Expert: 'Korzhych case' shows MoD prefers hiding facts

A year has passed since the death of soldier Alyaksandr Korzhych in Pecy. However, neither the public response nor the trial have made the Ministry of Defence draw the needed conclusions and start eliminating the reasons that had led to the tragedy, head of the analytical centre Belarus Security Blog Andrei Parotnikau said on the Euroradio Guest Live show.

“Firstly, they have not understood what happened. They believe that nothing extraordinary happened. A person dies or gets killed – it happens every day! What is the problem? The army is more safe than everyday life, they say: there are fewer chances to be killed or commit suicide as a soldier rather than a civilian.”  

Secondly, they believe that the public response does not mean that the public is indignant. It was started by instigators who are getting paid for it, they think. In their opinion, it is a task-oriented campaign aimed at discrediting the Belarusian Army, the Minister of Defence and his closest subordinates.

The Ministry of Defence has drawn simple conclusions: facts need to be hidden better. Unfortunately, I cannot see any deep conclusions. The Ministry has got defensive and the only ability it has demonstrated is the ability to make excuses. They are accusing those who are not satisfied and who demand to be told the truth of being politically disloyal. They keep saying that this is a campaign of defamation of the army, that people are getting paid for it, etc. This is all they are able to do.”

The Belarusian army needs to be reformed as soon as possible, military analyst Alyaksandr Alesin thinks. If it is not done and if ‘Korzhuch’s case’ starts being mentioned less often, we will soon hear about hazing and other tragedies in the army. No reforms are expected to be conducted any time soon.

“Documents imposing strict responsibility will be adopted. New instructions will be created – the number of normative documents will greatly increase. Yet, mechanisms allowing to realize the good intentions are required. However, we do not have them.”

The measures that should be taken to avoid tragedies in the Belarusian Army were discussed on air by head of the analytical centre Belarus Security Blog Andrei Parotnikau and military analyst Alyaksandr Alesin.