12
TWELVE
A WETALK.MEDIA SPECIAL PROJECT
This project is dedicated to the Belarusian students that were illegally arrested on the 12th of November 2020: Twelve innocent people, that have been locked up for over twelve months.
Project Twelve tells their stories, sheds light on this "black thursday“ of 2020 and wants to create a sharper focus on the student protests in Belarus.
This project is dedicated to the Belarusian students that were illegally arrested on the 12th of November 2020: Twelve innocent people, that have been locked up for over twelve months.
Project Twelve tells their stories, sheds light on this "black thursday“ of 2020 and wants to create a sharper focus on the student protests in Belarus.
This project was originally released in Russian on November 12. By the release of the English version on November 27 it became known that 11 more students are now political prisoners. Only in this short period of time, the overall number of recognized political prisoners has grown by 40 people.
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CONTEXT
Today, over 1000 people are imprisoned for political reasons in Belarus. The number is constantly growing. More than 60 of them are pupils and students. The repressions continue day by day. Every month, several dozen people are arrested for criminal offences and several hundred for administrative ones.
Since 2020, one can speak of a complete breakdown of the rule of law. You don’t have to have committed a crime to be arrested and imprisonend. Arrests and detentions are completely arbitrary — you don’t have to have committed a crime to be locked up. The investigating authorities fabricate evidence, invent cases, and the judicial authorities play along with them.
Complaints about the conditions of detention or inconsistencies in the cases are not considered as valid and are probably not even investigated any further. Not a single citizen of the country can fully defend themselves in court, and in case of political offences, there is no there is no prospect of acquittal or a fair trial.
Since 2020, one can speak of a complete breakdown of the rule of law. You don’t have to have committed a crime to be arrested and imprisonend. Arrests and detentions are completely arbitrary — you don’t have to have committed a crime to be locked up. The investigating authorities fabricate evidence, invent cases, and the judicial authorities play along with them.
Complaints about the conditions of detention or inconsistencies in the cases are not considered as valid and are probably not even investigated any further. Not a single citizen of the country can fully defend themselves in court, and in case of political offences, there is no there is no prospect of acquittal or a fair trial.
Difficult conditions have been created for political prisoners in a Belarusian prison. Convicts on administrative cases are not given parcels, they are kept in overcrowded cells and forced to sleep on the floor, without access to hygiene products (they do not have toilet paper, women are deprived of their own pads and being offered to tear their own clothes and make them on their own, which is impossible due to the fact that there are no spare clothes), medical assistance, even lawyers cannot get to them. Prison guards can beat them, deprive them of sleep and arbitrarily transfer them to "punishment cells" - cells without beds and special conditions in which those arrested for criminal and administrative cases are held together. In such cells there is no light, it is damp and cold, and the guards pour chlorinated detergents into the cells in order to create a suffocating smell for the whole day.
People sleep on the floor during arrest. Some people are forced to hold a hundred and more days without warm clothing, any hygiene and medical care.
Photo: Human Rights Center "Vyasna96"
For prisoners for criminal cases in pre-trial detention centers and penal colonies conditions are slightly better. Although even there the administration has complete power over the prisoners, and the prisoners are deprived of contact with the outside world, they do not see their relatives for years. Correspondence is artificially limited, access to lawyers is difficult due to artificial obstacles created by the administration. Prisoners do not have access to news and the latest independent press because almost all independent print press has been eliminated and prisoners do not have access to the Internet. Often the only source of news for prisoners is state TV channels, which distort information and present it in a biased manner. The only opportunity to see relatives is a court session — but even there they cannot communicate or even touch each other. Recently, political affairs are kept closed in order to eliminate this possibility as well.
In addition, the administration of correctional institutions have many levers of pressure — from arbitrary bans on correspondence and the press to transfers to punishment cells and "special" cells. These cells contain inmates who cooperate with the administration and carry out their instructions in order to create unbearable conditions for the prisoners. In addition, those who disagree with the pressure of the administration can be kept in places of deprivation of liberty indefinitely, constantly re-judging them under Act 411 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, "Malignant disobedience to the legal requirements of the administration of the correctional institution." There are cases when people were re-judged under this article for a total of ten or more years in addition to a short period (for example, a person served 13 instead of 2 years). This article is often applied to political prisoners who actively defend their rights in places of deprivation of liberty or whom the administration or some security forces simply disliked.
Political prisoners are put on the so-called "offences preventive list". This means that almost all the time when they are outside their cells they are forced to move in handcuffs, as well as perform several other degrading procedures — for example, to leave the cell and say that they are "prone to extremism and other destructive actions" every morning.
The rules for keeping prisoners are constantly changing. For example, they have recently banned non-relatives of prisoners from making transfers to the colony; in the pre-trial detention center they banned subscriptions to print publications; they also tightened the rules for postages. This was done, obviously, to further worsen the conditions of detention of prisoners, especially political prisoners.
Imprisonment for political reasons in Belarus is, without exaggeration, a kind of torture not only for prisoners, but also for their relatives. Deprived of communication and information about the state of their loved ones, they are forced to guess, wait for letters and information from lawyers. This is very exhausting for them, it takes a huge amount of money, time, effort and nerves.
In addition, the administration of correctional institutions have many levers of pressure — from arbitrary bans on correspondence and the press to transfers to punishment cells and "special" cells. These cells contain inmates who cooperate with the administration and carry out their instructions in order to create unbearable conditions for the prisoners. In addition, those who disagree with the pressure of the administration can be kept in places of deprivation of liberty indefinitely, constantly re-judging them under Act 411 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, "Malignant disobedience to the legal requirements of the administration of the correctional institution." There are cases when people were re-judged under this article for a total of ten or more years in addition to a short period (for example, a person served 13 instead of 2 years). This article is often applied to political prisoners who actively defend their rights in places of deprivation of liberty or whom the administration or some security forces simply disliked.
Political prisoners are put on the so-called "offences preventive list". This means that almost all the time when they are outside their cells they are forced to move in handcuffs, as well as perform several other degrading procedures — for example, to leave the cell and say that they are "prone to extremism and other destructive actions" every morning.
The rules for keeping prisoners are constantly changing. For example, they have recently banned non-relatives of prisoners from making transfers to the colony; in the pre-trial detention center they banned subscriptions to print publications; they also tightened the rules for postages. This was done, obviously, to further worsen the conditions of detention of prisoners, especially political prisoners.
Imprisonment for political reasons in Belarus is, without exaggeration, a kind of torture not only for prisoners, but also for their relatives. Deprived of communication and information about the state of their loved ones, they are forced to guess, wait for letters and information from lawyers. This is very exhausting for them, it takes a huge amount of money, time, effort and nerves.
12 NOVEMBER
Exactly a year ago, there were raids on student activists all over Minsk — eight girls and three boys were arrested. Two weeks later they came for another girl. The media called this day "Black Thursday for Belarusian students".
Exactly a year ago, there were raids on student activists all over Minsk — eight girls and three boys were arrested. Two weeks later they came for another girl. The media called this day "Black Thursday for Belarusian students".
November 12. At 9:20 am Alana Gebremariam writes that the security forces are breaking into her place. Ten more people were arrested within three hours. Several other people reported that security officials came to their home, but they managed to escape.
Information about detentions and searches of student activists in Minsk was updated in student chats and online channels.
By the evening it was reported that 11 people were detained, all of them were placed in the KGB pre-trial detention center. The first interrogations took place, and the lawyers could hardly get to the detained.
After 10 days, the arrest of the detainees was extended for two months. The students were charged under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus — "Organizing actions that grossly violate public order."
That day has divided the student movement into "before" and "after". It became clear that the authorities saw them as a threat and they were ready to fight the movement by any means. The repressions continued, and on November 27, Tanya Ekelchyk was arrested. Now there were 12 of them.
Ten students, one youth activist and one teacher. They all spoke out against the violence and lawlessness that swept our country in August 2020. And also of the idea that the authorities and administrations of universities should talk with students.
For that they were deprived of their freedom, the opportunity to study and see their families and friends.
November 12. At 9:20 am Alana Gebremariam writes that the security forces are breaking into her place. Ten more people were arrested within three hours. Several other people reported that security officials came to their home, but they managed to escape.
Information about detentions and searches of student activists in Minsk was updated in student chats and online channels.
By the evening it was reported that 11 people were detained, all of them were placed in the KGB pre-trial detention center. The first interrogations took place, and the lawyers could hardly get to the detained.
After 10 days, the arrest of the detainees was extended for two months. The students were charged under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus — "Organizing actions that grossly violate public order."
