Alyaksandr Atroshchankau: Situation has not changed in essence

“European Belarus” coordinator has taken part in a radio program “Prague’s Accent” on air of Radio Svaboda.

The former political prisoner has told about his evaluation of the release of the political prisoners Andrei Sannikov and Zmitser Bandarenka, about the role of European sanctions, and answered other questions.

“These events could not be explained just by a simple coincidence of time. Undoubtedly, a complex of reasons has taken effect in this situation, but the principled position of the European Union has certainly played a significant role. The West has crosses a critical line, and now the economic sanctions, previously avoided by all means, are no longer a taboo. It is understandable that by Sannikov and Bandarenka’s release Lukashenka has not fulfilled the key demand of the West. Illegally convicted persons remain behind the bars, but he is trying to secure a certain freedom of manoeuvre for himself. I hope that would not deceive anyone.

After the release of Sannikov and Bandarenka it has become absolutely evident that only such solidarity and drastic steps affect Lukashenka. And in the recent weeks we see such actions on the part of the EU. Only by such actions something could be achieved. It is obvious that Lukashenka is going to replay all of that, and to start bargaining in political prisoners again. But that’s what he had always been aiming for to adopt “the democratic standards” from the East and get money from the West. The ideal model for him is the relations of the EU with such countries, as for instance, Azerbaijan, so that it would be possible to have dozens of political prisoners, kill people for participation in peaceful demonstrations, but at the same time maintain good trade relations with the West. The question is, whether the Belarusian society and Western democracies are going to agree to that.

We a very glad about the release of Andrei Sannikov and Zmitser Bandarenka indeed, but the situation has not changed fundamentally. More than a dozen of political prisoners are still kept behind the bars. We know that tortures are used against them, an extreme pressure, both physical and moral, is exerted on them. The authorities continue to keep hostages. Among them are a presidential candidate Mikalai Statkevich, Andrei Sannikov’s family. Iryna Khalip, as many other people, remains to be under different kinds of restriction of freedom. So there is no sort of reason for discussing any easing the sanctions, which are very mild already,” Alyaksandr Atroshchankau said to Radio Svaboda.