Minsk intends to extradite detained in Belarus “militants” PMC Wagner and Russia, said Ukrainian journalist Dmitry Gordon, who has taken interview with the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko

The press service of the President of the Republic of Belarus

According to Gordon, in conversation with Lukashenko, the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky asked me to give Ukraine those who participated in the fighting in the Donbas, including Ukrainian. In response, Lukashenka promised “green light” the Prosecutor’s office and other law enforcement bodies of Belarus that will “do everything necessary” to transfer the criminals in Russia and Ukraine

The press service of the President of the Republic of Belarus

Minsk intends to extradite detained in Belarus “militants” PMC Wagner and Russia, said Ukrainian journalist Dmitry Gordon, who has taken interview with the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko. It quoted “Radio Liberty”.

According to Gordon, in conversation with Lukashenko, the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky asked me to give Ukraine those who participated in the fighting in the Donbas, including Ukrainian. In response, Lukashenka promised “green light” the Prosecutor’s office and other law enforcement bodies of Belarus that will “do everything necessary” to transfer the criminals in Russia and Ukraine. Gordon also expressed hope that all find themselves in Belarus, persons responsible “for crimes against Ukraine”, will eventually be transferred to Kiev.

About the arrest in Belarus of 33 people who were called the soldiers of PMC Wagner, became known on July 29. According to law enforcement bodies of Belarus, reported the arrival of more than 200 militants to destabilize the situation during the election campaign.

Imagine if every Russian had a small hand Luggage, all with three large heavy suitcases, the load in the vehicle is carried out by several men. Belarusian authorities claim that the detainees are linked to private military company “Wagner”. Against them criminal case about preparation of terrorist acts, they give testimony.

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko called it “an accident”, collected by the security Council and accused Russia of “dirty intentions”. The foreign Ministry of Ukraine and the Council of national security and defense stated that closely monitoring the situation, and requests to extradite the detainees will be the competent authorities, if they deem it necessary.

Press Secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov said that all the detainees – citizens of Russia, their other citizenship Moscow does not recognize. He also said that Russian laws do not provide for the existence of PMCs, but it also allows the Firms. On 31 July he said after the foreign Ministry that Belarus was detained by private security guards, which in Minsk was in transit to go to Istanbul and Belarus did nothing illegal. According to the version voiced by sources in the Russian special services, “vagnerovsky” could be sent by transit through Belarus to Africa or the middle East.

Later, the attorney General’s office of Ukraine informed the competent authorities of Belarus about its intention to request the extradition of the 28 people of the 33 detainees. They declared suspicion on the fact of participation in a terrorist organization (article 258-3 of the criminal code), nine of them – citizens of Ukraine. It was reported that the Ukrainian side intends to attract them to criminal responsibility for the crimes connected with illegal participation in an armed conflict in the Donbass.

In address to the nation and the National Assembly Lukashenko also announced the transfer of another group of militants to the South of the country and reported the attempt to organize a massacre in the center of Minsk. Anyone specifically trying to organize the massacre he was accused of, but then moved on to discuss the detainees “vagnerova”. According to him, the mercenaries arrived in Belarus deliberately and watched in Minsk for what is happening during the presidential election campaign. “And all this about Istanbul, Venezuela, Africa, and Libya – lies. These people (they testified) was directed specifically to Belarus,” Lukashenka said.