Lukashenka fires two ministers over corruption

Aliaksandr Lukashenka dismissed Forestry Minister Mikhail Amelyanovich and Sport and Tourism Minister Aliksandr Shamko "for having failed to take actions against corruption and economic crimes in the organizations run by their ministries," according to the website of the head of state.

Commeting to BELTA state news agency, Chief of Staff at the Presidential Administration Natallia Kachanava stressed that every fact of corruption "inflicts irrepairable damage on the image of the government and public relations in the state."

According to Kachanava, the head of state once again drew attention of government officials at all levels about personal responsibility for the execution of anti-corruption laws. "Top officials will face the most stringent measures of punishment, including dismissal from their posts, if facts of corruption are identified in the organizations they supervise," Kachanava stressed.