Mother of a Political Prisoner: The Countdown Has Started

Aksana Ahurchykava - about the strength of the spirit of her daughter Anastasia Bulybenka.

From a letter from a mother to her daughter: "From your first push in my stomach, from the first cry and smile, I firmly knew: there was no one, no one “before you.” My life began with your appearance. You taught me to love selflessly and think not only about myself. You taught me to see the rainbow even at night. You are my daughter, my pride and happiness!

Thank you for choosing me as your mother, for allowing me to become your Guide in this world."

- I sent the letters in advance. As always, I painted the envelope and hung up another paper crane at home. I make cranes every week. There are already 45 of them. It means that my daughter has not been with me for 10 months already. I will make them until she returns, - Aksana Ahurchykava, the mother of political prisoner Anastasia Bulybenka, tells Salidarnasts.

The 45th crane appeared on the day Nastsia turned 20 years old. Anastasia Bulybenka is one of 12 persons involved in the high-profile "student case." They - young, desperate, and wise beyond their years - were destined to become an example of courage and bravery.

- The trial lasted from May 14 to July 16 with interruptions, children were periodically ill, but they were not tested for COVID-19. The prosecutor requested 2.5 years, practically the maximum term under this article (part 1 of article 342 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus "Organization or participation in group actions that grossly violate public order"). The court fully upheld the accusation and did not even give a discount of a month. The only thing, Hleb Fitzner, who pleaded guilty, was given 2 years. When the verdict was announced, everyone, of course, was stunned both from the fact that they gave almost the maximum and from the fact that they were sent to a colony and not to "home chemistry."

The last session was very chaotic, it literally lasted for half an hour. The judge read out the verdict very quickly and immediately told us to leave the room. Everyone was in shock, someone started crying.

The children were brought to the verdict in handcuffs, which were not removed. The guys sat with their hands chained behind their backs. After the verdict was announced, they all started clinking their handcuffs, and we heard the clinking very well.

When we began to leave the hall, each of the children tried to shout something to their relatives. In the end, Nastsia screamed very loudly: "Mom, I love you. Together forever!"

She screamed so that everyone turned around. It was an inhuman cry, she screamed like a wounded animal, - Aksana recalls, finding words with difficulty.

After that, Nastsia will tell her on a date that that cry and those tears were her last manifestation of weakness and despair. On the same day, July 16, all parents wrote a date request. Aksana was allowed to see her daughter in five days.

- I was with her on July 21 in the morning. Nastsia was in a good mood. There was not even a hint of tears. She said that the first shock after the verdict had passed, and she returned to the cell as a different person.

On a date, we talked about everything in the world, she sang a song to me. There was no breakdown, she said that she accepts reality, and even somewhere she is glad that this uncertainty is over. Before the verdict, we simply counted the days but did not understand when and how it would end. And now there is a verdict and the countdown has started, and these are not just days, but days before returning home! - says the interlocutor of the publication.

Nastsia remains in captivity for a year and three months (including the pre-trial detention center).

- Immediately I had a complete rejection. I did not understand what this period was, I calculated how many seasons would change - this is two more autumns, one New Year, two Nastsia's birthdays... She celebrated her 20th birthday in prison, and there she may celebrate her 21st birthday. All these periods seemed to me somehow exorbitant, I could not imagine them.

But at first, I didn't even have tears - I felt completely detached, days just passed by, and I fell into some kind of parallel reality. The psychologist found out that I was not crying and said that it was bad because I blocked my pain. Yes, I blocked it the moment I heard my daughter scream in court.

Then a series of unexpected events happened: our lawyer was forced to leave the country, the children began to be transported, despite the appeals filed. On the day when Nastsia was taken away, I somehow felt it and realized that she was no longer in Minsk.

Illia Trakhtenberg and Hleb Fitzner were taken to Mahilou. And Nastsia, Yana Arabeika and teacher Volha Filatchenkava were taken to Homel.

Then, I still did not understand where to write, where to run, where to go, I was completely at a loss - and this moment became a trigger for me. Finally, acceptance of reality came to me, my legs gave way - and I spent three weeks as if in a dream, - Aksana shares.

This is how Nastsia congratulated her mother on her birthday

On August 11, she brought the package to Homel for the first time.

- Everything is different there, different rules and regulations. Thanks to friends and acquaintances who help me, take the queue, take me around Homel. I go there once a week on Wednesdays, leave in the morning by train and I return late in the evening.

This week the parcel was a holiday one. We were not together was on her birthday for the first time. I gave Nastsia a T-shirt with a bear, postcards, and cakes as a gift. She asked for something sweet with a banana through a new lawyer. She also conveyed huge gratitude to everyone who sent many congratulations with the most sincere wishes.

Nastsia knows that an incredible number of people are next to her, think of her, and wish her all the best, - says her mother.

From a letter from a mother to her daughter: “There are such funny people who think that we can be separated. I will never let go of your hand. If you don’t see me, then I’m just deeper in your heart and soul.

See you soon, my dear daughter! I can't wait to hug you with my eyes, but, in the meantime, I hug you with all my heart. You are my hero. I love you very much, my darling. Your mother. Together forever!"