Lukashenko Threatens Everyone

Pavel Latushka, Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Representative of the Cabinet for the Transition of Power, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management, Leader of the "Latushka Team and the Movement 'For Freedom'" faction within the 3rd convocation of the Coordination Council.

Threats of imprisonment, which Lukashenko has regularly directed at various categories of workers and public servants over decades, are a defining feature of his style of governance.

These are not mere emotional outbursts but a deliberate, systematic approach serving several key purposes:

An Instrument of Total Control and Intimidation The main objective is the pursuit of absolute control. Threats of prison create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, forcing officials, enterprise directors, and even rank-and-file employees to act strictly according to the regime’s instructions — without initiative or deviation. No one wants to come under investigation, and this ensures personal loyalty and compliance.

A Display of Strength and Ownership The dictator constantly seeks to project strength an d a sense of dominion. For Lukashenko, this is a way to continuously reaffirm his unchecked power and his self-image as the sole master of the country. He positions himself as the only authority who can grant mercy or impose punishment. These public threats are meant to demonstrate that he controls all spheres of life and can punish anyone at will.

A Means of Shifting Blame Prison threats are often voiced in connection with failures to meet targets, economic difficulties, or allegations of corruption. This becomes a convenient tool to shift responsibility for failures away from himself onto specific subordinates. When things go wrong, it is the “slackers” or “corrupt officials” who are blamed — not the systemic flaws or inefficiency of the governance model.

The Illusion of a Fight Against Corruption Lukashenko continuously cultivates the appearance of a battle against corruption and inefficiency. Public arrests and prosecutions are intended to convince the population that the regime is upholding order and justice — all while distracting from deeper systemic issues.

Psychological Pressure on Officials and His Own Inner Circle Constant threats of arrest and imprisonment exert psychological pressure not only on various officials and managers but also on the dictator’s own entourage. The persistent anticipation of punishment wears people down, stripping them of the will to resist and promoting conformity. Even if actual arrests are fewer than the threats, the mere presence of such threats serves as a powerful deterrent.

Projection of His Own Fears By constantly threatening officials with prison, Lukashenko is projecting onto others the very consequences he fears most for himself. A dictator so obsessed with control and punishment clearly dreads being held accountable for his own crimes.

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