Defense minister comments on soldier’s death after 15 days

Andrei Raukou. Photo: TUT.by
Andrei Raukou. Photo: TUT.by

Minister of Defence Andrei Raukou has commented on the death of Alyaksandr Korzhych in the training centre in Pechy, Barysau District. 

15 days after the death, the Minister is yet to apologize to Korzhych’s mother. The state news agency BelTA reported that the Minister had expressed his condolences to the soldier’s relatives but there were no condolences mentioned in the text of the news report. BelTA only added that more news updated to be expected. 

The army is a school for young people. There should be no negligence and fear in there,” BelTA quotes Andrei Raukou as saying. “Commanders must be responsible for their subordinates,” the Minister continued. “Soldiers, especially draftees, should not be dying in the peace time.”

A petition to dismiss the Minister of Defence appeared on the Internet after the dreadful details of Alyaksandr Korzhych’s death had been made public. More than 11 thousand people signed it within several days.

The Investigation Committee opened an inquiry over the death of soldiers in the Army. Five military men have been dismissed and two servicemen have been suspended.