That day has divided the student movement into "before" and "after". It became clear that the authorities saw them as a threat and they were ready to fight the movement by any means. The repressions continued, and on November 27, Tanya Ekelchyk was arrested. Now there were 12 of them.
Ten students, one youth activist and one teacher. They all spoke out against the violence and lawlessness that swept our country in August 2020. And also of the idea that the authorities and administrations of universities should talk with students.
For that they were deprived of their freedom, the opportunity to study and see their families and friends.
Participant in student protest initiatives
I remember that day — the retreat began, or something like that. In the morning I found out that they began to take students. News began to appear about searches, and I left the apartment with a bare minimum of things.
I was searching the Internet at a cafe, and there I learned that Roma Bandarenka had died. He was beaten up for defending symbols of the protest in his residential area. In the evening we were running from the riot police again, during the action in memory of Roma, and they tried to stop us. Three days later there was the last general march. In the residential areas, people broke through to the place of Bondarenko’s death, and there the most massive arrests during the entire period of the marches happened. The riot police fired without warning. It was unclear what was happening with the students. After that — repressions, torture, the shut down of TUT. BY (a major news agency), a massive departure of my friends and acquaintances from the country, my departure. And the number of political prisoners grew rapidly: 200, 500, 800…
But it seems like it all started on that day, November 12th.
I was searching the Internet at a cafe, and there I learned that Roma Bandarenka had died. He was beaten up for defending symbols of the protest in his residential area. In the evening we were running from the riot police again, during the action in memory of Roma, and they tried to stop us. Three days later there was the last general march. In the residential areas, people broke through to the place of Bondarenko’s death, and there the most massive arrests during the entire period of the marches happened. The riot police fired without warning. It was unclear what was happening with the students. After that — repressions, torture, the shut down of TUT. BY (a major news agency), a massive departure of my friends and acquaintances from the country, my departure. And the number of political prisoners grew rapidly: 200, 500, 800…
But it seems like it all started on that day, November 12th.
Participant in student protest initiatives
I remember that day — the retreat began, or something like that. In the morning I found out that they began to take students. News began to appear about searches, and I left the apartment with a bare minimum of things.
I was searching the Internet at a cafe, and there I learned that Roma Bondarenko had died. He was beaten up for defending symbols of the protest in his residential area. In the evening we were running from the riot police again, during the action in memory of Roma, and they tried to stop us. Three days later there was the last general march. In the residential areas, people broke through to the place of Bondarenko’s death, and there the most massive arrests during the entire period of the marches happened. The riot police fired without warning. It was unclear what was happening with the students. After that — repressions, torture, the shut down of TUT. BY (a major news agency), a massive departure of my friends and acquaintances from the country, my departure. And the number of political prisoners grew rapidly: 200, 500, 800…
I was searching the Internet at a cafe, and there I learned that Roma Bondarenko had died. He was beaten up for defending symbols of the protest in his residential area. In the evening we were running from the riot police again, during the action in memory of Roma, and they tried to stop us. Three days later there was the last general march. In the residential areas, people broke through to the place of Bondarenko’s death, and there the most massive arrests during the entire period of the marches happened. The riot police fired without warning. It was unclear what was happening with the students. After that — repressions, torture, the shut down of TUT. BY (a major news agency), a massive departure of my friends and acquaintances from the country, my departure. And the number of political prisoners grew rapidly: 200, 500, 800…
But it seems like it all started on that day, November 12th.
12 PEOPLE
9 girls. 3 boys.
Average age — 23 years.
The oldest, Olga Filatchenkova, is 42 years old and has two children.
The youngest are Kasya, Yana, Ilya, Tanya and Asya — each 20 years old.
Average age — 23 years.
The oldest, Olga Filatchenkova, is 42 years old and has two children.
The youngest are Kasya, Yana, Ilya, Tanya and Asya — each 20 years old.
Selected from the last words of the "Student Case" defendants. Bulybenko, Orobeiko, Trakhtenberg, Yekelchik, Gebremariam, Syromolot, Fitzner, Grankovskaya, Budko, Filatchenkova are speaking.
By clicking on the photo, you will open the person’s page. Click on their first and last names to see a story about them on the PC version.
By clicking on the photo, you will open the person’s page. Click on their first and last names to see a story about them on the PC version.
ANASTASIYA BULYBENKA
Date of birth: September 23, 2001
Age: 20 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
For 2 years she had been studying at the BNTU at the Mechanical Engineering faculty. The first time she was arrested on October 17, 2020, she was sentenced to 10 days and expelled from the university. For the second time - November 12, 2020. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Bulybenko Anastasia Alexandrovna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Age: 20 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
For 2 years she had been studying at the BNTU at the Mechanical Engineering faculty. The first time she was arrested on October 17, 2020, she was sentenced to 10 days and expelled from the university. For the second time - November 12, 2020. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Bulybenko Anastasia Alexandrovna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Click on the name to see a story about her. Click again to return.
Asya is a dreamer, with great faith in justice and good. Courageous and loyal, funny and open to everything new. She is fond of drawing - during her time “outside the home” she found her own style. She really likes Remarque. Books for Asya became her salvation - different styles and genres, the opportunity to discuss with neighbours and compare views and perceptions.
She was very afraid to sleep after her sentence in October 2020. Anxiety became Asya's constant companion. She was shuddering from sudden sounds and noises.
She was very afraid to sleep after her sentence in October 2020. Anxiety became Asya's constant companion. She was shuddering from sudden sounds and noises.
There were days when everything seemed bleak, when it seemed hard to breathe. But Asya never gave up and said: "The main thing is not to let the prison into you, to look through the bars." She supports me in every letter, tries very hard to bring a smile, even though we agreed to write truthfully to each other about our lives apart.
Oksana, Nastya's mother
Oksana, Nastya's mother
YANA ARABEIKA
Date of birth: January 17, 2001
Age: 20 years old
Release date (if on time): 30/11/2022
She studied at BSPU on the speciality "Fine arts, drawing and folk art crafts". Participant of the Belarusian Students' Association. Arrested on November 12, 2020. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Orobeiko Yana Ivanovna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Age: 20 years old
Release date (if on time): 30/11/2022
She studied at BSPU on the speciality "Fine arts, drawing and folk art crafts". Participant of the Belarusian Students' Association. Arrested on November 12, 2020. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Orobeiko Yana Ivanovna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Click on the name to see a story about her. Click again to return.
Yana is extraordinary. Very sincere and vulnerable, gentle, but at the same time persistent and strong. I’m just crazy about her, honestly. She loves to knit and in general, all kinds of handicrafts, interesting books and facts. She also draws and makes all sorts of paper applications. For example, several times she invented something for me — on the birthday she made a cap in the Detention Center (with a cord!!), and also a hugging paper, that is, she measured the reach of her arms and made a thing with the help of stickers from fruits, so that I could imagine that we are hugging. She also loves to learn and teach.
She tries so hard to support me! She worries about me all the time, does not ask for anything, only asks how everyone is doing and whether I’m coping.
And in general, she was always very worried about everyone, that is … she is the kind of person who sincerely does not understand why all this brutality and cruelty is around.
She finds good things in little things, for example, she is glad that the correctional colony is not as scary as she thought and she is even more comfortable than in the pre-trial detention center.
Valera, Yana’s friend
She finds good things in little things, for example, she is glad that the correctional colony is not as scary as she thought and she is even more comfortable than in the pre-trial detention center.
Valera, Yana’s friend
ILLIA TRAKHTENBERG
Date of birth: October 10, 2001
Age: 20 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
Ilya is a student of the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics of the Belarusian State University. On October 30, he was illegally expelled because of his participation in the student movement. Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 15.
Address for letters: Trakhtenberg Ilya Vitalievich. IK-15, 212 013, Belarus, g. Mogilev, Veino, Slavgorodskoe sh. 183 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Age: 20 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
Ilya is a student of the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics of the Belarusian State University. On October 30, he was illegally expelled because of his participation in the student movement. Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 15.
Address for letters: Trakhtenberg Ilya Vitalievich. IK-15, 212 013, Belarus, g. Mogilev, Veino, Slavgorodskoe sh. 183 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Click on the name to see a story about her. Click again to return.
Ilya is very principled. He always defends his point of view. He is also an honest, funny, and simply a good person. Kind, self-confident. He values sincerity in people. He is very tolerant of people, never judges them and quickly forgives.
He is fond of architecture, cooking, music, memes. Since childhood, he has played the guitar, in high school he recorded his own album.
Ilya is an optimist, is very open-minded, you can discuss any topic with him.
He is fond of architecture, cooking, music, memes. Since childhood, he has played the guitar, in high school he recorded his own album.
