In Belarus, the restructuring of Lukashenko’s power structures

On October 29, Belarusian President Aliaksandr Lukashenko replaced the country’s Interior Minister and appointed three security officers.

Experts say the president is trying to preserve power in the context of relentless protests for twelve weeks. Ivan Kubrakov, the Minsk police chief, who has been tasked with suppressing the largest protests, has been appointed the new head of the country’s Interior Ministry.

His predecessor, Yuri Karayev, is one of three presidential aides or inspectors appointed as responsible for the country’s key regions.

Lukashenko’s stance seems a bit stronger recently, as the opposition failed to disrupt the country’s economy this week with a general strike. Since the outbreak of protests in the country following the absurd presidential elections on August 9, the security forces have detained more than 16,000 people. people.

The West claims that the election results were rigged. Despite attempts to silence the opposition, protests continue, especially in universities, and the restructuring of the country’s security structures suggests that the ruling regime feels it is losing control and is trying to find new solutions.

“I said (to Mike Pompeo) as a friend, openly: Mike, despite the warm tone of the conversation, knows what is going on. I warned him that if there was any action from Poland or Lithuania … maybe Ukraine – no, after all Ukraine is falling, they have something to worry about … But Poles and Lithuanians … Mostly Poles, Lithuanians They have no army … Then we will respond. He (Pompeo) assured me that it never will be, never will be. I said very well, I can hear you. We hear you. But we must react, “Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said.

Mr. Lukashenko has also called for the strengthening of the armed forces, which in theory exist but have played practically no role in the crisis so far. The other two new presidential aides are Valery Vakulchik, who has served eight mayors as a KGB commander, and former Deputy Interior Minister Aliaksandr Barsukov.

A. Barsukov will be responsible for Minsk, V. Vakulčikas for Brest near the Polish border and J. Karajev – for Grodno near the border with Poland and Lithuania.