“When I remember why we were given such a deadline, it becomes easy to breathe and life is more fun.” Maria Kolesnikova gave BBC her first interview after she was imprisoned for 11 years

During the year I have been in five cells. Now the camera is very small – 2.5 by 3.5 meters. I always wake up at 6 am light and cheerful. I take a “shower” by heating the water in a basin (we go to the shower once a week). After checking at 8 am, I learn English and German – the most productive time. Then I walk. In a prison yard three by three meters I manage to run and do exercises. I have breakfast, I clean the cell. If there is no meeting with lawyers or interrogations, then I read and write. After lunch, I work for three hours on a criminal case, write texts and letters. At 17 o’clock I have supper and write again – about 200 letters are issued a month. Watching the news – hours-long “five-minute hate” like George Orwell’s. At 21 o’clock evening “shower” with a boiler, a book. Healthy sound sleep from 10 pm to 6 pm. I haven’t slept that much for many years.

Am I thrilled that I was given 11 years? No. But when I remember why we were given such terms, it becomes easy to breathe, and life is more fun. The regime is shifting onto us what it is itself to blame – the real one, with the aim of seizing power, was committed by Lukashenka. An absurd accusation was brought against us because we were brave and honest, we wanted positive changes. I’m not surprised that this is a crime for the regime.

When I was detained in September 2020, I knew that if they didn’t kill me, they would jail me. All year they did everything to make me feel sorry. A year in hot and cold cells, without air, without light, without people … Prison is a disgusting place, but here I feel free and happy. People who love me give incredible strength. Now I am going through a difficult path together with my people. I regret that Belarusians are scared that we are not free, and I regret those who commit monstrous deeds. Belarusians, you have not become worse from the fact that you no longer go out on the avenues with our flag. You have not become weaker because you fear for your life and freedom. You have nothing to blame yourself and each other for. You have not lost, you have not resigned, you are still incredible.

This is a rough retelling interview Maria Kolesnikova, which she gave to the Moscow correspondent of the BBC Sarah Rainsford. Quotes are not necessarily verbatim.

We don’t give up Because you are with us

Cover photo: Ramil Nasibulin / BelTA / AFP / Scanpix / LETA

Note: This article have been indexed to our site. We do not claim ownership or copyright of any of the content above. To see the article at original source Click Here

Related Posts
Outpouring of Grief as Victims of Bronx Fire Laid to Rest thumbnail

Outpouring of Grief as Victims of Bronx Fire Laid to Rest

NEW YORK — A Bronx community gathered Sunday to pay its final respects to perished loved ones, a week after a fire filled a high-rise apartment building with thick, suffocating smoke that killed 17 people, including eight children. The mass funeral caps a week of prayers and mourning within a close-knit community hailing from West…
Read More
「蔡政府嘴喊抗中、對陸順差卻擴大!」藍黨政高層嗆:這才是國安風險 thumbnail

「蔡政府嘴喊抗中、對陸順差卻擴大!」藍黨政高層嗆:這才是國安風險

國民黨在朱立倫回鍋擔任黨主席後,如何提出關鍵且有重要性的兩岸論述?又是如何看待當前兩岸關係?政大社科院特聘教授、前陸委會副主委林祖嘉,獲聘為國民黨大陸事務部主任。林祖嘉認為,民進黨執政下讓對中國大陸貿易順差,從800億變成1200億,貿易依存度從40%變成43%,這造成了國家安全的問題,政府應該正視。 [啟動LINE推播] 每日重大新聞通知 去年3月中國大陸因指我出口鳳梨有介殼蟲而停止進口,林祖嘉接受《風傳媒》訪問時指出,陸方講鳳梨有蟲不買,是要去看他們講的是否是事實,檢查是否有介殼蟲,重點在於雙方應該要協商,一切依事實處理。但是,相對於農產品輸陸的占比,我們每年跟中國大陸順差還在一直擴大當中,去年順差1000多億美元,表示兩岸經貿還是很重要。 無需減少對中出口 而是對他國出口「也要增加」 雖然民進黨發言人簡舒培說「是中國需要台灣,而不是台灣對中國的依賴加深」,林祖嘉則反問,如果民進黨真的覺得不要賣晶片給對岸可以制裁他們,那可以不要賣嘛,但顯然並非真的覺得如此;或者說,如果民進黨真的覺得這樣依存度升高是好事,難道民進黨敢說「我們支持對中國大陸貿易依存度再升高,到60%、70%更好,我想他們也不敢這麼說吧!」 民進黨發言人簡舒培(見圖)曾說「是中國需要台灣,而不是台灣對中國的依賴加深」。(資料照,盧逸峰攝) 林祖嘉指,我們對中國大陸貿易依存度從40%變成43%,800多億變1200多億,依賴度更高,造成國家安全問題,「這難道不比鳳梨、釋迦賣不到對岸更嚴重嗎?」林也問,當我們對中國大陸的貿易依賴度更高,我們出口依賴度是43%,他們對台灣才9%,萬一發生戰爭時,「誰的損傷比較大? 」 林祖嘉指,我們對中國大陸的貿易依賴度變得更高,不是要我們對他們的出口要減少,是要對其它國家出口「也要增加」,民進黨政府顯然做不到,所以對中國大陸出口不斷增加,「民進黨不是很反共嗎,為什麼賣那麼多東西給中國大陸呢?對任何一個國家都不該有太高的貿易依賴度,以分散風險,為什麼不加入CPTPP、RCEP,分散市場呢?」 共機頻繁擾台 「為何馬政府沒這問題?」 林祖嘉表示,除了貿易依存度過高,中共軍機頻繁擾台也是一個問題,他認為,這些問題都應該透過協商去解決,「為什麼馬政府為什麼沒有這問題呢?為什麼馬政府時期台海不是火藥庫呢?」 共機頻繁擾台,林祖嘉反問蔡政府「為何馬政府沒有這些問題?為何馬政府時期台海不是火藥庫?」圖為中國軍機「殲-16D」。(資料照,空軍司令部提供) 林強調,不管是共機擾台,或是藝人方芳說「要中共給台灣教訓」,這些不利於兩岸關係的言論或作法,他當然都不贊成,且國民黨也對共機擾台多次表達抗議,但之前政府沒有這樣的情況,是否有更深層的原因要討論?政府沒辦法解決這問題,要所有在野黨也一起去罵中國大陸,這樣也沒有辦法解決問題,也不是只在網路帶風向就能解決的。 風傳媒歡迎各界分享發聲,來稿請寄至 opinion@storm.mg
Read More
Vanessa Angel's Father Makes Children's Komnas Shake His Head, Reluctant to be Mediated and Arrogant thumbnail

Vanessa Angel's Father Makes Children's Komnas Shake His Head, Reluctant to be Mediated and Arrogant

Jakarta - Kisruh hak asuh Gala Sky Andriansyah, putra semata mayang Vanessa Angel dan Bibi Andriansyah, masih terus berlanjut, Bunda. Ayah Vanessa Angel, Doddy Sudrajat, sempat beberapa kali membuat laporan yang menyatakan kalau dirinya kesulitan bertemu dengan sang cucu. Karena hal ini, Ketua Komisi Nasional Perlindungan Anak (Komnas PA), Arist Merdeka Sirait, memutuskan untuk bertemu…
Read More
Index Of News
Total
0
Share