Mikalai Statkevich: Protests Are Most Effective Bargaining Chip

Only solidarity will help in the fight against politically motivated cases.

Belarusian National Congress leader Mikalai Statkevich stated that to the palitviazni.info site.

– At this stage, the level of repressions on the part of the authorities has a bit decreased. Apparently, the security officials have been pressured from the top, as money from the West is needed. But at the same time, these repressions have acquired a variety of forms.

I have already told you that poet and former presidential candidate Uladzimir Niakliayeu was almost driven to death, when serving his several days term. The honored man, a pride of the nation, was thrown into jail and not even given life-saving medicines.

Now I’m holding correspondence regarding the fact that, not so long ago, I was kept in handcuffs on the Lithuanian border. So, in his letter, the Smarhon border detachment head said that there would not be a criminal case on keeping me in handcuffs. What is this head? A prosecutor? An investigator? But he himself has already decided in that way. But I will not get off their back that easy, such things should be nipped in the bud.

– In a word, the forms of repression are changing?

– Yes, the authorities are looking for new ways of exerting pressure. So they are making such petty nastiness.

– Meanwhile, political prisoners still remain in the country, political criminal cases continue.

– "The Patriots' Case" has been closed, but we see that now Sviataslau Baranovich is being tried, who stuck up for the activists. Unidentified people in civilian clothes wanted to detain them after the protest, and the young man defended them. So, why is he to be tried, if he performed his civic duty? Obviously, this is a political case.

– The investigation of the "trade union’s case" has been going on for half a year. In your opinion, how can it end?

– The case also has a vivid political coloring and is associated with the trade unions’ participation in the fight against the decree on "parasites". I always say that people's protests are the most effective bargaining chip in relation to the power. And last year, people made their voice heard. The REP trade union collected signatures against that unconstitutional decree and, thus, facilitated the mobilization of people for protests. It has been punished for that. They have taken revenge on the trade union. Besides, perhaps, they are afraid that the trade union head might have big political ambitions.