Patriot Siarhei Strybulski: They Should Admit Me To White Legion, Which Is Long Gone

Most of the political prisoners-patriots do not even know each other.

On June 27, three figurants in the "case of patriots" came out of the Minsk prison on Valadarski Street: historians Ales Zimnitski and Uladzimir Fiodarau, as well as Siarhei Strybulski.

Now Siarhei is trying to restore his phone, which was seized during the detention, and to find a job, since he lost his job during his time in prison. He was detained on March 21 and faced an accusation of "preparation of mass riots". Siarhei Strybulski tells Euroradio about detention, life behind bars and accusations.

– Can you remember how you were detained?

– I was leaving the store, some people ran up, put me on the ground, handcuffed me. When they used physical force while detaining me, but this is normal during detention.

– Much has been said about the use of physical pressure against the defendants of this case...

– No force was applied to me in the detention centre. Nor was there any torture.

– Did you expect the detention? Are there any suggestions why you?

– They charged me immediately on my arrival at home, where they were carrying out the search. This sounded like "preparation of mass riots". They found camouflage clothes, because I was doing airsoft, sport orienteering. Therefore, probably, there were questions. But there is nothing in this... Maybe it was because I had taken part in some actions near the KGB building, I stood somewhere with the [white-red-white] flag. This was what I thought. I have no relation to the "White Legion", besides, it does not exist already. Maybe, if take it for a joke, they should admit me to the White Legion now. I even do not know the majority of those who were detained.

– You spent several months behind bars, what about your work?

– Of course, I lost my work and there are some other difficulties. I need to restore the phone number; they also seized my tablets and telephones.

– How was the release itself?

– It was very unexpected. They invited me to come to an administrative department right from a walk. There they informed me that I was released under a subscription, without a lawyer, without anything. After an hour and a half I left, I met Aliaksandr Zimnitski at the exit.

– Did the whole story affect your health? In general, how were the conditions?

– I tried to lead a healthy life behind bars. I ate less sugar, did exercises at walks. The lawyer visited me twice a month. I was in KGB jail at first, then at Valadarski Street. I can not say that some place was better and some was worse. Each has its minuses and pluses. There are many interesting people there, especially in the KGB pre-trial detention center. But I did not meet any famous people there.

– And what about the case, the accusations?

– I still am accused of "creating an illegal armed formation." I am under travel restrictions, but I signed no non-disclosure agreement. My personal opinion is that they will release people one by one.

Siarhei Strybulski graduated from the Faculty of Social Technologies as a psychologist and social worker. He was engaged in construction works, worked as a cook, was a member of the BPF party and the For Freedom movement. On May 17 Siarhei met his 41st birthday behind bars.