A. Lukashenko took the investigation of the terrorist attack in the Minsk metro under his personal control

April 12, Minsk /BELTA correspondent/. Belarusian President 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 laid flowers at the site of the explosion together with his son. 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 conducting the investigation and in providing medical care to the victims). As early as 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 with experience in treating similar injuries to Minsk. At the beginning of the meeting, all attendees 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. "Results must be delivered every day. Work day and night," the head of state emphasized. Alexander Lukashenko instructed the Prosecutor General to immediately create an investigative team, reinforcing it with employees from the Prosecutor's Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the KGB. Deputy Prosecutor General Andrei Shved was appointed head of the team. "In the shortest possible time, take into account all details and specifics, investigate, find out everything. The perpetrators must be found," the head of state said. "Results must be delivered every day with cumulative progress," he demanded. The President did not rule out a connection between the current explosion in the metro and the events of July 3, 2008, instructing KGB Chairman Vadim Zaitsev to analyze the facts and consider the possibility of a link. "Perhaps these are links in the same chain. Find out 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 KGB chairman. 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, and ammunition," the President demanded. In addition, the head of state tasked the Minister of Defense with immediately inspecting all ammunition and explosives depots to ensure everything is in place and properly guarded. "I do not rule out that this 'gift' could be brought 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 Defense 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 the head of the Belarusian state noted, "specialists from Russia need to 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 investigating 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 victims of 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 waiting for your call, and make arrangements," the President said, addressing 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! Do not spare anything, especially since we have everything for this," he emphasized. Addressing the government, Alexander Lukashenko said: "Help everyone, do not 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 Administrator of Affairs of the President, get involved in this work immediately, meet with the families if necessary." 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. "Immediately publish all lists of victims, who is where being treated, and immediately inform people of everything possible," the head of state instructed. Alexander Lukashenko also instructed the head of the Presidential Administration, Vladimir Makei, to inform the public about everything. "People must be provided with full information. Organize answers to all questions that journalists may ask. There is no need to hide anything, people must know everything," the head of state emphasized. Alexander Lukashenko also instructed to restore metro traffic as soon as possible. Addressing the Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee, Alexander Lukashenko stressed that the city's life should not be paralyzed. "Thank you for quickly clearing the ground. But tomorrow and the day after, 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 to transport people along the route of the first metro line. "Metro traffic must be restored as soon as possible," the President emphasized. "I understand that this is primarily related to the work of the investigative team. But there are other issues as well. Therefore, repair crews must be ready today to clear the station. As soon as it becomes possible, the prosecutor will give the appropriate signal – 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 should be finished in such a way that nothing falls on people's heads. Not just from an explosion," the head of state said. "Well, that was before our time, but we have also been working for a long time, and this should have been paid attention to earlier. People were injured there also because things fell on their heads from the ceiling." "In general, pay serious attention to the operation of the metro. It is a vulnerable spot in any state," the President concluded. Alexander Lukashenko instructed to declare a day of mourning in Minsk and determine the specific date. "This must be done as a sign of respect for the people," the head of state said. 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," the President said. "They will not let us live in peace. I warned you about this. Who are they? And I ask you to hurry with the answer to this question," the head of state told 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 appeal to people honestly and frankly: without you, it will be difficult for us to find these monsters. You must help us," the head of state said. "We have nothing to hide. Only we are to blame for this event. We have not ensured, as it has always been, 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 state bread in vain," the President noted. As reported by 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 was equivalent to 5-7 kg of TNT. 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 area. At the same time, another train was moving in the opposite direction, which was forced to pass without stopping. Currently, a check of all transport leaving and entering the republic has been organized. Special attention is paid to the border perimeters in the Vitebsk, Mogilev, and Gomel regions. Law enforcement agencies in crowded places, at railway stations, and airports have been transferred to an enhanced duty regime. All video surveillance recordings are also being seized and will be studied in detail. An investigative and operational group has been created, headed by Deputy Prosecutor General Andrei Shved. A criminal case has been initiated based on the explosion. The investigation will work through all available versions until the full picture of the incident is established. "I know that this will be a complex criminal case," Alexander Lukashenko noted. "But I have always warned you, and especially after July 3, 2008. I asked you, and I will say frankly today, how the task was set for you – to carry out a sweep in the country and 'chop off the hands' of everyone who is 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 – immediately bring them to court. 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 were injured, their families are not guilty of anything. Therefore, do it," the head of state emphasized. According to Minister of Health Vasily Zharko, after receiving the signal of the emergency, 98 ambulances were dispatched to the scene. 126 people were hospitalized in medical institutions with surgical departments. Of these, 22 are in serious condition, 30 in moderate, and the rest in mild condition. The victims primarily sustained shrapnel wounds to various parts of the body, blast wave injuries, and there are cases of limb amputation. At the same time, citizens who left the scene on their own, being in a state of shock, should immediately seek medical attention if their condition worsens. All medical personnel and hospital management are at their workplaces. Bandages, medicines, and blood supplies are available in sufficient quantities. "The main thing is to save people who are in serious condition," Alexander Lukashenko emphasized. In turn, the city authorities, as reported by Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee Nikolai Ladutko, have organized work to collect information and notify the families of the deceased and injured. The funerals of the metro explosion victims are planned for April 13-15. The mayor of Minsk proposed declaring Thursday, April 14, as a day of mourning. City authorities are ready to restore metro operations in the shortest possible time, however, trains will not stop at the Oktyabrskaya station. It has been decided to limit entertainment events in the republic for the next few days. The head of state instructed to clarify the exact number of dead and injured, their identities, during the night and 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-