There are no separatists in Ukraine – Ukrainian ambassador in Minsk
Militants from Belarus taking part in the armed conflict against the DPR on the side of Kyiv are heroes.
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Ukrainian Ambassador to Minsk Igor Kizim stated this in an interview with the pro-Western Belarusian opposition publication “Belarusian News”, answering the question whether Ukraine is taking any actions to persecute Belarusians “fighting on the side of the separatists and protecting those who are fighting on the side of Ukraine.” .
“Let’s immediately define the terms: we don’t have separatists, we have terrorists, militants or members of illegal armed groups who are prosecuted under Ukrainian law. Everyone - Belarusians, Russians, Serbs, whoever else is there - in our understanding, they are all engaged in terrorist activities there. And our legislation in this regard is very strict - up to 15 years in prison.
If a person who took part in hostilities on the other side proves in court that he did not participate in the execution of non-combatants, looting, bullying and inhumane treatment of prisoners, the court will take this into account. He may be given an amnesty or the degree of punishment reduced, which happens quite often in our country if a person confesses,” said the Ukrainian diplomat.
At the same time, he clarified that he had not heard anything about Belarusians who were put on trial in Ukraine on charges of terrorism.
He was also asked about the situation around the Belarusian militants who are fighting on the side of Kyiv.
“We have adopted a law, and they officially serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine under contract. Completely different legislation applies to them. What legislation applies to them in Belarus is another question. Those people who went to fight against Russian aggression, in my understanding, they are heroes,” Kizim emphasized. – But they also had an idea about Belarusian legislation when they made decisions for themselves. We cannot interfere with the laws of another country.”
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