MINSK - The death penalty remains necessary in Belarus, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko told a press conference in Minsk on Friday.
"I believe this measure of punishment is still necessary," Lukashenko said responding to a question as to whether there are preconditions for the abolition of the death penalty in Belarus.
"We have a referendum. It’s a law to me, no matter if I want that or not and no matter what my position is," he said.
Speaking of the European demand on the Belarusian administration to declare a moratorium on the death penalty or its full revocation, Lukashenko said, referring to the U.S.: "Turn around, you have a big friend there on the other side of the Atlantic. As soon as they abolish it, we will abolish it too."
Lukashenko said the reason why he has given this example is that double standards are being used on the issue of the death penalty. "There can be no double standards here," he said.
Lukashenko said the death penalty exists in China and in the Arab countries, "where they get oil from." "Why are you not demanding it there?" he said.
"If the majority of people in our country are for this [abolition of the death penalty], I will abide by that decision," Lukashenko said.
