Andzelika Borys: The sooner elections are, the less freedom we have

The head of the Union of Poles is being persecuted on political motives.

Andzelika Borys, the leader of the Union of Poles of Belarus, the organisation that is not recognised by the Belarusian authorities, was recently summoned to a hearing at the financial investigation department of the State Control Committee's directorate for the Hrodna region. She told in an interview with charter97.org that another wave of repression is explained with the upcoming elections and said the case was obviously political.

– You were to have a questioning today at the State Control Committee, but it didn't happen. Why?

– My lawyer and I were waiting for two hours, but no questioning took place. It is hard to find logic there. I think they cannot bring any charges, so they decided to postpone the questioning until 10:00 March 12.

– How do you explain claims to you from the authorities?

– It has been continuing for a rather long time. I explain this interest to me with my activity in the Union of Poles. In general, the authorities have always treated independent organisations like that. They drew close attention to and applied pressure on other organisations and independent journalists. They show special attention ahead of the “elections” in the country. Freedom has always been limited in such periods. I think that despite the desire to cooperate with the West and establish relations with Europe, the authorities will seek it on the one hand, but will do everything to stifle freedoms for civil society on the other hand.

– What charges can the State Control Committee bring against you?

– Like in all politically motivated cases, I can be charged with carrying out activity on behalf of an unregistered organsation. It is article 193-1 of the Criminal Code of Belarus.

Andzelika Borys was also summoned to the Committee on February 27. Chief inspector Khanko suggested during a two-hour conversation that Borys and he allies were involved in an unregistered organisation, which is the Union of Poles, in his opinion.