Political Scientist: Why Lukashenka’s Reliance on Fear Is Irrational in the Long Term

On December 14, enormous prison sentences were handed down in the “Tsikhanouski case.”

Siarhei Tsikhanouski himself was sentenced to 18 years.

Other defendants in the case, including Ihar Losik and Mikalai Statkevich, received sentences ranging from 14 to 16 years.

UDF (https://udf.name/) asked experts why the regime needed such enormous sentences and what the fate of Belarusian political prisoners will be.
“Tsikhanouski took a hard line toward Lukashenka personally”
Andrei Kazakevich, director of the Political Sphere Institute and doctor of political sciences, noted in a comment to UDF (https://udf.name/) that the regime had several reasons for imposing an enormous sentence on Tsikhanouski.

Photo: svaboda.org
“Tsikhanouski used strong offensive rhetoric, sent many messages to the security forces, and contributed to the expansion of dissatisfaction with the activities of law enforcement agencies.

Second, Tsikhanouski took a hard line toward Lukashenka personally.

This was also visible in their communication in the KGB detention center.

And it is necessary to remember the role of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: for the authorities, the sentence against her husband is also an expression of their attitude toward her activities,” Kazakevich said.

Why were the other defendants in the case given long sentences?
“This is the logic of the trial.

If the main defendant receives 18 years, then similar sentences must be handed down to others.

The authorities want to punish harshly everyone who was connected to active, radical protest and thereby represented the greatest threat to the regime.

Although the image of radical protest was largely created by the authorities themselves.

Those convicted were arrested long before the election,” Kazakevich noted.

Source (https://udf.name/news/sobytie/237075-politolog-pochemu-v-dolgosrochnoj-perspektive-stavka-lukashenko-na-strah-neracionalna.html)