Twelve residents of Mahilyow complain about Lukashenka’s aggressive remarks

Twelve residents of Mahilyow have petitioned Mikalay Charhinets, chairman of the Public Council on Morals, Prosecutor General Alyaksandr Kanyuk and Information Minister Aleh Pralyaskowski to prevent the broadcasting and publication of threats of violence by Alyaksandr Lukashenka, BelaPAN said.

The petition was written by Alyaksey Pawlowski, an independent trade union activist in Mahilyow.

While staying in the Mahilyow region on July 8, Mr. Lukashenka warned that if government officials failed to ensure the high quality of forage harvesters, he would "take their heads off."

The remarks were broadcast by state television networks.

"Not only adults but also children saw this report by BT [Belarusian Television]," the petition says. "In the minds of the young generation, members of the BNYU [Belarusian National Youth Union], the gruesome threat to ‘tear off the heads’ of the subordinate ministers…is associated with horror movies."

The petition suggests that Mr. Lukashenka’s aggressive rhetoric might have "a negative impact on children’s psyche and discredit our blue-eyed Belarus in the eyes of the international community."

The petitioners say that the House of Representatives should have a special hearing to discuss Mr. Lukashenka’s remarks and ensure that he publicly apologizes to the "humiliated ministers, children and television viewers."