Ilya is an optimist, is very open-minded, you can discuss any topic with him.
In prison, he approached his leisure time very responsibly. He reads a lot. He mentioned Dovlatov, Pelevin, Jeff Dyer, the history of Belarus and architecture magazines.
He solves sudoku, word puzzles, plays checkers/chess. Writes lyrics, does not forget to keep fit.
He solves sudoku, word puzzles, plays checkers/chess. Writes lyrics, does not forget to keep fit.
TATSIANA YEKELCHYK
Date of birth: November 1, 2001
Age: 20 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 15/12/2022
Student of the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics of BSU. Arrested on November 26, 2020, 14 days after the arrest of all the others. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Ekelchyk Tatiana Andreevna
246 035, Belarus, g. Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Age: 20 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 15/12/2022
Student of the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics of BSU. Arrested on November 26, 2020, 14 days after the arrest of all the others. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Ekelchyk Tatiana Andreevna
246 035, Belarus, g. Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Click on the name to see a story about her. Click again to return.
Tanya is very kind. She worried about the detained students from her faculty, she tried to help, contact relatives. She believes in mankind’s honesty. Tanya liked to study at the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics of BSU. She wants to continue her studies after getting out.
Tanya is very persistent and even stubborn. But perseverance serves her well now. In the pre-trial detention center and in the correctional colony, she does not lose her presence of mind, maintains her own rules of life, regularly trains and even remains a vegetarian. And her cellmates are joining her.
Tanya is very persistent and even stubborn. But perseverance serves her well now. In the pre-trial detention center and in the correctional colony, she does not lose her presence of mind, maintains her own rules of life, regularly trains and even remains a vegetarian. And her cellmates are joining her.
Tanya’s hobby is dancing. She has been dancing all her life. She started dancing in kindergarten and is still doing it. Her other hobby is sports, or rather, fitness. Tanya took part in the sports festival of the Belarusian State University, defended the honour of the faculty in powerlifting competitions, and took second place. In the pre-trial detention center, she suffered the most from lack of movement and physical exercise.
Tanya’s mother, Olga
Tanya’s mother, Olga
ALANA GEBREMARIAM
Date of birth: March 7, 1997
Age: 24 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
Graduate of the Dental Faculty of the Belarusian State Medical University. She could not find a job in her specialty because of being a civic activist. In August 2020, she joined the Coordination Council and became Tikhanovskaya’s assistant on youth affairs. Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Gebremariam Alana Tadege
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Age: 24 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
Graduate of the Dental Faculty of the Belarusian State Medical University. She could not find a job in her specialty because of being a civic activist. In August 2020, she joined the Coordination Council and became Tikhanovskaya’s assistant on youth affairs. Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Gebremariam Alana Tadege
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Click on the name to see a story about her. Click again to return.
Alana is very kind and in fact very vulnerable. That is, it might seem that she is some kind of fighter, but she never was. Alana is also, you know, a little capricious, but it’s cute. She was always very worried, upset, couldn’t sleep at night worrying how to make everything "perfect", and then she was upset because the ideal was unattainable.
We always had fun together, she understood my jokes, we chatted and giggled a lot.
We always had fun together, she understood my jokes, we chatted and giggled a lot.
And what always surprised me about her is that she really believed in the law. In the sense that she believed that everything must be done according to the law, so that the law is observed, and so on. That is, she was always for peace and unity, did not hate anyone and did not even despise anyone, she remained true to herself.
In short, Alana is extraordinary. Please, write her letters, she misses everyone and she is sometimes sad.
Valera, friend of Alana
In short, Alana is extraordinary. Please, write her letters, she misses everyone and she is sometimes sad.
Valera, friend of Alana
MARYIA KALENIK
Date of birth: June 1, 1998
Age: 23 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
Maria Viktorovna Kalenik is a student of the Belarusian State Academy of Arts. Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Kalenik Maria Viktorovna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian). allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Age: 23 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
Maria Viktorovna Kalenik is a student of the Belarusian State Academy of Arts. Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Kalenik Maria Viktorovna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian). allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Click on the name to see a story about her. Click again to return.
Masha is very sincere and she loves animals. As a teenager after classes, she went to the stable every day and looked after horses. And our cat would not go to bed without her if Masha returned home late. He sat opposite the front door and meowed loudly. Masha also loves small children and enjoys working with them.
It is very important for Masha to look neat no matter what. And she succeeds! Even after spending a year in prison, she looks like she just came from university classes. She says that this calms her down and that this is also her way of protesting.
Masha was afraid that she would be forgotten and left without support, without pills, vitamins, or everyday items.
It is very important for Masha to look neat no matter what. And she succeeds! Even after spending a year in prison, she looks like she just came from university classes. She says that this calms her down and that this is also her way of protesting.
Masha was afraid that she would be forgotten and left without support, without pills, vitamins, or everyday items.
She was afraid that she would be separated from her friend, whom she met in her cell, and that everything would be in vain and nothing would change, that the struggle had been in vain. She was afraid of the long term and she was afraid for the health of loved ones. She was afraid that she would have to carry heavy things in the correctional colony. At the same time, she surprises us with her resilience and tells little about her fears. Masha is going to serve her term steadfastly and all the time she cheers her loved ones, but when in a bad mood she does not even write a letter.
KSENIA SYRAMALOT
Date of birth: December 19, 1999
Age: 21 years
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
Student of the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences of the Belarusian State University, Press Secretary of the Belarusian Students' Association, volunteer of the Human Rights Center "Viasna". Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Syramalot Ksenia Alexandrovna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian). allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Age: 21 years
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
Student of the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences of the Belarusian State University, Press Secretary of the Belarusian Students' Association, volunteer of the Human Rights Center "Viasna". Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Syramalot Ksenia Alexandrovna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian). allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Click on the name to see a story about her. Click again to return.
Ksenia is very pleasant to listen to. This is a person who creates discussion and explains his arguments as clearly as possible. I remember that even the topic of face creams or relationships turned into some kind of public debate, because she always tried to explain her position as accurately and clearly as possible. She is very interesting to speak with. She is smart and it seems to me that her kindness and courage were a deliberate, intelligent choice — every day she decided what kind of person she should be.
A person of goodness! She knows how to support, knows how to be there or how to say the right words. It still seems to me that in her heart there was a place for everyone. Her support was honest, again it is about her choice.
A person of goodness! She knows how to support, knows how to be there or how to say the right words. It still seems to me that in her heart there was a place for everyone. Her support was honest, again it is about her choice.
This kind of honesty helps in creativity. I was lucky to have read several chapters of her prose, as well as poems from "Maladost". It is sad that the magazine did not show solidarity with one of its authors. But she was hardly expecting it.
Ksenia for me is an example of education, youth and freedom.
Ksenia for me is an example of education, youth and freedom.
YAHOR KANETSKI
Date of birth: June 28, 1999
Age: 22 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
Student of the Faculty of Biology of the Belarusian State University, a member of the Belarusian Students' Association, an activist of the "Free Trade Union". Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Kanetski Egor Olegovich
IK-3, 211 300, Belarus, v. Vitba, Vitebsk region, Vitebsk district (only russian or belarusian)
Age: 22 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
Student of the Faculty of Biology of the Belarusian State University, a member of the Belarusian Students' Association, an activist of the "Free Trade Union". Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Kanetski Egor Olegovich
IK-3, 211 300, Belarus, v. Vitba, Vitebsk region, Vitebsk district (only russian or belarusian)
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Egor is a simple intelligent guy with a strong sense of justice. Independent in the fullest sense of the word: from the age of 15 he lived and studied alone in Minsk. My son says that a person should be able to live in any condition. He knows how to cook, organizes his life himself. He likes to cook meat, experiments with spices. Once he asked his grandmother for a recipe for cottage cheese cookies.
He travels whenever possible. During the time of imprisonment, he was "addicted" to reading books and writing letters. My son is holding it together, he is calm. There is a lot of positivity in his letters, he tries to calm us down, to joke. I call his letters "psychotherapeutic"!
Alla, Egor’s mother
Alla, Egor’s mother
HLEB FITSNER
Date of birth: March 1, 1999
Age: 22 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/05/2022 (approx.)
A fourth-year student at the Minsk State Linguistic University. Arrested on November 12. He is the only one who pleaded guilty, but he did not incriminate other defendants. Sentenced to 2 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 17.
Address for letters:
Fitsner Gleb Dmitrievich
IK-17, 213 004, Belarus, Shklov, ul. 1st Factory, 8 (allowed only russian or belarusian language)
Age: 22 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/05/2022 (approx.)
