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“When you are going to discuss how to treat convicts here, from their point of view, it is a strange sign,” said a political scientist at the Institute of International Relations and Political Science at Vilnius University.
According to him, the meeting was definitely intended to send a message, but whatever it is, it can be interpreted in different ways: it may be an attempt to divide the opposition and strengthen its position in the negotiations with Russia and in the search for constitutional reforms.
“He talks to those who are detained and, obviously, those who are in a worse negotiating position than those on the streets,” said L. Jonavičius.
Therefore, in his opinion, it may be an attempt to “find less evil in you from your point of view, so that you can work with them, manipulate them and achieve goals.”
He also linked this to earlier statements by A. Lukashenko that he had helped bring Sviatlan Cichanouskaya, a former candidate in the presidential elections in Belarus, to Lithuania and given her money. In this way, Lukashenko tries to portray her as a weak figure.
Laurynas Jonavičius
L. Jonavičius pointed out that at least from the information given to the public about the conversation it is known that there was talk of changing the constitution, which confirms the version that Lukashenko will try to create an impression of change in this way, maintaining his status and reputation.
“There will be a way to change the constitution, try to keep the face and then probably leave after the system has been adjusted, as if all of this is still being confirmed.” That change in the constitution is an act of salvation for Lukashenko himself, as it would also allow him to keep his face in relations with the West, “he said.
“It is a consistent enough path on the road: change the constitution and that constitutional reform to calm all the events and then resign. This is one of the steps in this direction,” said L. Jonavičius.
The message, according to the expert, is addressed both to the protesting people of Belarus and to the international community, including Russia.
“It can be interpreted as an attempt to strengthen our positions a little when we speak with Russia. It is clear that there is pressure from Russia and Mr. Lukashenko’s attempt to resist that pressure. And through this demonstration, through contact with members of the opposition, it is probably trying to show Russia that the opposition is not pro-Russian, “he said.
The fact that Mr. Lukashenko goes to speak with the convicts is also likely to betray his own bad situation as protests continue in the country as the economic situation deteriorates.
Lukashenko met with detained opposition members at the State Security Committee (KGB) detention center on Saturday and spoke for half an hour, according to loyal media reports.
The content of the conversation was not made public with the general consent of the participants, but the reports cite the words of A. Lukashenko that “you will not write on Konstitucijos Street.”
According to the published photo, the meeting was attended by former candidate for the post of President Viktaras Babaryka and his son Eduardas, as well as the member of the Coordination Council established by the opposition Lilija Vlasava and the coordinator of the electoral staff of V. Babaryka, Juras Vaskrasenskis .
Belarus has been holding massive protests for two months against the results of the presidential elections on August 9. The current president, Lukashenko, who has held office since 1994, was officially declared the winner of the elections.
On August 18, the opposition, which did not recognize the results of the vote, created a Coordination Council with the aim of handing over power in the run-up to new elections.
Minsk considers the council unconstitutional and several of its members have been detained on suspicion of threatening national security.
Even before the elections, V. Babaryka, the former director of Belgazprombank, who tried to challenge Lukashenko, was arrested for alleged economic crimes.
Belarusian human rights defenders have recognized the detainees as political prisoners.
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