Latuška says would run for president if Łukašenka released political prisoners

September 10, Pozirk. Pavieł Latuška, a Warsaw-based Belarusian opposition politician, has pushed back hard against Alaksandar Łukašenka’s criticism of the pro-democracy leaders.  

Earlier today, the Belarusian leader claimed that his opponents only care about grants and do not care about political prisoners. He also said that his opponents should take part in the forthcoming presidential election instead of planning an armed invasion.

Łatuška, a former minister in Łukašenka’s government, said that he would run in the election if the Belarusian ruler ended reprisals and released all political prisoners.

“I am ready to take part in the election if you drop criminal cases against all Belarusians who have been fighting for democracy and freedom in our country over the past four years, if you repeal all politically-motivated sentences to Belarusians. Then [international] sanctions for all that would be lifted,” the politician said in a statement released by his National Anti-Crisis Management.

The other demand is the presence of international and domestic monitors at each polling station.

Łatuška said he would win the race even from exile if independent monitors were allowed to observe the poll.

Other opposition politicians are also ready to challenge and defeat Łukašenka, he added.

“But you will not allow anyone except your lackeys to participate in the election because you are a cheat,” he said.

At a policy meeting on September 10, Łukašenka told officials to hold the election no later than July 20.

He urged his exiled opponents to return to Belarus for the campaign, accusing them of planning an armed invasion, street protests and advocating for sanctions.

After the meeting, top election official Ihar Karpienka told state media journalists that the House of Representatives, the lower house of the Belarusian National Assembly, will discuss the election date during its next session.