Maryna Adamovich: Statkevich’s nomination is strong solution

Nomination of Mikalai Statkevich as a single candidate may help him to be released from prison.

The wife of the political prisoner, a former presidential candidate Mikalai Statkevich, Maryna Adamovich, expressed gratitude to all who voiced support to boycotting “the election” and said to charter97.org that in her opinion nomination of her husband as a single candidate of opposition in the next “election” is a very strong political move, which could allow him to be released.

- I view nomination of Mikalai not only as a solidarity action, but also as a political action, which could have all kind of consequences. From the point of view of political expediency it seems to be a right move, and probably in the present context of today’s Russian threat, both military and informational one, this move is the only right option, - she said.

- Prominent politicians and public leaders have voiced support to Mikalai Statkevich’s nomination, the campaign is gaining momentum. What is your attitude to that?

- I am very grateful to all the people who support Mikalai and voice support to this strategy, even though this could be not the best option for him personally. On the other hand, I do not exclude the variant that this campaign could help him to be released.

As a political move with clear aims and the message accurately got across to the authorities, it could have different results. This campaign gives an opportunity to the authorities to change their position and agree to a dialogue with the civil society. Nomination of Mikalai Statkevich as a single candidate could smooth the way to release of political prisoners.

- What is the opinion of Mikalai Statkevich himself?

- I am absolutely sure that Mikalai agreed, understanding the political expediency of this decision, though he clearly understands that the cost could be additional years of imprisonment for him.

- Do you support the idea of boycott of the election in case the authorities do not release political prisoners? Is participation in the election moral under present conditions?

- In case when the authorities do not change their attitude to the situation, does not agree for liberalization of the laws, and does not even make a single step to respect the demands of the international community and the civil society of Belarus to hold fair election, in today’s situation this could be possibly the only case when I support such an idea. I am not even speaking about moral criteria, but first and foremost about the external threats on the part of Russia.