A. Lukashenko takes the investigation of the terrorist attack in the Minsk metro under his personal control
12/04/20110 views
On April 12, Minsk /BelTA correspondent/. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has instructed to provide all necessary assistance to the victims and families of those killed in the explosion at the Oktyabrskaya metro station in Minsk. The head of state issued this directive at an emergency meeting on April 11, BelTA was informed by the press service of the Belarusian leader.
Immediately after the explosion, the situation was reported to the President. The head of state immediately arrived at the Oktyabrskaya metro station, descended to the platform and, together with his son, laid flowers at the site of the explosion. These were the first flowers in memory of the victims of the terrorist attack.
Then, the head of state inspected the crater, the destroyed structures of the station, the damaged train, and checked the progress of the work to eliminate the consequences of the explosion.
Returning from the scene, the President held an emergency meeting. Law enforcement agencies, the government, the Presidential Administration, and the Minsk City Executive Committee were given specific instructions on assisting the victims, strengthening security measures on transport and in crowded places, and investigating the crime.
The President of Russia called the head of the Belarusian state and expressed his deepest condolences. Dmitry Medvedev offered to provide Belarus with any necessary assistance (both in terms of conducting the investigation and providing medical care to the victims).
Already on April 12, a group of Federal Security Service officers specializing in solving such crimes will arrive in Belarus. Simultaneously, Dmitry Medvedev offered to send a team of doctors to Minsk with experience in treating similar injuries.
At the beginning of the meeting, all those present observed a minute of silence in memory of the deceased.
The President of Belarus demanded daily results from the law enforcement bloc in the investigation of the explosion. "There must be results every day. Work day and night," emphasized the head of state.
Alexander Lukashenko instructed the Prosecutor General to immediately establish an investigative group, reinforcing it with staff from the Prosecutor's Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the KGB. Deputy Prosecutor General Andrei Shved was appointed head of the group.
"In the shortest possible time, take into account, investigate, and clarify everything in the smallest details. The perpetrators must be found," said the head of state.
"There must be results every day with increasing progress," he demanded.
The President did not rule out a connection between the current metro explosion and the events of July 3, 2008, instructing the Chairman of the KGB, Vadim Zaitsev, to analyze the facts and consider the possibility of a link. "Perhaps these are links in the same chain. Establish who benefits from disrupting peace and stability in the country, who is behind it," the President said.
"I want you to remember – you bear personal responsibility for the investigation of this criminal case," the Head of State said, addressing the Chairman of the KGB.
Alexander Lukashenko instructed the State Secretary of the Security Council and the Head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to maximally strengthen security measures. "Act decisively. I think people will understand us. All units in the Ministry of Internal Affairs must be put on alert. Turn everything inside out! Especially for unregistered weapons, explosives, ammunition," the President demanded.
In addition, the Head of State tasked the Minister of Defence with immediately inspecting all depots for ammunition and explosives, ensuring everything is in place and that security is properly maintained everywhere.
"I do not rule out that this 'gift' could be brought in from outside, but we need to look within ourselves. This is important," the President said, adding that he expects a personal report from the Minister of Defence on this matter.
"Contact your Russian colleagues through the FSB, KGB, and Prosecutor's Office, tell them what assistance you need," the President addressed those present.
As noted by the Head of the Belarusian State, "specialists from Russia should be involved at least to assess the situation." According to him, they are already ready to depart.
As reported at the meeting, Great Britain and Israel also offered their assistance to Belarus in the investigation of the terrorist attack.
Furthermore, according to Alexander Lukashenko, he agreed with his Russian counterpart that specialists from Russia would be immediately dispatched to consult Belarusian doctors and advise on how to treat those injured in the explosion, who, in addition to physical injuries, suffered severe psychological trauma. "Therefore, do not refuse help. Contact the Russian Minister of Health right now, she is awaiting your call, and make arrangements," the President said, addressing the Belarusian Minister of Health, Vasily Zharko.
"I emphasize once again: people died as a result of the explosion," the President said.Alexander Lukashenko instructed to provide all necessary assistance to the victims, including material assistance. "Heal them, get the wounded back on their feet! Don't spare anything, especially since we have everything we need for this," he stressed.
Addressing the government, Alexander Lukashenko said: "Help everyone, don't forget anyone. Support everyone without any delays - those who need financial assistance, the victims, the families of the deceased, to bury people. Together with the Chief of the Presidential Affairs, get involved in this work immediately, and if necessary, meet with the families."
The President also instructed the Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee, Nikolai Ladutko, to finance all urgent expenses from the city budget.
In addition, Alexander Lukashenko drew attention to the important fact of promptly informing the public about the progress of the investigation. "Publish all lists of victims, who is where being treated, immediately and report everything possible to the people," the head of state instructed.
Alexander Lukashenko also instructed the Head of the Presidential Administration, Vladimir Makei, to inform the public about everything. "People need to be provided with full information. Organize answers to all questions that journalists will ask. There is no need to hide anything, people should know everything," the head of state stressed.