A fourth-year student at the Minsk State Linguistic University. Arrested on November 12. He is the only one who pleaded guilty, but he did not incriminate other defendants. Sentenced to 2 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 17.
Address for letters:
Fitsner Gleb Dmitrievich
IK-17, 213 004, Belarus, Shklov, ul. 1st Factory, 8 (allowed only russian or belarusian language)
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He is a person who somehow unites people imperceptibly. This is a guy with clear personal ambitions who is ready to work and defend them. A person with an analytical mindset, a pillar of strength. Gleb is very interested in economics and finance, it is always very interesting to talk and argue with him. He has a wide knowledge, we even jokingly call him "an expert in everything".
He also has a very kind heart. He never had conflicts with teachers, and if there were any disputes, then Gleb behaved extremely diplomatically. For all his serious image, Gleb is a person whose ability to laugh at himself can only be envied.
He also has a very kind heart. He never had conflicts with teachers, and if there were any disputes, then Gleb behaved extremely diplomatically. For all his serious image, Gleb is a person whose ability to laugh at himself can only be envied.
Once, on March 8, Gleb was late for a class. He came with 14 boxes of chocolates and the words "You are the best thing that happened in my life." Gleb, if you ever read this, you should know that you are the very best thing that happened to us! (* tears of 13 girls *) That is why we want to call him not just a "groupmate", but a real friend.
VIKTORYIA HRANKOUSKAYA
Date of birth: 5 July 1996
Age: 25 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
A former student of the Belarusian National Technical University who was expelled during the autumn protests in Belarus. Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Hrankouskaya Victoria Ivanovna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Age: 25 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
A former student of the Belarusian National Technical University who was expelled during the autumn protests in Belarus. Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Hrankouskaya Victoria Ivanovna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
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Vika is a very kind, sympathetic and caring person, always ready to help. She is incredibly jolly and cheerful. Everyone who was in the courtroom noted that no one smiled more than Vika did. She kept eyeing people and making faces. Vika is extremely stubborn. An ardent fighter for justice, which has repeatedly manifested itself at the university. She is alive. This is the first thing that comes to my mind. Or even better is the word "spark".
Very autonomous and independent, but at the same time very tender in any kind of close relationships. It’s great to be friends with Vika. She always shares her emotions and experiences and she will always listen to you with pleasure and support you.
Very autonomous and independent, but at the same time very tender in any kind of close relationships. It’s great to be friends with Vika. She always shares her emotions and experiences and she will always listen to you with pleasure and support you.
Vika loves Harry Potter. She read all the books and watched every part of the film a million times. She loves something magical, where good triumphs over evil. Vika reads a lot in prison.
After being detained for 24 hours in September, for a long time she often turned around in the streets. All the time it seemed to her that people were following her. But who among the Belarusians did not feel something similar?
After being detained for 24 hours in September, for a long time she often turned around in the streets. All the time it seemed to her that people were following her. But who among the Belarusians did not feel something similar?
KASIA BUDZKO
Date of birth: May 25, 2001
Age: 20 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
An activist, participant of the Belarusian Students' Association, student of the Belarusian State Pedagogical University. Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Budzko Kasia Vitalievna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Age: 20 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
An activist, participant of the Belarusian Students' Association, student of the Belarusian State Pedagogical University. Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Budzko Kasia Vitalievna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
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Kasia is super-duper. She is very active, kind, but at the same time very modest. Any social action costs her a lot, she always thinks very carefully about how to behave with whom, what to say. She loves a lot of things: drawing, riding a bike, rolls with spinach, nature, her family, friends, watching YouTube and TikTok, watching art-house films, lentil cutlets, tasteless chips. It is difficult to mention everything, there wouldn’t be enough space.
She did not want to be in a correctional colony. She was always afraid of the very situation in which she has found herself. But perhaps most of all she was afraid of violence. Kasia always said that she would not resist if anything happened because she didn’t want to be hurt.
She did not want to be in a correctional colony. She was always afraid of the very situation in which she has found herself. But perhaps most of all she was afraid of violence. Kasia always said that she would not resist if anything happened because she didn’t want to be hurt.
And she is also afraid for her future, she is very worried that she has lost 2.5 years and does not understand what happens next.
Kase does not like being in the correctional colony. She writes that it sucks there: you have to do something all the time, and you don’t have much time for yourself.
Kase does not like being in the correctional colony. She writes that it sucks there: you have to do something all the time, and you don’t have much time for yourself.
VOLHA FILATCHANKAVA
Date of birth: April 6, 1979
Age: 42 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
Teacher at BSUIR. A participant in the video message of BSUIR "Teachers Against Violence", took part in the strike. Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Filatchankava Olga Alekseevna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Age: 42 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
Teacher at BSUIR. A participant in the video message of BSUIR "Teachers Against Violence", took part in the strike. Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Filatchankava Olga Alekseevna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
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Olga is an educated person, but with her own view of things. Integrity and consistency in words and actions are inherent traits of her character. And also — independence in opinion, honesty, decency and justice in actions, respect for the thoughts, feelings and choices of other people. Olga did not even download e-books from the Internet for free, but bought them honestly, and informed the authors so that they knew and were not deceived. She wants these qualities to be not an exception, but a rule in our society.
But along with this, she is distinguished by stubbornness and some arrogance. It is very difficult to argue with her — she knows better and is always confident in herself. But you can convince her in some things.
But along with this, she is distinguished by stubbornness and some arrogance. It is very difficult to argue with her — she knows better and is always confident in herself. But you can convince her in some things.
Olya is a very well-rounded, interested, talented person. The sphere of her hobbies is largely connected with the traditional culture of Belarusians: authentic songs, scenic dances, folk traditions, holidays, rituals. She tried to sow elements of the traditions through wearing a costume with a special knitted belt, and made a ‘kalyadnaya zorka' - a group which went from house to house, singing carols and wishing the owners all kinds of prosperity.
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ANASTASIYA BULYBENKA
Date of birth: September 23, 2001
Age: 20 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
For 2 years she had been studying at the BNTU at the Mechanical Engineering faculty. The first time she was arrested on October 17, 2020, she was sentenced to 10 days and expelled from the university. For the second time — November 12, 2020. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Bulybenko Anastasia Alexandrovna
246 035, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (letters allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Age: 20 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
For 2 years she had been studying at the BNTU at the Mechanical Engineering faculty. The first time she was arrested on October 17, 2020, she was sentenced to 10 days and expelled from the university. For the second time — November 12, 2020. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Bulybenko Anastasia Alexandrovna
246 035, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (letters allowed only in russian or belarusian).
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Mother about Asya
Asya is a dreamer, with great faith in justice and good. Courageous and loyal, funny and open to everything new. She is fond of drawing — during her time "outside the home" she found her own style. She really likes Remarque. Books for Asya became her salvation — different styles and genres, the opportunity to discuss with neighbours and compare views and perceptions.
She was very afraid to sleep after her sentence in October 2020. Anxiety became Asya’s constant companion. She was shuddering from sudden sounds and noises.
There were days when everything seemed bleak, when it seemed hard to breathe. But Asya never gave up and said: "The main thing is not to let the prison into you, to look through the bars." She supports me in every letter, tries very hard to bring a smile, even though we agreed to write truthfully to each other about our lives apart.
Oksana, Nastya’s mother
She was very afraid to sleep after her sentence in October 2020. Anxiety became Asya’s constant companion. She was shuddering from sudden sounds and noises.
There were days when everything seemed bleak, when it seemed hard to breathe. But Asya never gave up and said: "The main thing is not to let the prison into you, to look through the bars." She supports me in every letter, tries very hard to bring a smile, even though we agreed to write truthfully to each other about our lives apart.
Oksana, Nastya’s mother
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YANA ARABEIKA
Date of birth: January 17, 2001
Age: 20 years old
Release date (if on time): 30/11/2022
She studied at BSPU on the speciality "Fine arts, drawing and folk art crafts". Participant of the Belarusian Students' Association. Arrested on November 12, 2020. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Arabeika Yana Ivanovna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Age: 20 years old
Release date (if on time): 30/11/2022
She studied at BSPU on the speciality "Fine arts, drawing and folk art crafts". Participant of the Belarusian Students' Association. Arrested on November 12, 2020. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Arabeika Yana Ivanovna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
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Друг Яны про неё
Yana is extraordinary. Very sincere and vulnerable, gentle, but at the same time persistent and strong. I’m just crazy about her, honestly. She loves to knit and in general, all kinds of handicrafts, interesting books and facts. She also draws and makes all sorts of paper applications. For example, several times she invented something for me — on the birthday she made a cap in the Detention Center (with a cord!!), and also a hugging paper, that is, she measured the reach of her arms and made a thing with the help of stickers from fruits, so that I could imagine that we are hugging. She also loves to learn and teach.
