Yuri Zakharenko’s Family Demands to Recognize Him Dead :: Charter'97 :: News

Human rights advocate Oleg Volchek has just returned from the German town of Handorf, where Yuri Zakharenko’s wife, both daughters and grand-son currently live. “I visited Germany upon invitation of Olga Borisovna,” – said Oleg: “Zakharenko’s family entitled me to represent their interests in Belarus and receive information on the criminal procedure.”

“May 7 will mark three years since the general’s disappearance. Under the Belarusian law (art.31 of the Civil code) after the expiration of this term the missing person has to be considered dead. Now we are readying for the trial on naming general Zakharenko “late”. Let me stress this: it’ll be a civil rather than political process. I’ve no idea how much more we’ll have to wait until we learn all the details of Yuri Zakharenko’s disappearance. The man left after himself real estate and other property, which his family, having not entered into the ownership rights, cannot manage. And what if during the trial there emerges new information about his destiny? Remember, when lawyer Garry Pogonailo demanded to recognize ex-head of the National Bank Tamara Vinnikova dead, the woman showed up in a few weeks…

Oftentimes we heard from those in power: Zakharenko’s family, just like other political asylum-seekers, aren’t working in Germany, but simply spend their money. Olga Borisovna cries when she hears this. This doesn’t correspond to reality. The German authorities presented to their family two three-room apartments. They have no computer or phone – too expensive. Olga Borisovna and her daughters receive an allowance – 220 euro for each person. Zakharenko’s grandson gets slightly more – around 500 euro. I studied the price level and realized that this money is hardly enough to make one’s ends meet. Leaving for another town also represents a great problem for them – they again lack finances…

Olga Borisovna still weeps when she talks about her husband. She says that Yuri wanted to make lives better for all Belarusians. He realized the possible consequences. But the people, for whom he lived his life, seldom even recall his name…”