/ / News
12.06.2012

Lukashenko warns against politics in amnesty

MINSK, 12 June (BelTA) – There should be no politics in amnesty, Belarus’ President Alexander Lukashenko said in a government meeting on 12 June to discuss amnesty of certain categories of prisoners.

The Belarusian head of state stressed: “We grant amnesty in our state and for our society. It is a signal both to the society and also the prison community. There should be no politics here.”

Alexander Lukashenko recalled that when the amnesty bill was prepared he required an objective, fair approach devoid of any private ambitions and protectionism.

“Everything has to be honest. The criteria need to be defined for this purpose. We must act according to these criteria: someone gets pardoned, or his sentence gets commuted according to these criteria. In no way we should try to apply the amnesty to the people, who do not qualify, including for some political reasons,” the president believes.