She tries so hard to support me! She worries about me all the time, does not ask for anything, only asks how everyone is doing and whether I’m coping.
And in general, she was always very worried about everyone, that is … she is the kind of person who sincerely does not understand why all this brutality and cruelty is around, if you have an option to live without them.
She finds good things in little things, for example, she is glad that the correctional colony is not as scary as she thought and she is even more comfortable than in the pre-trial detention center.
Valera, Yana’s friend
She tries so hard to support me! She worries about me all the time, does not ask for anything, only asks how everyone is doing and whether I’m coping.
And in general, she was always very worried about everyone, that is … she is the kind of person who sincerely does not understand why all this brutality and cruelty is around, if you have an option to live without them.
She finds good things in little things, for example, she is glad that the correctional colony is not as scary as she thought and she is even more comfortable than in the pre-trial detention center.
Valera, Yana’s friend
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ILLIA TRAKHTENBERG
Date of birth: October 10, 2001
Age: 20 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
Ilya Vitalievich Trakhtenberg is a student of the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics of the Belarusian State University. On October 30, he was illegally expelled because of his participation in the student movement. Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 15.
Address for letters:
Trakhtenberg Ilya Vitalievich
IK-15, 212 013, Belarus, g. Mogilev, Veino, Slavgorodskoe sh. 183 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Age: 20 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
Ilya Vitalievich Trakhtenberg is a student of the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics of the Belarusian State University. On October 30, he was illegally expelled because of his participation in the student movement. Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 15.
Address for letters:
Trakhtenberg Ilya Vitalievich
IK-15, 212 013, Belarus, g. Mogilev, Veino, Slavgorodskoe sh. 183 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
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Ilya: who is he
Ilya is very principled. He always defends his point of view. He is also an honest, funny, and simply a good person. Kind, self-confident. He values sincerity in people. He is very tolerant of people, never judges them and quickly forgives.
He is fond of architecture, cooking, music, memes. Since childhood, he has played the guitar, in high school he recorded his own album.
Ilya is an optimist, is very open-minded, you can discuss any topic with him.
In prison, he approached his leisure time very responsibly. He reads a lot. He mentioned Dovlatov, Pelevin, Jeff Dyer, the history of Belarus and architecture magazines.
He solves sudoku, word puzzles, plays checkers/chess. Writes lyrics, does not forget to keep fit.
He is fond of architecture, cooking, music, memes. Since childhood, he has played the guitar, in high school he recorded his own album.
Ilya is an optimist, is very open-minded, you can discuss any topic with him.
In prison, he approached his leisure time very responsibly. He reads a lot. He mentioned Dovlatov, Pelevin, Jeff Dyer, the history of Belarus and architecture magazines.
He solves sudoku, word puzzles, plays checkers/chess. Writes lyrics, does not forget to keep fit.
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TATSIANA YEKELCHYK
Date of birth: November 1, 2001
Age: 20 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 15/12/2022
Student of the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics of BSU. Arrested on November 26, 2020, 14 days after the arrest of all the others. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Ekelchyk Tatiana Andreevna
246 035, Belarus, g. Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Age: 20 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 15/12/2022
Student of the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics of BSU. Arrested on November 26, 2020, 14 days after the arrest of all the others. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Ekelchyk Tatiana Andreevna
246 035, Belarus, g. Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
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Story about Tanya
Tanya is very kind. She worried about the detained students from her faculty, she tried to help, contact relatives. She believes in mankind’s honesty. Tanya liked to study at the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics of BSU. She wants to continue her studies after getting out.
Tanya is very persistent and even stubborn. But perseverance serves her well now. In the pre-trial detention center and in the correctional colony, she does not lose her presence of mind, maintains her own rules of life, regularly trains and even remains a vegetarian. And her cellmates are joining her.
Tanya’s hobby is dancing. She has been dancing all her life. She started dancing in kindergarten and is still doing it. Her other hobby is sports, or rather, fitness. Tanya took part in the sports festival of the Belarusian State University, defended the honour of the faculty in powerlifting competitions, and took second place. In the pre-trial detention center, she suffered the most from lack of movement and physical exercise.
Olga, Tanya’a mother
Tanya is very persistent and even stubborn. But perseverance serves her well now. In the pre-trial detention center and in the correctional colony, she does not lose her presence of mind, maintains her own rules of life, regularly trains and even remains a vegetarian. And her cellmates are joining her.
Tanya’s hobby is dancing. She has been dancing all her life. She started dancing in kindergarten and is still doing it. Her other hobby is sports, or rather, fitness. Tanya took part in the sports festival of the Belarusian State University, defended the honour of the faculty in powerlifting competitions, and took second place. In the pre-trial detention center, she suffered the most from lack of movement and physical exercise.
Olga, Tanya’a mother
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ALANA GEBREMARIAM
Date of birth: March 7, 1997
Age: 24 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
Graduate of the Dental Faculty of the Belarusian State Medical University. She could not find a job in her specialty because of being a civic activist. In August 2020, she joined the Coordination Council and became Tikhanovskaya’s assistant on youth affairs. Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Gebremariam Alana Tadege
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Age: 24 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
Graduate of the Dental Faculty of the Belarusian State Medical University. She could not find a job in her specialty because of being a civic activist. In August 2020, she joined the Coordination Council and became Tikhanovskaya’s assistant on youth affairs. Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Gebremariam Alana Tadege
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
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Story about Alana
Alana is very kind and in fact very vulnerable. That is, it might seem that she is some kind of fighter, but she never was. Alana is also, you know, a little capricious, but it’s cute. She was always very worried, upset, couldn’t sleep at night worrying how to make everything "perfect", and then she was upset because the ideal was unattainable.
We always had fun together, she understood my jokes, we chatted and giggled a lot.
And what always surprised me about her is that she really believed in the law. In the sense that she believed that everything must be done according to the law, so that the law is observed, and so on. That is, she was always for peace and unity, did not hate anyone and did not even despise anyone, she remained true to herself.
In short, Alana is extraordinary. Please, write her letters, she misses everyone and she is sometimes sad.
Valera, friend of Alana
We always had fun together, she understood my jokes, we chatted and giggled a lot.
And what always surprised me about her is that she really believed in the law. In the sense that she believed that everything must be done according to the law, so that the law is observed, and so on. That is, she was always for peace and unity, did not hate anyone and did not even despise anyone, she remained true to herself.
In short, Alana is extraordinary. Please, write her letters, she misses everyone and she is sometimes sad.
Valera, friend of Alana
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MARYIA KALENIK
Date of birth: June 1, 1998
Age: 23 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
Maria Viktorovna Kalenik is a student of the Belarusian State Academy of Arts. Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Kalenik Maria Viktorovna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian). allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Age: 23 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
Maria Viktorovna Kalenik is a student of the Belarusian State Academy of Arts. Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Kalenik Maria Viktorovna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian). allowed only in russian or belarusian).
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Story about Masha
Masha is very sincere and she loves animals. As a teenager after classes, she went to the stable every day and looked after horses. And our cat would not go to bed without her if Masha returned home late. He sat opposite the front door and meowed loudly. Masha also loves small children and enjoys working with them.
It is very important for Masha to look neat no matter what. And she succeeds! Even after spending a year in prison, she looks like she just came from university classes. She says that this calms her down and that this is also her way of protesting.
Masha was afraid that she would be forgotten and left without support, without pills, vitamins, or everyday items.
She was afraid that she would be separated from her friend, whom she met in her cell, and that everything would be in vain and nothing would change, that the struggle had been in vain. She was afraid of the long term and she was afraid for the health of loved ones. She was afraid that she would have to carry heavy things in the correctional colony. At the same time, she surprises us with her resilience and tells little about her fears. Masha is going to serve her term steadfastly and all the time she cheers her loved ones, but when in a bad mood she does not even write a letter.
It is very important for Masha to look neat no matter what. And she succeeds! Even after spending a year in prison, she looks like she just came from university classes. She says that this calms her down and that this is also her way of protesting.
Masha was afraid that she would be forgotten and left without support, without pills, vitamins, or everyday items.
She was afraid that she would be separated from her friend, whom she met in her cell, and that everything would be in vain and nothing would change, that the struggle had been in vain. She was afraid of the long term and she was afraid for the health of loved ones. She was afraid that she would have to carry heavy things in the correctional colony. At the same time, she surprises us with her resilience and tells little about her fears. Masha is going to serve her term steadfastly and all the time she cheers her loved ones, but when in a bad mood she does not even write a letter.
