Criminal proceedings might be initiated against Belarusian citizens involved in combat activities in south-east Ukraine, Interior Minister Ihar Shunevich said on Thursday.
According to Shunevich, the ministry started to collect evidence for at least 20 Belarusians’ fighting on the both sides of the front. They may face charges under Article 133 of the Criminal Code (‘Mercenarism’). “Everything will depend on the amount of evidence we collect,” the Minister added.
The tactical group ‘Belarus’ which is fighting for Ukraine has responded to Shunevich’s statement:
“By defending Ukraine now, Belarusians are defending Belarus too. Our common enemy is Moscow with its imperial designs. Ukraine’s victory offers hope that tomorrow Putin’s regime will not attack us.
We urge the Belarusian authorities to put a stop to Moscow’s deceitful propaganda which contributes to recruiting citizens of Belarus into the ranks of the illegal armed formations of separatists. Everyone who is fighting on the side of separatists should be held liable,” a post in Facebook group ‘Association of Patriots’ reads.
