Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, ignoring international calls to release the country's political prisoners, suggested they take part in dealing with the consequences from the powerful storm that recently hit parts of the country, reported Reuters, quoted by BTA.
„Before everyone starts posting on the Internet, take out an ax or a saw and help”, Lukashenko said. “I have already told the interior minister. He knows we have more than 20,000 prisoners. And so-called political prisoners. To send them to do the clearing. Mobilize the inhabitants of the cities and especially these parasites”, added the Belarusian president.
Lukashenko has long dismissed accusations that he violates human rights in the country, but in the past week he has faced calls from Nobel laureates and UN experts to release most of the country's political prisoners, estimated at around 1,400.
Lukashenko staged a massive crackdown to quell protests by demonstrators who accused him of rigging the 2020 presidential election.