Lukashenka Builds a Fire under Himself

The regime has objectively run dry.

Coordinator of European Belarus Maksim Vinyarski told in the interview with Charter97.org.

- After the May Day action you spent 15 days behind bars. What were conditions there?

- Speaking ironically, Offender Isolation Centre in Akrestsina is always the same. I go there too often to notice any changes. The only thing I experienced is that sanitary conditions have worsened. Most people I shared the cell with found themselves left out in the cold. And all costs of such "life" I faced there.

The way you spend the next day there strongly depends on guards. This time they wanted to create unbearable conditions there on purpose: there were more people than it was allowed, there were homeless people with lice. Guards did their best not to let us contact the outside world and fight for our rights. We were refused paper and pens.

- Did you follow the example of a legendary Valery Shchukin who fought for the rights of every prisoner in Akrestsina?

- Yes. Although non-political prisoners are called "homeless" there, they are as people as we are and all sanitary conditions must be respected. I was resented with the fact that people in overcrowded cells had to sleep on bare iron bars.

But guards did not pay attention to their complaints. I did not receive any replies on the lawlessness there. Perhaps, I will seek answers in the Sanitary Station.

- In the court room you went on a hunger strike which lasted for 15 days. Are you ok?

- I'm fine and ready to take a stand. This is not my first political hunger strike. During those 15 days the prison authorities ignored my protest. Only on May 12 they sent a doctor to examine my health state. I can imagine how much they were glad to see me at large.

I do not regret the days spent there, as well as the hunger strike. Any deals with the conscience were always unacceptable. We should do everything possible to show our protest. To take the streets, or to use every means including a hunger strike to fight for our rights even if you are behind bars. Let the authorities worry that their scenario's ruined.

This year the spring is late. My release coincided with the first really warm and sunny days. Looking at the spring sun, I want to say that our battle continues!

- What is your cheerfulness and confidence based on?

- The regime has objectively run dry. Like all dictatorial regimes, it surely runs afoul of the society, of the economy, and of common sense. The dictator himself has built a fire under himself. Almost all the Belarusian society, even who used to be his electorate, is against him. Economic problems are still acute, the crisis will continue, but people have changed. The Belarusians are angry, they do not want to endure anymore, they have no illusions about this anti-popular power.