Ulliana Zakharanka: Villagers always asked Yury's advice

Yury Zakharanka was kidnapped 16 years ago.

Salidarnasts spoke with Ulliana Ryhorauna, the mother of former interior minister Yury Zakharanka, on the 16th anniversary of his disappearance.

Yury Zakharanka was in Lukashenka's team during the elections of the first president of Belarus. He was appointed interior minister in July 1994, just after Lukashenka won the elections. Lukashenka fired him in October 1995. In April, the former minister was reduced to the rank of police lieutenant colonel and fired from the Interior Ministry allegedly for financial violations and faults at work.

Yury Zakharanka joined the opposition. He disappeared near Mahilouskaya Street on his way home on the evening of May 7, 1999.

– You son Yury disappeared 16 years ago...

– It is the awful day for me. I worry and cannot sleep at night. I don't know what to do [crying]. The most difficult time for me was when Uladzimir died [eldest son Uladzimir died in 1998]. Yura was kidnapped, and I remained alone, like an orphan.

- Ulliana Ryhorauna, what do you remember when you think about your son?

– Villagers always asked his advice. If a couple had a quarrel, they went to him, saying they wanted a divorce. My son talked to them, and they hugged, kissed each other and thanked Yury, “It's good that you talked us out of it and we don't need to go to a police department.”

My son was very careful. I don't know who didn't like him. I receive letters, saying that the investigation continues. I file requests, asking to tell me what they did with him.

– Ulliana Ryhorauna, it's clear that worrying doesn't make you healthier. You are already 91.

– Yes, I am 91. I was in Germany in a camp. People congratulate me on Victory Day, help and say they won't leave me alone, because I worked well and was a nice person. I always cared about other people.

– It seems that you son inherited your talent of getting on with people.

– When Yury came to me at work, all said him hello and hugged him, praised me and said his mother was the best both in the hospital and in entire Belarus. Now this mother is sitting and crying.

– How do you feel? Are you strong enough to run the house and work in the garden?

– The house is good and warm. I have new windows installed. Me niece Liuba helps me in the garden. I think I will leave everything to her. My sister died long ago, but my niece looks after me. I cannot work in the garden any more. I once fell down, people helped me to get up and said not to work any more. I became weak and cannot control my legs. But my head is clear.

– Your son's wife and daughters live in Germany...

– Yes, they managed to leave the country, almost barefoot, when Yury disappeared. They settled there. I don't see them, but they call me very often. They've sent me money for the holiday so that I can buy something tasty and recall them and Yury.