Lukashenka threatens to send Sannikov and Bandarenka back to prison

“Two hours – and they’re back to prison”, the leader said.

Lukashenka believes that the political prisoners may be released only if they submit an appeal for pardon.

“And those who are still there and who haven’t submitted this appeal to the president, they will stay there. So much for the pressure. Nobody can press me in this matter,” A.Lukashenka told journalists on Saturday, as Interfax-West reports.

The dictator emphasized that ”another attempt to press – and those babblers (Interfax: Andrei Sannikov and Zmitser Bandarenk,), they must be grateful for such a treatment, can get back to prison.” “They must be longing for that”, A.Lukashenka said. According to him, “it would be more honest if they just come to someone and drop a hint, tell them that the freedom is boring: “we are political prisoners, take us back”. “Two hours – and they’re back to prison,” the leader said.

And that is why, he said, “we will not tolerate any pressure.” A.Lukashenka reminded that last year he said under what conditions the condemned oppositionists can be exonerated (Interfax: under submission of an appeal for pardon).

”So this is not about the pressure, that they have been released. Had they not written the appeal, they would still be in prison,” he remarked.

He pointed out that he was guided by humane considerations when reading their appeals. “If not for that kid (Interfax: Andrei Sannikov’s son), and if the second one had not have pains in his back (Interfax: Zmitser Bandarenka) - and he couldn’t even walk huddling up, could only crawl, but was running right after the release, - I would probably simply ignore their appeals. But all right, they can be in their families,” A.Lukashenka said. “But if their tongues clank – they’ll be getting back,” he emphasized.

A.Lukashenka remarked that ”this thing doesn’t suit a president, I should stop.” “Those were released, and 20-30 thousand other prisoners weren’t. Is it normal? Is it fair of the president? No, it’s not fair,” A.Lukashenka said. That is why, as he put it, very soon, before the Independence Day (Interfax: 3 July) an amnesty may be discussed. “I will make a decision concerning release of a range, maybe 2-3 thousand, of prisoners, those who behave. It will be fair,” A.Lukashenka said. “Normal people are still behind the bars while some bandits are freed,” the president added.

A.Lukashenka warned once again that “any pressure will end badly.” “They (Interfax: the opposition) say: the ambassadors were let in after some pressure. But it was the other way around, we told the ambassadors: guys, you’ve already left, so stay there for some time. Today the ambassadors wish to come back, but no, the situation must be misinterpreted in order to “keep the mask”, the dictator said.