Lukashenka took side of suspects for murders in Lithuania

Articles under such titles were published in today’s Lithuanian newspapers. Belarus refuses to extradite to Lithuania people suspected in organising and participation in events of January 13, 1991, “Lietuvos zinios” writes.

During the visit to Lithuania Alyaksandr Lukashenka said to journalists that he hadn’t received any proofs of the suspects’ guilt. However in the case relating events of January 13, 1991 there are documents that confirm the fact that the Prosecutor General Office of Lithuania offered Belarus all the necessary documents and the request for extradition of the suspects in 1992. Then agreement on cooperation was reached. Lithuania received Mykolas Burokevičius and Juozas Jermalavičius, but that seemed to be the end of cooperation, ru.DELFI.lt quotes the article from “Lietuvos zinios”.

Since that time, the newspaper writes, lots of documents were sent to Belarus, including requests for extradition of the suspects, and requests to interrogate witnesses, and requests to hand in writs. Negative answers were received to them or no answers at all.

During the visit to Lithuania Lukashenka stated that the Lithuanian side is to offer materials, then this issue would be discussed in Belarus. “After the visit we sent one more request, but received no answer. We should remind about that apparently,” Prosecutor General of Lithuania Rolandas Tilindis said to “Lietuvos zinios”.

Prosecutor Algimantas Kliunka said to journalists that the investigation of evens of January 13 had been finished, however he didn’t conceal that Lithuania is unlikely to receive suspects.

The Belarusian officials have sent a notification that they cannot extradite people who are persecuted on political motives, they refuse to interrogate witnesses as they could be turned into suspects.

The Interpol has also refused to continue search of suspects, explaining that by the fact that it is a political case. Actually, many participants of the events are charged with an attempt to seize the power. Belarus answers to that: laws of the Soviet Union were in force then, so these people were implementing the law, and now they are persecuted. However, “Lietuvos zinios” writes, the major part of the suspects are charged with criminal offence as well, in murders.

“They are suspected of murders and injuring people. What kind of politics is in that? They were shooting in peaceful, armless people, with tanks,” prosecutor Kastytis Betingis is indignant.

Prosecutors note that suspects are not allowed to visit the EU countries.

“However it would be much better for us if they cold leave Belarus and Russia to some EU country. There could be a hope they would be extradited to Lithuania,” Prosecutor Kliunka said.

Lithuanian mass media report about 10 suspects of crimes during the events of January 1991 in Vilnius, who were hiding or are still hiding in Belarus. One of them is the former deputy Defence Minster of Belarus General Uladzimir Uskhopchyk. For many years he is on wanted list of Lithuanian prosecutor’s office for involvement to civilians’ massacre. In January 1991 Uskhopchyk was a commander of Vilnius garrison, and his soldiers killed fighters for independence of Lithuania.

Starting from 1992, representatives of the prosecutor’s office of Lithuania, regularly demanded Belarusian authorities to extradite Uskhopchyk. But instead of surrendering the suspect to the authorities of the country in which he is charged with commitment of numerous crimes, including grave ones, Alyaksandar Lukashenka appointed Uskhopchyk deputy defense minister in May 2004. On February 23, 2004 Uskhopchyk was awarded “For service to Motherland” order.