Lukashenko brought thousands of refugees into the country, but many people in Belarus fear the presence of foreigners. Particularly tragic: many Belarusians are thinking of fleeing themselves. Are Lukashenko’s tactics now taking revenge?
from
Silke Bigalke, Moscow, and Frank Nienhuysen
The gas station where he works is not far from the Minsk train station. People “with dark skin” are constantly passing by, says Fyodor, the gas station employee on the phone. He does not want to give his full name, it is risky for Belarusians to speak to foreign journalists. The refugees, he says, bought drinks and food at the gas station snack bar and wanted to pay in euros or dollars with large bills. Fyodor finds this strange: “We never have anything to do with other cultures to this extent,” he also talks about it with friends. “You’re a little scared.”