Lukashenko says repentant opposition activists could be amnestied

MINSK. Sept 6 (Interfax) - Jailed opposition activists who repented could be amnestied, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said.

"There are all sorts of people among convicts, including those who slipped up by accident and committed crimes through negligence, as well as minor crimes, including protest actions. Everyone has smartened up in the past two years. If they repented, embarked on the path to correction and made amends fully, leniency could be shown to them," the First Man's Pool Telegram channel close to the presidential press service quoted Lukashenko as saying at a meeting dedicated to the improvement of legislation on citizenship and amnesty in Minsk on Tuesday.

"Concessions are possible only in relation to those who truly deserve them. In other words, it should be based on justice. It's not for thugs and extremists," the Belarusian president said.