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Mikalai Statkevich: Decent Tribute to the Memory

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Mikalai Statkevich: Decent Tribute to the Memory
photo: svaboda.org

Minsk hosted action timed to coincide with the 19th anniversary of the referendum of 1996.

The participants paid tribute to the memory of the disappeared politicians Yury Zakharanka and Viktar Hanchar.

Policemen drew up administrative protocols against politicians Mikalai Statkevich, Uladzimir Nyaklyayew, participants of the action - Anton Zhylko, Stanislaw Paulenkovich and Andrei Davidovich for white-red-white flags, the Coordinator of the civil campaign "European Belarus" Maksim Viniarski, leader of the Belarusian entrepreneurs Ales Makayeu, human rights activist and observer Siarhei Kaspiarovich, as well as journalists Dzmitry Halko and Halina Abakunchyk.

Commenting on results of the action, Mikalai Statkevich told Radio Svaboda that the number of protocols was unknown:

"They drew up protocols even against journalists and civil rights activists wearing special waistcoats. It is possible that they drew up protocols against each other as well. It is likely they were ordered to do as much protocols as possible. They decided to intimidate people with an increased number of protocols. Therefore, we will follow trials. In case of fines, we will look for an opportunity to help everyone. We may start a fund-raising campaign. I've got another situation; I have no property, but war pension that is usually subject to fine. I tell people to address me, we will help them.

But it, of course, will not suspend the activity. I plan other action. It will be of a different format and, perhaps, be aimed at a certain social group."

Mikalai Statkevich noted that today's action was a decent one:

"People showed that they did not fear. They came to places that are considered places of fear. The government was scared, and the Interior Ministry was scared the most and buffered the building. So to say, we were not able to desecrate a holy place. It could be interpret as self-humiliation. They failed to fence the Government House. People, surely, felt scared. A large number of people with those standing with symbols went away after approaching to the Government House. A third of them left. However, there were enough people to say that it was a decent tribute to the memory of those died for our freedom in the country of fear."

Participants walked from the main State Store to the MVD and CEC buildings.

"We do not know the burial place of Yury Zakharanka and Viktar Hanchar, but know where they used to work. We will light candles under windows of Yury Zakharanka. Then we will go to the CEC building," Mikalai Statkevich said.

According to the politician, another aim is "fear treatment":

"You know that on October 29 we held an action next to the KGB, MVD and Government House buildings, those buildings that usually cause fear. It is possible that people will have less fear after today's action," Statkevich said.

The entrance into the MVD was fenced with a dumper truck behind. It prevented participants from setting candles near the building.

It was the right side of the Government House with the Central Election Commission inside. It was the place, Nyaklyayew stated, results of the referendum were rigged. As the result the Belarusians "have lost national symbols, in fact the democratic Constitution was abolished and replaced by Lukashenka's, whereby he was given the right to life power".

"It cannot but specified as the crime. We came here to remind the government that we remember everything and one day it will have to pay," Nyaklyayew said.

Mikalai Statkevich noted that the referendum of 1996 had been "a consulting one, but Lukashenka extended his control." According to the politician, it is "an especially grave crime."

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