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KSENIA SYRAMALOT
Date of birth: December 19, 1999
Age: 21 years
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
Student of the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences of the Belarusian State University, Press Secretary of the Belarusian Students' Association, volunteer of the Human Rights Center "Viasna". Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Syramalot Ksenia Alexandrovna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian). allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Age: 21 years
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
Student of the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences of the Belarusian State University, Press Secretary of the Belarusian Students' Association, volunteer of the Human Rights Center "Viasna". Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Syramalot Ksenia Alexandrovna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian). allowed only in russian or belarusian).
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Story about Ksusha
Ksenia is very pleasant to listen to. This is a person who creates discussion and explains his arguments as clearly as possible. I remember that even the topic of face creams or relationships turned into some kind of public debate, because she always tried to explain her position as accurately and clearly as possible. She is very interesting to speak with. She is smart and it seems to me that her kindness and courage were a deliberate, intelligent choice — every day she decided what kind of person she should be.
A person of goodness! She knows how to support, knows how to be there or how to say the right words. It still seems to me that in her heart there was a place for everyone. Her support was honest, again it is about her choice.
This kind of honesty helps in creativity. I was lucky to have read several chapters of her prose, as well as poems from "Maladost". It is sad that the magazine did not show solidarity with one of its authors. But she was hardly expecting it.
Ksenia for me is an example of education, youth and freedom.
A person of goodness! She knows how to support, knows how to be there or how to say the right words. It still seems to me that in her heart there was a place for everyone. Her support was honest, again it is about her choice.
This kind of honesty helps in creativity. I was lucky to have read several chapters of her prose, as well as poems from "Maladost". It is sad that the magazine did not show solidarity with one of its authors. But she was hardly expecting it.
Ksenia for me is an example of education, youth and freedom.
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YAHOR KANETSKI
Date of birth: June 28, 1999
Age: 22 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
Student of the Faculty of Biology of the Belarusian State University, a member of the Belarusian Students' Association, an activist of the "Free Trade Union". Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Kanetski Egor Olegovich
IK-3, 211 300, Belarus, v. Vitba, Vitebsk region, Vitebsk district (only russian or belarusian)
Age: 22 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
Student of the Faculty of Biology of the Belarusian State University, a member of the Belarusian Students' Association, an activist of the "Free Trade Union". Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Kanetski Egor Olegovich
IK-3, 211 300, Belarus, v. Vitba, Vitebsk region, Vitebsk district (only russian or belarusian)
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Mother about Yahor
Egor is a simple intelligent guy with a strong sense of justice. Independent in the fullest sense of the word: from the age of 15 he lived and studied alone in Minsk. My son says that a person should be able to live in any condition. He knows how to cook, organizes his life himself. He likes to cook meat, experiments with spices. Once he asked his grandmother for a recipe for cottage cheese cookies.
He travels whenever possible. During the time of imprisonment, he was "addicted" to reading books and writing letters. My son is holding it together, he is calm. There is a lot of positivity in his letters, he tries to calm us down, to joke. I call his letters "psychotherapeutic"!
Alla, Egor’s mother
He travels whenever possible. During the time of imprisonment, he was "addicted" to reading books and writing letters. My son is holding it together, he is calm. There is a lot of positivity in his letters, he tries to calm us down, to joke. I call his letters "psychotherapeutic"!
Alla, Egor’s mother
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HLEB FITSNER
Date of birth: March 1, 1999
Age: 22 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/05/2022 (approx.)
A fourth-year student at the Minsk State Linguistic University. Arrested on November 12. He is the only one who pleaded guilty, but he did not incriminate other defendants. Sentenced to 2 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 17.
Address for letters:
Fitsner Gleb Dmitrievich
IK-17, 213 004, Belarus, Shklov, ul. 1st Factory, 8 (allowed only russian or belarusian language)
Age: 22 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/05/2022 (approx.)
A fourth-year student at the Minsk State Linguistic University. Arrested on November 12. He is the only one who pleaded guilty, but he did not incriminate other defendants. Sentenced to 2 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 17.
Address for letters:
Fitsner Gleb Dmitrievich
IK-17, 213 004, Belarus, Shklov, ul. 1st Factory, 8 (allowed only russian or belarusian language)
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Single groups tell about Hleb
He is a person who somehow unites people imperceptibly. This is a guy with clear personal ambitions who is ready to work and defend them. A person with an analytical mindset, a pillar of strength. Gleb is very interested in economics and finance, it is always very interesting to talk and argue with him. He has a wide knowledge, we even jokingly call him "an expert in everything".
He also has a very kind heart. He never had conflicts with teachers, and if there were any disputes, then Gleb behaved extremely diplomatically. For all his serious image, Gleb is a person whose ability to laugh at himself can only be envied.
Once, on March 8, Gleb was late for a class. He came with 14 boxes of chocolates and the words "You are the best thing that happened in my life." Gleb, if you ever read this, you should know that you are the very best thing that happened to us! (* tears of 13 girls *) That is why we want to call him not just a "groupmate", but a real friend.
He also has a very kind heart. He never had conflicts with teachers, and if there were any disputes, then Gleb behaved extremely diplomatically. For all his serious image, Gleb is a person whose ability to laugh at himself can only be envied.
Once, on March 8, Gleb was late for a class. He came with 14 boxes of chocolates and the words "You are the best thing that happened in my life." Gleb, if you ever read this, you should know that you are the very best thing that happened to us! (* tears of 13 girls *) That is why we want to call him not just a "groupmate", but a real friend.
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VIKTORYIA HRANKOUSKAYA
Date of birth: 5 July 1996
Age: 25 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
A former student of the Belarusian National Technical University who was expelled during the autumn protests in Belarus. Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Hrankouskaya Victoria Ivanovna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Age: 25 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
A former student of the Belarusian National Technical University who was expelled during the autumn protests in Belarus. Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Hrankouskaya Victoria Ivanovna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
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Story about Vika
Vika is a very kind, sympathetic and caring person, always ready to help. She is incredibly jolly and cheerful. Everyone who was in the courtroom noted that no one smiled more than Vika did. She kept eyeing people and making faces. Vika is extremely stubborn. An ardent fighter for justice, which has repeatedly manifested itself at the university. She is alive. This is the first thing that comes to my mind. Or even better is the word "spark".
Very autonomous and independent, but at the same time very tender in any kind of close relationships. It’s great to be friends with Vika. She always shares her emotions and experiences and she will always listen to you with pleasure and support you.
Vika loves Harry Potter. She read all the books and watched every part of the film a million times. She loves something magical, where good triumphs over evil. Vika reads a lot in prison.
After being detained for 24 hours in September, for a long time she often turned around in the streets. All the time it seemed to her that people were following her. But who among the Belarusians did not feel something similar?
Very autonomous and independent, but at the same time very tender in any kind of close relationships. It’s great to be friends with Vika. She always shares her emotions and experiences and she will always listen to you with pleasure and support you.
Vika loves Harry Potter. She read all the books and watched every part of the film a million times. She loves something magical, where good triumphs over evil. Vika reads a lot in prison.
After being detained for 24 hours in September, for a long time she often turned around in the streets. All the time it seemed to her that people were following her. But who among the Belarusians did not feel something similar?
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KASIA BUDZKO
Date of birth: May 25, 2001
Age: 20 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
An activist, participant of the Belarusian Students' Association, student of the Belarusian State Pedagogical University. Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Budzko Kasia Vitalievna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Age: 20 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
An activist, participant of the Belarusian Students' Association, student of the Belarusian State Pedagogical University. Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Budzko Kasia Vitalievna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
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Story about Kasia
Kasia is super-duper. She is very active, kind, but at the same time very modest. Any social action costs her a lot, she always thinks very carefully about how to behave with whom, what to say. She loves a lot of things: drawing, riding a bike, rolls with spinach, nature, her family, friends, watching YouTube and TikTok, watching art-house films, lentil cutlets, tasteless chips. It is difficult to mention everything, there wouldn’t be enough space.
She did not want to be in a correctional colony. She was always afraid of the very situation in which she has found herself. But perhaps most of all she was afraid of violence. Kasia always said that she would not resist if anything happened because she didn’t want to be hurt.
And she is also afraid for her future, she is very worried that she has lost 2.5 years and does not understand what happens next.
Kase does not like being in the correctional colony. She writes that it sucks there: you have to do something all the time, and you don’t have much time for yourself.
She did not want to be in a correctional colony. She was always afraid of the very situation in which she has found herself. But perhaps most of all she was afraid of violence. Kasia always said that she would not resist if anything happened because she didn’t want to be hurt.
