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Medvedev suggests that hunt for masterminds of Minsk subway bombing is key priority

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has given a cautious welcome to the progress in the investigation of Monday’s Minsk subway bombing, saying that it was above all important that the Belarusian authorities found its masterminds, BelaPAN said. 

On Wednesday afternoon, Alyaksandr Lukashenka appeared on television to announce that the bombing had been "solved" with the arrest of its suspected perpetrators.

“From our experience, I can tell you the following: it is much easier to establish the perpetrator than understand the mechanisms that were used, who organized the crime and what ends were pursued unless there are obvious clues ,” RIA Novosti quoted Mr. Medvedev as telling reporters in China on Thursday.

“Perhaps, this is what should be the main focus of our Belarusian colleagues today. But it is up to law enforcers to decide,” the Russian president said.

Mr. Medvedev said the bombing in Minsk had showed that “evil-doers and scoundrels” were everywhere. “No one is separated from what is going on around the world by a blind wall,” he said. “Unfortunately, the virus has spread to Belarus, too. The Belarusian authorities now need to do much to rehabilitate general sentiments that such crimes usually cause.”

In his emergency address on Wednesday, Mr. Lukashenko did not identify the suspects. Nor did he offer a clue as to their motives. "The main thing is that we know now who and how committed this terrorist act. It’s still unknown for what reason, but this will also become known soon," he said.

Mr. Medvedev promised that Russia would continue providing all necessary help and assistance to Belarus, which he described as a very close ally.

He said that he had a phone conversation with Mr. Lukashenka an hour and a half after the bomb attack to express condolences and offer aid in the investigation and the treatment of victims.

The tragedy is hard for the people of Belarus, as well as for the authorities that are to protect their peace, the Russian president said.

Mr. Medvedev added that he hoped that law enforcers would establish who had organized the attack.