Shareika's Case As an Illustration of Absurd

Although such sensational trials in Belarus are not a surprise, however, this case of absurd is a different story.

Sensational cases usually end with a sentence. It reminds of an old Italian movie The Case Is Closed, Forget It (L'istruttoria è chiusa: dimentichi). However, the story of Anna Shareika differs. After the release for a short period of time she became the main person covered by media. First, she thanked her offenders and it caused a great resonance on social networks. Then she was met as hero at her factory. "Senators" prematurely broke the power of Shareika. At the same time Vitsebsk oblispolkom made her a director of the same Vitsebsk poultry factory.

The trial of Anna Shareika and her companions is unique. Although such sensational trials in Belarus are not a surprise, however, this case of absurd is a different story.

Criminal persecution has recently followed the same scenario: a successful businessman, director of a public enterprise, or a bureaucrat are jailed and offered a deal: cop a plea, pay ransom and be at large. Belarusian courts can hardly deliver verdict of non-guilty and the result does not depend real situation. Most of people accept the deal - cases of businessman of Viktar Prakapenya, sports journalist and bureaucrat Uladzimir Berazhkou. Anna Shareika and her companions (but for one exception) refused the deal, were insisting on their innocence. Therefore, they were imprisoned for two years.

The criminal case was so phony and fell apart in the court that even the prosecutor was forced to acknowledge: no damage was inflicted to the enterprise. But, according to him, and this is the first nonsense, damaged the state and public interests. It looked really strange. What does it mean? But our legal system could not prove their innocence, "our bodies make no mistakes." Therefore, amnesty was implemented and they were released in the court room.

After the arrest of the managing staff of the poultry factory it turned to be a loss-making. What was the reason for imprisonment of those people when it turned out no harm had been inflicted? This is the best example of defectiveness and absurdity of the system.

Support of employees of the factory was surprising. As a rule, Belarusians do not like their managers. And if Lukashenka disgraces and puts bureaucrats and directors in prison it is accepted in the society. This time the situation differs. People supported disfavored director and came in the court to express their sympathy. After her release they met her as a hero. The situation is not typical in Belarus. It proves that the credibility degree to state bodies including legal system is getting low.

One more nonsense. Anna Shareika got her position back. Does it mean she can continue inflicting damage? Is this the way the government acknowledged its mistake? It is useless to seek logics here.

And the last paradox or, perhaps, nonsense. After the trial Anna Shareika gave a strange comment on the situation. She thanked the court, the state and other for keeping order:

"I have always kept my fingers crossed. Unfortunately, the result differs, however, I am glad. More or less they investigated the case and we are at large... They did their job. What is more? I can understand the government's intention to keep things in order. Later they get things straight. They also got things straight with Maltsau's case. Our bodies cannot be deceived. I am very grateful to this investigative isolation cell for equal treatment. I must say thanks for that my detention. This is a good lesson to us. What does not kill us, makes us stronger. . .

It all was said sincerely. This is the classics of totalitarian consciousness, totalitarian psychology. And now I can understand the people who spent 20 years in Stalin's camps and then thanked parties and governments and screamed before the execution: "Viva Stalin!". Until now historians are trying to find out why old Bolsheviks during trials of 1930s recognized they were spies, etc. The thing is not only about tortures. They were convinced the party needed it. And they agreed.

Totalitarian ideology is based on the cult of the state, super powerful and super wise state institutions, appeals, respect to spiritual union with the government. A person is just a detail of the mechanism. Its essential element is self-sacrificing attitude.

We simply underestimate the scale of the tragedy.

One of peculiarities of Belarus' bureaucracy is that it used to be sincerely Soviet one. And now we observe it. Let us recall Deputy Prime Minister Natallia Kachanava who gave an answer "they are monarch's people" to a question on low wages. It means interests of the government come first.

We are really sorry for what has happened to Anna Shareika. Two years are spent for nothing.

Valery Karbalevich, Radio Svaboda