And she is also afraid for her future, she is very worried that she has lost 2.5 years and does not understand what happens next.
Kase does not like being in the correctional colony. She writes that it sucks there: you have to do something all the time, and you don’t have much time for yourself.
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VOLHA FILATCHANKAVA
Date of birth: April 6, 1979
Age: 42 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
Teacher at BSUIR. A participant in the video message of BSUIR "Teachers Against Violence", took part in the strike. Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Filatchankava Olga Alekseevna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
Age: 42 years old
Release date (according to the imprisonment term): 30/11/2022
Teacher at BSUIR. A participant in the video message of BSUIR "Teachers Against Violence", took part in the strike. Arrested on November 12. Sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. Contained in Correctional Facility No. 4.
Address for letters:
Filatchankava Olga Alekseevna
246 035, Belarus, Gomel, ul. Antoshkina, 3, IK-4 (allowed only in russian or belarusian).
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Story about Olga
Olga is an educated person, but with her own view of things. Integrity and consistency in words and actions are inherent traits of her character. And also — independence in opinion, honesty, decency and justice in actions, respect for the thoughts, feelings and choices of other people. Olga did not even download e-books from the Internet for free, but bought them honestly, and informed the authors so that they knew and were not deceived. She wants these qualities to be not an exception, but a rule in our society.
But along with this, she is distinguished by stubbornness and some arrogance. It is very difficult to argue with her — she knows better and is always confident in herself. But you can convince her in some things.
Olya is a very well-rounded, interested, talented person. The sphere of her hobbies is largely connected with the traditional culture of Belarusians: authentic songs, scenic dances, folk traditions, holidays, rituals. She tried to sow elements of the traditions through wearing a costume with a special knitted belt, and made a ‘kalyadnaya zorka' - a group which went from house to house, singing carols and wishing the owners all kinds of prosperity.
But along with this, she is distinguished by stubbornness and some arrogance. It is very difficult to argue with her — she knows better and is always confident in herself. But you can convince her in some things.
Olya is a very well-rounded, interested, talented person. The sphere of her hobbies is largely connected with the traditional culture of Belarusians: authentic songs, scenic dances, folk traditions, holidays, rituals. She tried to sow elements of the traditions through wearing a costume with a special knitted belt, and made a ‘kalyadnaya zorka' - a group which went from house to house, singing carols and wishing the owners all kinds of prosperity.
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12 MONTHS
Fragments of correspondence put together in a story about how 12 brave people spend a year in prison.
NOVEMBER
On November 12, dozens of arrests and searches of youth and student activists took place. Several activists were not at home and managed to escape. But most of them were detained.
All that is known is that the searches are carried out by the KGB, and the detained were placed in the KGB pre-trial detention center. The first interrogations took place, and the lawyers could hardly get to the detained.
After 10 days, the arrest of the detainees was extended for two months. The students were charged under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus — "Organizing actions that grossly violate public order."
All that is known is that the searches are carried out by the KGB, and the detained were placed in the KGB pre-trial detention center. The first interrogations took place, and the lawyers could hardly get to the detained.
After 10 days, the arrest of the detainees was extended for two months. The students were charged under Part 1 of Article 342 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus — "Organizing actions that grossly violate public order."
That day has divided the student movement into "before" and "after". It became clear that the authorities saw it as a threat and they were ready to fight the movement by any means. The repressions continued, and on November 27, Tanya Yekelchik was arrested.
All the detained activists were later transferred to pre-trial detention center No. 1 on Volodarsky Street, in the center of Minsk. Letters began to arrive regularly from there.
All the detained activists were later transferred to pre-trial detention center No. 1 on Volodarsky Street, in the center of Minsk. Letters began to arrive regularly from there.
November 26, 2020, Viktoryia Hrankouskaya
Thank you for still being by my side. And that you do not forget me and that you have not abandoned me.
How's it going at the university? Could you please clarify how to withdraw? I still haven't done it.
But I hope that I will soon receive news from outside.
I am good, my health is in order, no one has beaten me. And thank God that these things are not happening here. And everything is more or less good, there is even a humain attitude, not like on Akrestsin Street (another pre-trial detention center).
Say hello to your mom, your dad, I hope she doesn’t mind that I’m here and that you are carrying my parcels.
Thank you for still being by my side. And that you do not forget me and that you have not abandoned me.
How's it going at the university? Could you please clarify how to withdraw? I still haven't done it.
But I hope that I will soon receive news from outside.
I am good, my health is in order, no one has beaten me. And thank God that these things are not happening here. And everything is more or less good, there is even a humain attitude, not like on Akrestsin Street (another pre-trial detention center).
Say hello to your mom, your dad, I hope she doesn’t mind that I’m here and that you are carrying my parcels.
DECEMBER
December 1, 2020, Tanya Yekelchyk
It’s just unbelievable how it turned out. On Thursday we listened to the organ, and on Friday there were such horrid. We seemed to have imagined this, but it is never possible to be ready for this. Do not worry about me, this is just such a stage in life and it will definitely end one day.
On Volodarka, it seems to me, it is even better than in the KGB. The neighbours are nice too. There are two young girls in the room, a grown woman and me. I am holding on and you hold on too!
Everything will be all right!
I kiss you, hug you, love you!
I am smiling, I am not losing my heart. It’s not in vain. The ice will surely melt.
It’s just unbelievable how it turned out. On Thursday we listened to the organ, and on Friday there were such horrid. We seemed to have imagined this, but it is never possible to be ready for this. Do not worry about me, this is just such a stage in life and it will definitely end one day.
On Volodarka, it seems to me, it is even better than in the KGB. The neighbours are nice too. There are two young girls in the room, a grown woman and me. I am holding on and you hold on too!
Everything will be all right!
I kiss you, hug you, love you!
I am smiling, I am not losing my heart. It’s not in vain. The ice will surely melt.
December 6, 2020, Yana Arabeika
First time in a week! I breathed and warmed up. For lunch I ate an avocado with tomatoes (+ SOUP). And I felt normal. My cheeks even turned pink … so the neighbours said.
After that I drew you a "tutorial" (zine) "what to do if you are sad. I hope you found it in the envelope. And I hope you smiled! What do you think? And also! At first I wanted to fasten the pages with a thread. But they are not given out on weekends. So I took the staples out of the notebook and stapled them all. What do you think! I am personally proud of myself :)))
First time in a week! I breathed and warmed up. For lunch I ate an avocado with tomatoes (+ SOUP). And I felt normal. My cheeks even turned pink … so the neighbours said.
After that I drew you a "tutorial" (zine) "what to do if you are sad. I hope you found it in the envelope. And I hope you smiled! What do you think? And also! At first I wanted to fasten the pages with a thread. But they are not given out on weekends. So I took the staples out of the notebook and stapled them all. What do you think! I am personally proud of myself :)))
December 7, 2020, Hleb Fitsner
I believe in people, believe in you and believe in us all!
Gleb :)
P. S. I hope you are having fun there with learning from home, otherwise I will get out and make everything fun myself: D
Happy learning and good luck with your term paper!
I believe in people, believe in you and believe in us all!
Gleb :)
P. S. I hope you are having fun there with learning from home, otherwise I will get out and make everything fun myself: D
Happy learning and good luck with your term paper!
December 7, 2020, Alana Gebremariam
Various unpleasant conversations for the first half of the detention time did not do me any good. Now I am better, I have very interesting cellmates, I cannot be very sad with such ladies. Improved my massage skills from having nothing to do. I read "New Hour" (a magazine) and "It Can’t Happen Here" by Sinclair Lewis. I watch my "favorite" channels (BT, STV, NTV), in general, lot’s of fun here.
I get very few letters, mostly from fans and female fans with a big delay. I wonder what is going on with the post there. Also my friends send me a lot of food, so I live and do not grieve. It’s a pity that I won’t see you on the holidays, I won’t hug you, we won’t dance on your couch, which was much desired. I will be writing to you and preparing a present for the New Year, just you wait!
Various unpleasant conversations for the first half of the detention time did not do me any good. Now I am better, I have very interesting cellmates, I cannot be very sad with such ladies. Improved my massage skills from having nothing to do. I read "New Hour" (a magazine) and "It Can’t Happen Here" by Sinclair Lewis. I watch my "favorite" channels (BT, STV, NTV), in general, lot’s of fun here.
I get very few letters, mostly from fans and female fans with a big delay. I wonder what is going on with the post there. Also my friends send me a lot of food, so I live and do not grieve. It’s a pity that I won’t see you on the holidays, I won’t hug you, we won’t dance on your couch, which was much desired. I will be writing to you and preparing a present for the New Year, just you wait!
