The detention of Belarusian presidential candidate Viktor Babariko is explained by the fear of the head of state Alexander Lukashenko.
This opinion was expressed by Belarusian political scientist Viktor Bolkunets in an interview with Moskovsky Komsomolets.
Belarusian political scientist Dmitry Bolkunets told MK about the fate of Babariko and the election campaign in Belarus.
“This detention means Lukashenko’s recognition of the popularity of Viktor Babariko in Belarusian society. The president is afraid of a strong rival and is trying to remove him from the election campaign at any cost. I do not rule out that Babariko will be arrested. Now they will try to force the candidate to withdraw from the elections as an alternative candidate. If he agrees, he will be given the opportunity to remain free and leave the country,” Bolkunets believes.
“Lukashenko is scared and is doing everything to portray the candidate as a swindler, a thief, a corrupt official. Although it is not very clear what the topic of corruption in the bank is. Belarusian state channels showed that gold and money were found in the bank. Citizens of Belarus are asking themselves: “What else should they have found in the bank if he is doing this?” the expert adds.
According to him, the Belarusian Foreign Ministry is trying to convince Western diplomats that Russia is allegedly interfering in the Belarusian elections.
“The goal pursued by Minister Vladimir Makei and his team of propagandists is to convey to Europe the idea that Russia is going to organize the Maidan. Subsequently, they will ask to impose sanctions against Moscow. Already now, at the instigation of some pro-government political scientists, the idea is being voiced that Babariko is an agent of the Kremlin,” the political scientist notes.
He assumes that Babariko’s fate, among other issues, will be decided during Lukashenko’s negotiations with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the subsequent visit of the Belarusian president to Moscow.
“In my opinion, if Babariko is not allowed to participate in the elections, then this means that the elections are over. They will no longer need to be carried out. This will be a slap in the soul of the citizens who put half a million signatures for the candidate and want his participation. Lukashenko does not want to accept their opinion. There may well be some protests, but it is difficult to say whether they will be widespread. But they can travel throughout the country, and not just in Minsk,” concluded Bolkunets.
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