Aleh Alkaeu: “It’s time to pass sentences in political abductions”

The author of the book Firing Squad says Europe’s interest in high-profile political abductions in Belarus has increased.

The Polish TV channel TVP Info showed a programme with Aleh Alkaeu, the author of Firing Squad, as a guest. Alkaeu told in an interview to Radio Racyja interest in Belarus and disappeared Belarusian politicians is rather high. Moreover, a significant part of Polish politicians have an opportunity to read Firing Squad in Polish.

– The most acute and interesting question that worries western journalists is whether Lukashenka can really be called guilty of disappearance of politicians and a journalist.

– Those who read the book can find that Lukashenka is not accused in the first part. But it is unless he released Dzmitry Paulichenka, having been detained on absolutely lawful grounds. So, a person who defends a criminal, who is 90% guilty, becomes an accomplice.

– Is there an uncontrolled group or a squad close to the head of the country? Abductions of youth activists are meant.

– Lukashenka cannot have full control over repressive punitive bodes. Only one visible part is under control. Officers of law-enforcement bodies and secret services begin to understand they can make a career not only by detaining criminals, but also by detaining oppositionists. If any officer read the code before detention, we wouldn’t have such an outrageous situation. But law-enforcement officer do not read the law, but look into the eyes of their commanders that have little to express.

– The businessmen from Vaukavysk were detained a year ago. What are perspectives of the case?

– I admire these former army officers who haven’t surrendered. Let the court define the decree of their guilt. The trial should be open, it is important. I don’t think Autukhovich would defend himself in such a way, if there were no grounds for this. What to the case, there are a lot of controversial moments. I do not believe they committed a crime. I wish the businessmen strength and patience. They should remember the whole world is watching the proceeding. If the Belarusian authorities followed the law, the case wouldn’t evoke such a wide response.

– Can you tell about the next part of the book, your plans?

– This is being discussed now. The problem is that I’d like not to announce some moments. This is caused by security of the people who agreed to give information. Under the contract, the book will be published by December. A working title of the book is Sentence. Readers should come to a conclusion it’s time to pass a sentence. On whom? The book gives it to understand. Guilt of every person is showed in details. However, I describe only the four high-profile crimes.