated by funds from the International Humanitarian Fund, — Stankevich explained.

According to her, all released individuals now have mentors who help with adaptation and socialization. The work is conducted not individually with each person, but in groups of 4-5 people.

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