MINSK. July 29 (Interfax) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said that he views the situation surrounding the detention of 32 Russian citizens as an extraordinary incident, and ordered State Security Committee (KGB) Chairman Valery Vakulchik to address the Russian state authorities for giving clarifications on "what is happening."
"If they are Russian citizens, as I know, they were questioned, it is thus necessary to immediately address relevant institutions of the Russian Federation so that they will clarify what is happening," Lukashenko told Vakulchik at an urgent meeting with the members of the country's Security Council on Wednesday.
The president is quoted by the BelTA state news agency.
As for the incident, Lukashenko said the Russians have "dirty intentions." "I am looking at the reaction of the Russians. Trying to justify themselves, they are already saying that we ourselves have probably brought them here. It is clear; they have to justify somehow their dirty intentions. Therefore, I would ask you insistently for everything to be frankly and honestly in connection with this situation and with this fact," he said.
Additionally, Lukashenko ordered his spokesperson Natalya Eismont to ask Russian media "not to give us that crap." "We have to address Russian mass media, including Telegram channels, so that they, as Putin is saying, would not give us that crap. If they are guilty, it is necessary to settle this situation with dignity. If they are not guilty, well, we pursue no goals to defame the country which is close to us," the president said.
Lukashenko said that he deems the incident as an emergency. "I invited you to sort out this extraordinary incident which took place last night. It cannot be called the other way round," he said, addressing participants of the Security Council meeting.
He asked Vakulchik "to brief me on the situation and on what we have today."