Alexander Lukashenko also instructed to restore metro traffic as soon as possible.
Addressing the Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee, Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that the life of the city should not be paralyzed. "Thank you for quickly sorting things out on the ground. But tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, there should be no delays in transporting people on the metro line," the President said.
The head of state instructed to allocate the necessary number of buses for transporting people along the first metro line route.
"Metro traffic must be restored as soon as possible," the President stressed. "I understand that this is primarily related to the work of the investigative team. But there are other issues as well. Therefore, repair crews should be ready today to clear the station. As soon as it becomes possible, the prosecutor will give the appropriate go-ahead - restore traffic," the head of state said.According to the President, people were injured by falling suspended ceiling elements of the station. "The fact that there is debris there now after the explosion is a lesson for you. The metro must be finished in such a way that nothing falls on anyone's head. Not only from an explosion," said the Head of State. "Alright, this was before us, but we have also been working for a considerable time, and attention should have been paid to this long ago. People were injured there also by what fell on their heads from the ceiling."
"In general, pay serious attention to the operation of the metro. This is a vulnerable spot in any state," the President concluded.
Alexander Lukashenko instructed to declare a day of mourning in Minsk and to determine a specific date. "This must be done as a sign of respect for the people," said the Head of State.
The President believes that the explosion in the capital's metro is a serious challenge that requires an adequate response. "A serious challenge has been thrown at us, and, it must be admitted, a very serious one. And an adequate response is needed, it must be found," said the President.
"They will not give us a peaceful life. I warned you about this. Who are they? And I ask you to hurry with the answer to this question," said the Head of State to those present.
Alexander Lukashenko also appealed to the public with a request to assist in the investigation of the explosion in the Minsk Metro. "I would like to address the people honestly and frankly: without you, it will be difficult for us to find these scoundrels. You must help us," said the Head of State.
"There is nothing to cover up. We are solely to blame for this event. We have not ensured, as has always been the case, peace, even in a specific part of our capital. The blame lies with us. And we must do everything possible so that people do not think that we are eating the state's bread in vain," noted the President.
As reported by the Minister of Internal Affairs Anatoly Kuleshov, the train was moving from Victory Square towards Independence Square. Presumably, the explosive device was located under a bench on the platform opposite the second carriage. As a result of the explosion, a crater about 80 cm in diameter was formed. The power of the explosion in TNT equivalent was from 5 to 7 kg. The explosive device was packed with metal balls about 1 cm in diameter. At the time of the explosion, there were about 300 people in this location. At the same time, another train was moving in the opposite direction, which was forced to proceed without stopping.In the present time, an inspection of all transport entering and leaving the republic has been organized. The perimeter of the border in the Vitebsk, Mogilev, and Gomel regions is under special attention. Law enforcement agencies in places of mass gathering, at railway stations, and in airports have been transferred to an enhanced duty regime.
Also, all recordings from video surveillance systems are being seized and will be studied in detail. An investigative task force has been created, headed by Deputy Prosecutor General Andrei Shved. A criminal case has been initiated based on the explosion. The investigation will explore all available versions until a complete picture of the incident is established.
"I know this will be a difficult criminal case," noted Alexander Lukashenko. "But I have always warned you, especially after July 3, 2008. I asked you, and today I will frankly say, how the task was set for you – to carry out a sweep in the country and 'chop off the hands' of everyone found with explosives. If, upon hearing me today, all diggers – 'black' and 'white' – do not bring unregistered weapons and explosives, and they are found with them, with a specific person, they will be immediately brought to trial. Only in this way can we establish order."
"The sweep must be carried out according to all rules. Life is more precious. These people who have suffered, their families are not guilty of anything. Therefore, do it," emphasized the head of state.
According to the Minister of Health, Vasily Zharko, upon receiving the signal of the emergency, 98 ambulances were dispatched to the scene. 126 people have been hospitalized in medical institutions with surgical departments. Of these, 22 are in serious condition, 30 are in moderate condition, and the rest are in mild condition. The injured primarily have shrapnel wounds to various parts of the body, injuries from the blast wave, and there are cases of limb amputation. Citizens who left the scene on their own, being in a state of shock, should immediately seek medical attention if their well-being deteriorates.
All medical personnel and hospital management are at their workplaces. There is a sufficient supply of bandages, medicines, and blood reserves. "The main thing is to save the people who are in serious condition," emphasized Alexander Lukashenko.In turn, the city authorities, as reported by the Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee, Nikolai Ladutko, organized the work on collecting information and notifying the families of the deceased and injured. The funerals of the victims of the metro explosion are planned to be held on April 13-15. The Mayor of Minsk proposed to declare Thursday, April 14, as a day of mourning.
The city authorities are ready to restore the operation of the metro system in the shortest possible time, however, trains will not stop at the "Oktyabrskaya" station.
It has been decided to limit the holding of entertainment events in the republic in the coming days. The Head of State instructed to clarify the exact number of deceased and injured, and their identities during the night, and to report the results to him in the morning. The President has taken the investigation of the terrorist attack in the Minsk metro under his personal control. -0-
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