ByPol teases secret plan in case of Łukašenka’s death

May 12, BPN. The resistance group ByPol says it has a secret action plan in case Alaksandr Łukašenka dies.

“There is an ongoing debate about what to do if Łukašenka dies. International partners are also waiting for our answer, but we cannot voice it,” ByPol head Alaksandr Azaraŭ, a member of Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja’s cabinet, told BPN.

“In the event of his death, the Kremlin would appoint a protégé. A rushed election would be held and, of course, rigged. We would have time to do something while that election is happening,” he said.

Łukašenka attended the Victory Day parade at Moscow’s Red Square on May 9. Footage circulated by the Russian media shows that his arm was bandaged. It was difficult for him to move around. He was driven to a wreaths laying site, whereas the other Eurasian leaders arrived on foot, and skipped the “informal breakfast” hosted by Vladimir Putin.

In the evening, Łukašenka participated in a wreaths laying ceremony at Victory Square in Minsk but stopped short of making a speech, which was unusual and occurred for the first time during his rule. Defense Minister Viktar Chrenin was the primary speaker. The ceremony, broadcast by state television, lasted just 20 minutes.

The Belarusian strongman hasn’t made any public appearances since.

Opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja has said she is ready to assume responsibility and be the voice of Belarusians “in order to hold fair elections and prevent chaos or a power grab by a new dictator.”