Andrej Sannikau: Serious World Players Deprive Lukashenka of Legitimacy

The next step should be the recall of the ambassadors from Belarus and the introduction of tough sanctions.

In an interview with the YouTube channel of the Free Russia Forum, the leader of the civil campaign "European Belarus" Andrej Sannikau commented on the decision of several Western countries not to recognize Lukashenka as legitimate.

"This is the first time this happens when serious world players deprive Lukashenka of legitimacy. This has not happened yet, although it was worth doing it a long time ago, when he blatantly trampled on international law, declared himself president, having not won a single presidential election since 1994.

The leader of the "European Belarus" believes that the decision not to recognize Lukashenka should develop and underlines the uniqueness of the situation:

- They used to say that the elections were rigged. Not even that, they used to say that the elections "do not meet the Copenhagen criteria," which exist in the OSCE and indicate electoral standards. Now they say straight away.

Further, states must act in accordance with their statements. I think that the ambassadors' recall should follow because one cannot deal with an illegitimate impostor, since according to diplomatic practice, credentials are presented to the head of state.

Tough sanctions must also be taken. After all, Lukashenka was not simply deprived of legitimacy in his statements because "we wanted it so," but for his crimes, which today human rights activists and lawyers openly call crimes against humanity.

There were murders; almost daily torture occurs. We have over 12 thousand in prisons. These are unprecedented and outrageous results for a country located in Europe. More than 250 people are charged with criminal charges, and their number is growing. Not a single case of murder has been investigated, and seven cases of the killing of demonstrators have already been established. Lukashenka is now a serial criminal who is trying to hold on to power. Therefore, the consequences should be the most severe.

The leader of the "European Belarus" emphasizes that the West should also follow the strong support of the people of Belarus:

- Support for the strikers, who are probably under the greatest pressure today, support for students.

I don't want to think instead of serious players today. They have both good experience and knowledge. Just a little is needed - political will, - Andrej Sannikau summed up.