Is Mikalai Statkevich Alive?

The Belarusian authorities are hiding the truth about the leader of the Belarusian opposition.

For 315 days, more than 10 months, the authorities have been hiding information about the condition and whereabouts of the leader of the Belarusian opposition Mikalai Statkevich. Meetings with a lawyer and visits by his wife Maryna Adamovich are still prohibited, there are no calls or letters, no parcels are allowed.

Back on November 23, I wrote, citing some sources, that there is a possibility that Mikalai Statkevich was no longer alive and the regime was trying to hide this information, since another death of a political prisoner in prison could cause a serious resonance and reaction from the international community. However, the authorities have the opportunity to refute this information by showing Mikalai Statkevich alive, giving him a meeting with his wife or at least a video call.

Over the past month, members of the European Parliament and a number of European politicians have joined the call to show Statkevich to the people. The latest resolution of the European Parliament contains a demand to immediately end the isolation of the leader of the Belarusian opposition. Many influential European deputies also made individual statements. I know that certain actions are being taken through the UN.

Today it is important not to stop but continue to persistently demand that the authorities show Mikalai Statkevich and other opposition leaders and activists, from whom there has been no information for a long time. What is happening to the politician is reminiscent of the practices of the Middle Ages: since his arrest in May 2020, he has been held in solitary confinement, and in the colony in Hlybokaye he was placed in the basement of a former 18th-century monastery. The monstrous, inhumane treatment of Mikalai Statkevich should not go unpunished.

It is necessary to continue the international campaign under the slogan “Show Statkevich to the people!” Hundreds of thousands of Belarusians, who have traveled to different countries in recent years, should today knock on all doors, hold actions of solidarity and call on politicians in the countries where they are to respond to the abuses occurring in Belarus against people.

We can do a lot. It's important to take action.

Natallia Radzina, Editor-in-Chief of Charter97.org