Pavel Seviarynets: Eduard Palchys Kept A Stiffer Lip

The actions of solidarity with the blogger played a major part in his release.

After the sentence to blogger Eduard Palchys has been pronounced, Co-Chairman of the steering committee for creating the party “Belarusian Christian Democracy” Pavel Seviarynets has pointed out the significance of the actions of solidarity with the political prisoner:

- Naturally, it was the European component of the show called “liberalization” that worked in the first place – it appeared more significant and strong than the others. As a result, Eduard Palchys has been released, and, God helps, it may become the start of releasing all the others, who are persecuted under political reasons. As for Eduard – he can be congratulated, on both his release and his birthday. He really kept a stiffer lip. There is also a Russian component in this release, but it’s hard to tell what was the ground. The current regime’s policy remains far from transparent. However, the fact that Eduard is free now, gives a clear signal to very many people who will now follow the example of “Jhon Silver” in the social networks.

And the third factor, which appears even more important than the second one, is solidarity. Eduard noted it both in the court hall and right after he walked out of it. In general, solidarity always brings results and I am very grateful to everyone who came here under the court and stayed under the rain, the snow, and the wild wind. Anyway, this is our obligation as humans,” – Seviarynets has said in an interview to Radio Liberty.

- You were among those who participated in these pickets every day. How many police charges do you have?

- I have 7 police charges. I guess it will be $ 3,5 thousand of fines. They give a 50 base fees fine under each protocol to those who had prior administrative offences. I know the police have made over 70 charges during the whole action. We are expecting a great court conveyor.

- In your opinion, why do the authorities need such a conveyor now, to attract more attention to this case?

- On the one hand, they have to fill the budget and the fines remain one of the basic ways to do this. On the other hand, this is a sort of a restriction measure, so that the people knew if they come to a picket, they will be fined and this fine will be taken from them after all. Thank God there are people who help, but most were frightened anyway. That is why there were not 100 people here, but 5, 10 or 12. Of course it would have been better if there had been 100 people, the authorities are really scared of that. That is the reason why they introduce such limits on the solidarity actions. However, the actions continue and there are brave people who are not afraid.