President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said that the detained in Minsk Russians need to apply “gently”.
“They are certainly guilty, but not enough against them to take some tough measures. It is the soldiers. Ordered them – they went. It is necessary to understand with those who has ordered, who sent them here,” – said Lukashenko during a meeting with KGB Chairman Valery Vakulchik and Chairman of the investigative Committee of the Republic Ivan Nosovice, BelTA has learned.
The Belarusian leader added that Belarus is open to cooperation on the situation.
“On lies policy we not build. Shouting over each other in the media, the issue will not solve. So if someone has a desire of the Russians to get further information, we are always open. We do not hide anything, but we need the truth,” he said.
In Belarus zaderzhali 33 Russians, most of whom were soldiers of a private military company Wagner. It was reported that many of them participated in the fighting in the Donbass on the side of DND and LNR.
Ukraine intends to request from Minsk extradition of “militants”, which in Kiev is considered Ukrainian citizens.
On Thursday, the Russian Ambassador in Minsk Dmitry Mezentsev has informed that the basis for the arrival of Russians in Belarus has a contract with a company registered in the Republic. Each of them has the relevant employment contract. He noted that the Russians were going to fly from Minsk to Istanbul in order to “ensure security of energy infrastructure and resources.”
The investigative Committee of Belarus called tickets in Istanbul trying to prepare an alibi.
Moscow insists on the release of the Russians.
