Mikalai Statkevich: Never back down

Political prisoner responded to letters he had received in Mahileu prison.

Alena, charter97.org reader, received a letter from the former presidential candidate Mikalai Statkevich. "Write letters to political prisoners. They are in prison for our future", she wrote on Facebook.

A fragment of the letter:

"I appreciate that you wrote "never back down". Certainly, if such a brave, smart and honest girl says it, then how can I do it? But if talking seriously, I have never intended to back down. And it is not all because it is important (but it's also the point) for Belarus to have those who do not give up, but also because it feels like moral suicide for me. Attitude may differ, but I feel this way. And given that all of us will die physically, why do I need two deaths? As for me, one death is too much", the political prisoner wrote.

Mikalai Statkevich is the only candidate for the Presidency in 2010 who is still imprisoned. In May 2011, he was sentenced to six years in prison for organizing mass disorder on the day of presidential elections. International human rights organizations recognized Statkevich as a political prisoner.

The opposition politician initially served his term in Shklou colony No. 17, but in January 2012, conditions of the completion of sentence were tightened and he was sent to Mahileu prison No. 4 for three years. After the term expiration on January 12 of the current year, the politician was back to the Shklou colony and where he was drawn up 2 protocols within first two days on violation of regulations.

Mikalai Statkevich's current address:

212011, Mahileu, Krupskaya Str., 99A, CT-4, quarantine.