MINSK (AP) — The authoritarian leader of Belarus says he can turn over jailed opposition activists to the European Union without haggling for political favors.
More than 30 opposition activists have been convicted and jailed in the ex-Soviet nation for their participation in last December’s rally that followed the presidential election which Alexander Lukashenko won amid widespread accusations of fraud.
Lukashenko has ruled Belarus for almost 17 years and has turned over his jailed opponents to the West in return for political favors.
Lukashenko said Thursday that this time he "is not going to haggle with the EU and swap these people for some talks."
In recent weeks, some 2,000 have been arrested, fined and sentenced to 15 days in jail for participation in weekly rallies throughout Belarus.
