Pavel Seviarynets: Political prisoners will be released when their sentences expire

A politician doesn't believe that political prisoners may be released soon.

Pavel Seviarynets, a co-head of the organising committee to found the Belarusian Christian Democracy party, tells charter97.org how he spends his three-day leave.

“You know, I came home yesterday morning and have to leave tomorrow. I only have time to sleep, make telephone calls, congratulate my friends and family on Easter and go back. What makes me happy is that I see happy faces on Easter. When I was at passenger terminals in Minsk and Vitebsk, I saw happy people in a good mood. It creates the feeling of a holiday,” the political prisoner said.

Pavel Seviarynets doesn't hope to be released before his sentence expires.

“I think I won't be free in the nearest time. At least until expiration of my sentence in five and a half months. Most political prisoners have longer sentences. I suppose Dashkevich and Frantskevich may be released in August and September respectfully after their terms expire. In my opinion, there's no sense in hoping for Europe and a dialogue. Lukashenka will show his tough stance on political prisoners. He needs this image. He ostentatiously keeps people in jails to make others be afraid,” the politician thinks.