Lukashenka: Actions Of Mothers 328 Are Beyond Pale

The dictator ignores the hunger-strikers’ demands.

Lukashenka stated that during a conversation with Supreme Court Chairman Valiantsin Sukala, BelTA informs.

"We discussed the further struggle against drug addiction and drug-related crimes, Lukashenka unequivocally noted that there could be no indulgence towards drug sellers and distributors, though there could be some indulgences towards consumers, – Supreme Court Chairman said.

– And as for the form of the protest that this group of mothers has selected, it is unacceptable, this is pressure and interference in justice. And this is not the way that should be used in our country. As Lukashenka said, there's not expected to be some kind of general reduction of punishment, especially for distributors," – the Supreme Court Chairman said.

We remind, that the activists of the Mother 328 movement continue the hunger strike for 12 days.

The women went on the hunger strike on the night of April 27. Part of the hunger strikers was in Pukhavichy, others in Kalinkavichy. About 20 people were on hunger strike in Belarus. At the end of the first day, local officials came to the hunger strikers: Siarhei Hvozds, the chairperson of the Kalinkavichy District Executive Committee. They invited the women to meet with the head of Lukashenka's administration Natallia Kachanava on May 2.

In response, they said that "Kachanava does not decide anything" and explained that they wanted to address to Lukashenka first, and then to the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Prosecutor General, the head of the Investigative Committee.

The hunger strikers drink only water. On April 28, one of the participants of the hunger strike felt bad and she was called an ambulance.

Only in 2017, 2,830 people were convicted under Article 328 of the Criminal Code (illegal drug trafficking) in Belarus, 40 of whom were minors. The minimum penalty for this article is from two years in prison, the maximum is up to 25 years.