Zmitser Vaitsyushkevich: “I respect act by Autukhovich and express my solidarity with hunger strikers” (Video, photo)

Popular Belarusian musician Zmitser Vaitsyushkevich supported participants of hunger strike of solidarity with political prisoners.

On the evening of May 11, Zmitser Vaitsyushkevich came with a guitar to the BPF headquarters in Masherau Street, where a hunger strike of solidarity with political prisoner Mikalai Autukhovich has been held since May 4. It should be reminded that arrested leader of entrepreneurs has been on hunger strike in the pre-trial detention center almost for a month, since April 16, protesting against unlawful arrest.

Zmitser Vaitsyushkevich played a small concert for “Young Front” activists and sang a song “Stsyah” (The Flag) written by poet Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu.

“I live near here. Once I was walking with my son and thought I could support the young people who dared take such a step – a solidarity hunger strike. In our country, it’s difficult to learn how to be ourselves, make people respect your principles. I respect an act by Autukhovich. It’s not even patriotism, it is honour. I express solidarity with the people who are on hunger strike to support the political prisoner,” the musician said.

On May 4, a number of political and public figures of Belarus went on indefinite hunger strike to support detained entrepreneurs from Vaukavysk, kept in pre-trial detention center #1 in Minsk. Among the participants of the strike are former political prisoners Andrei Kim, Mikalai Statkevich, Syarhei Skrabets, Artsyom Dubski, Enira Branitskaya, leader of the coordinative council of entrepreneurs Alyaksandr Makaeu, “Young Front” activists Anastasiya Palazhanka, Mikola Dzyamidzenka, Kasya Salauyova, Yaraslau Hryshchenya, Artsyom Lastavetski, Darya Latushkina, public activist from Brest Natallya Latushkina, and others.

The participants of the hunger strike demand to free the arrested leader of entrepreneurs Mikalai Autukhovich, Yury Lyavonau, and Uladzimir Asipenka from charges, release them immediately, rehabilitate all political prisoners in the country, and stop political motivated persecuting of people.