Grotesquery of the Belarusian regime has crossed any conceivable boundaries. The closed trial of Partnership leaders has ended with a shameful verdict locking up Mikola Astrejka for two years, Cimoch Dranchuk for one year, Enira Branickaja and Alaksandar Shalajka for six months.
The most horrible thing here is that these people are absolutely innocent. They have been sentenced for running an unregistered organization. Actually, they had tried to register Partnership multiple times, but received a no go response from the ministry. And when they attempted to conduct a congress to establish the organization and reapply for registration, the get-together was dispersed and the leaders got arrested. Yet, Partnership continued to conduct its activities regardless the never-ending problems with the regime which got tremendously nervous about the independent pall watchers.
So when the presidential campaign was going in full pelt, the authorities attacked isolating the Partnership leadership, paralyzing the work of the organization. And here came the trial – covertly and lawlessly judging the young guys for their noble mission to monitor the elections.
Now they are in jail, and our solidarity is needed. Cimoch Drancuk has a birthday today. He turned 25. It is horrible for anyone to celebrate a birthday in such a way. I think it is vital for him and other political prisoners to know that the world is not just watching. The regime is going to get pounded very severely for this bestial act of brutality. I am sure that the executors will be punished soon. And freedom will shine on not only them – but on all our tortured land.