Lukashenko decides that state security agencies should submit only to him

OLENA ROSHCHINA — MONDAY, 10 OCTOBER 2022, 23:47

Belarusian state security bodies will now submit only to Alexander Lukashenko, self-proclaimed President of the country.

Source: website of the President of Belarus

Details: As reported, on 10 October, Lukashenko signed decrees concerning the improvement of activities of the state security bodies system.

According to the decree No. 356, changes are being made to a list of former decrees of the President of Belarus, developing an updated law On State Security Bodies of the Republic of Belarus from 6 October 2022.

"Subordination of state security bodies exclusively to the President of Belarus is provided by it; its system is improved," the press release stated.

The decree No. 355 refers to re-organisation of the state educational establishment Institute of National Security of the Republic of Belarus into the Academy of National Security. This document also approves the statute of this educational establishment.

The Council of Ministers and the State Security Committee of Belarus must take measures to implement the decrees by 1 January 2023.

Why it matters: This comes amid escalating Russian armed aggression against Ukraine and suggests that Belarus may openly enter the war.

On 10 October, in the meeting with security forces and military personnel, Lukashenko declared that the day before, he had asked to convey a threat to the President of Ukraine that "the Crimean bridge will seem like the thin end of the wedge" if the Ukrainians encroach on the territory of Belarus.

He also stated that Russia and Belarus had agreed to deploy a  joint regional force and announced that soon the Russian military would return to his country.

On a separate occasion, Defence Minister of Belarus Viktor Hryenin warned Ukraine not to  take "wrong steps and provoke Belarus" if Ukraine wanted to avoid a war.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!