Руслан Варанков. Скриншот видео
Belarus’ Foreign Ministry has issued a second statement regarding an alleged “planned terrorist attack” in Poland. According to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ruslan Varankou, Minsk is ready to assist Warsaw with the investigation.
The Foreign Ministry described the transfer of the information to Warsaw as an act of good neighbourliness.
“Providing the Polish side with information about a terrorist attack being prepared on its territory is a natural step that reflects Belarus’ principled position based on the principles of good neighbourliness,” Varankou said.
Varankou claimed that Belarusians who had left the country and encountered problems with legalisation had become “radicalised” and warned Poland about threats posed by Belarusian migrants.
“This situation clearly demonstrates that extremism and terrorism know no borders. By sheltering destructive elements on its territory, Warsaw faces inevitable consequences — growing internal threats, as radicals begin to pose a direct danger to the people of Poland itself,” Varankou said.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson disclosed some details of the alleged planned attack. He claimed it had been conceived by a person with “pseudo-Christian values” and that the intended victims were the children of the leader of an “extremist formation.”
“The Polish side was provided with information regarding a specific individual who adheres to pseudo-Christian values. The presence of motives and connections, as well as the radical actions previously committed by this individual in the Republic of Belarus, demonstrate the extreme seriousness of the situation and point to a real and tangible threat.
According to available information, the woman whose underage children were to become the primary targets of the planned crime heads one of the formations designated as extremist in Belarus. This fact clearly demonstrates the deep crisis and unhealthy competition within the so-called political emigration environment artificially supported by Europe,” Varankou said.
“The attempted preparation of a terrorist attack is an entirely predictable reaction within the fugitive community to the populist and self-serving activities of politicised centres abroad, which are effectively putting the security of European citizens at risk as well,” the Belarusian Foreign Ministry said.
The Belarusian side stressed that it adheres to the principles of good neighbourliness despite differences with Poland on a number of issues. The ministry argued that, had the attack been carried out, the Belarusian authorities would have been blamed.
“This is especially evident in cases involving a direct threat to people’s lives and health. Saving human lives, and especially protecting children, always takes precedence for the Belarusian side over any political disagreements. Moreover, we fully understand that if such a scenario had been carried out, the West and the so-called fugitive communities would predictably have blamed the Belarusian authorities,” Varankou said.
Belarus is ready to cooperate with Poland on the case and remains open to “constructive cooperation,” Varankou said.
“Belarus once again demonstrates through its actions that it is a responsible international partner that strictly fulfils its obligations in countering global threats and terrorism. This step confirms Minsk’s readiness for constructive cooperation.
We note that the Polish side has treated the information received with due attention, and we have no doubt that Poland’s competent authorities will promptly take comprehensive measures to prevent a tragedy. For our part, we are ready to provide the necessary assistance. We emphasise that cooperation in combating terrorism must be completely free from politicisation,” the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.
On July 23, the Foreign Ministry said that a Belarusian citizen was allegedly planning a terrorist attack in Poland, targeting the underage children of a Belarusian activist. The information was passed by the Belarusian side to Poland’s chargé d’affaires. Polish authorities later said they were examining the information.