December 2020, Illia Trakhtenberg
We watch, by the way, ‘What? Where? When?' (a Russian Intellectual TV show) on Sundays. Last time we almost beat the team of experts with the team of cell # 46.
I put a small sketch of a still life in this envelope. Let it be called "The tea party at Volodarsky."
We watch, by the way, ‘What? Where? When?' (a Russian Intellectual TV show) on Sundays. Last time we almost beat the team of experts with the team of cell # 46.
I put a small sketch of a still life in this envelope. Let it be called "The tea party at Volodarsky."
DRAWING BY ILYA TRACHTENBERG, DECEMBER 2020
December 15, 2020, Volha Filatchankava
I want to hold your hands :)
Looking for yours as a reply now :)
Another song from "Don't Leave"
We don’t know and we don’t remember
Until we face disaster
That our whole world, so huge
Is hanging on a thread alone.
That is called hope
And I want to believe, I want to believe
That this thread won’t break
And life will not end, it will not end.
I miss you very much. I dream of you every night. I know what I will write to Santa Claus on New Year.
And by the way, will you have any concert there or is it all cancelled because of Covid? How’s Ma from dancing? Are she and the child okay? Say hello to everyone!
I want to hold your hands :)
Looking for yours as a reply now :)
Another song from "Don't Leave"
We don’t know and we don’t remember
Until we face disaster
That our whole world, so huge
Is hanging on a thread alone.
That is called hope
And I want to believe, I want to believe
That this thread won’t break
And life will not end, it will not end.
I miss you very much. I dream of you every night. I know what I will write to Santa Claus on New Year.
And by the way, will you have any concert there or is it all cancelled because of Covid? How’s Ma from dancing? Are she and the child okay? Say hello to everyone!
DRAWING BY Volha Filatchankava FOR CHILDREN, DECEMBER 15, 2020
December 27, 2020, Yahor Kanetski
May the force be with you in 2021, my young Padawans)))!
Cheer up! Celebrate it well.
I love beloved myself))) Egor
May the force be with you in 2021, my young Padawans)))!
Cheer up! Celebrate it well.
I love beloved myself))) Egor
DRAWING BY ALANA GEBREMARIAM BY NEW YEAR, END DECEMBER 2020
JANUARY
January 3, 2021, Yana Arabeika
Neighbours send you thanks for the board game, magazines and fish. And I, of course, too.
And also! For the new year, we ate a cake that we made ourselves. It wasn’t bad.
How did you celebrate the New Year? Did you make a wish? Do not write it, otherwise it will not come true.
Request: please send me bread.
I really like the look in which I met the New Year!
On a walk today we all sang a good song together … We were told that we were not allowed to do that (((
I had a funny dream! In it, they gave me boiled eggs, hiding them in a baguette. Even in my sleep I found it funny.
Neighbours send you thanks for the board game, magazines and fish. And I, of course, too.
And also! For the new year, we ate a cake that we made ourselves. It wasn’t bad.
How did you celebrate the New Year? Did you make a wish? Do not write it, otherwise it will not come true.
Request: please send me bread.
I really like the look in which I met the New Year!
On a walk today we all sang a good song together … We were told that we were not allowed to do that (((
I had a funny dream! In it, they gave me boiled eggs, hiding them in a baguette. Even in my sleep I found it funny.
YANA’S DRAWING ABOUT THE ICICLE OUTSIDE THE WINDOW, JANUARY 2021
January 21, 2021, Ksenia Syramalot
I hope you are not depressed now, because even from the news that I know, my anxiety if I were outside would have probably just gone off the scale. So you hold on there.
What can happen to us here? We already have everything stable :) But I feel good enough. Well, write more, if you want, I’ll be glad.
I hope you are not depressed now, because even from the news that I know, my anxiety if I were outside would have probably just gone off the scale. So you hold on there.
What can happen to us here? We already have everything stable :) But I feel good enough. Well, write more, if you want, I’ll be glad.
FEBRUARY
February 2021, Volha Filatchankava
Think about it, we walked for an hour and a half today! In a huge courtyard! Super! Everyone is not sitting in this stupid cell. Although there are 4 walls, we can move around :) Personally, I did not freeze because I was jumping all the time.
Think about it, we walked for an hour and a half today! In a huge courtyard! Super! Everyone is not sitting in this stupid cell. Although there are 4 walls, we can move around :) Personally, I did not freeze because I was jumping all the time.
February 2021, Tanya Yekelchyk
I’m fine too. The mood is joyful and cheerful. The state of health is excellent. We, the political prisoners, treat everything with humor and support each other in everything. Every day there are many more reasons for laughter rather than sadness.
I’m fine too. The mood is joyful and cheerful. The state of health is excellent. We, the political prisoners, treat everything with humor and support each other in everything. Every day there are many more reasons for laughter rather than sadness.
DRAWING BY Ksenia Syramalot, 2021
MARCH
March 2021, Illia Trakhtenberg
The food here is quite passable, for a prison. I only take soup for lunch and sometimes porridge for breakfast. The rest of the dishes are also edible, but I receive parcels regularly, so I don’t need them. I have adapted to the conditions. Of course, there are many questions, but for me now this is not the main thing. But I’m happy with the neighbours, interesting and educated people, we are getting along. It is both good and bad that there are so many good people here. Lots of free time, but not many options to spend it. I try not to get bored.
Something like that, in general. That’s right, I’m managing. My relatives are all right, I have a clear conscience, so I don’t worry.
The food here is quite passable, for a prison. I only take soup for lunch and sometimes porridge for breakfast. The rest of the dishes are also edible, but I receive parcels regularly, so I don’t need them. I have adapted to the conditions. Of course, there are many questions, but for me now this is not the main thing. But I’m happy with the neighbours, interesting and educated people, we are getting along. It is both good and bad that there are so many good people here. Lots of free time, but not many options to spend it. I try not to get bored.
Something like that, in general. That’s right, I’m managing. My relatives are all right, I have a clear conscience, so I don’t worry.
March 2021, Kasya Budzko
Life in prison goes smoothly, sometimes in fits and starts, in the direction of the flow. What advantages did I see during these 4 months? I think I am slowly getting rid of my ageism, here you are simply forced to interact (and what kind of interaction, literally living shoulder to shoulder) with people of absolutely different ages. Adults seem to me not so scary and I can even behave naturally with them.
My personal boundaries have turned from a huge hula hoop into the neck of a one litre bottle, and yes, I think that’s a plus. What can you do when you don’t have a toilet door in your cell :)
Life in prison goes smoothly, sometimes in fits and starts, in the direction of the flow. What advantages did I see during these 4 months? I think I am slowly getting rid of my ageism, here you are simply forced to interact (and what kind of interaction, literally living shoulder to shoulder) with people of absolutely different ages. Adults seem to me not so scary and I can even behave naturally with them.
My personal boundaries have turned from a huge hula hoop into the neck of a one litre bottle, and yes, I think that’s a plus. What can you do when you don’t have a toilet door in your cell :)
CUTTING FROM A State Printing NEWSPAPER BY KASYA Budzko, SEPTEMBER 2021
Text: "I drank and told the president what I thought, the Instagram live stream exploded with gratitude for what I said. Our people are grateful to the president because all the masks have already been torn off, all the traitors turned inside out. And during the conversation we saw how personally and deeply the president has lived this year. Once again I was convinced that he is a block and a rock. And i think he is ready and should be the president in the next election as well".
APRIL
April 11, 2021, Asya Bulybenka
News. After 5 months!!! They began to give us cutlets and eggs. Cutlets with bread and ketchup = love :) People rejoice!
News. After 5 months!!! They began to give us cutlets and eggs. Cutlets with bread and ketchup = love :) People rejoice!
April 2021, Kasya Budzko
What goofs are you, indeed, you will be writing your theses))) But it will be funnier if you graduate from university before we get out of prison, I understand that is a MEME!
What goofs are you, indeed, you will be writing your theses))) But it will be funnier if you graduate from university before we get out of prison, I understand that is a MEME!
DRAWING BY Yahor Kanetski, 2021
MAY
May 2, 2021, Yahor Kanetski
How am I? Finally found out the date of the trial! There is no excitement yet. Why should I be worrying now? Everything has its time)) Now, you know, spring is a nightmare to me with hormones. My brain is foggy) I feel shrek-like. The day before yesterday I forgot to brush my teeth!
How am I? Finally found out the date of the trial! There is no excitement yet. Why should I be worrying now? Everything has its time)) Now, you know, spring is a nightmare to me with hormones. My brain is foggy) I feel shrek-like. The day before yesterday I forgot to brush my teeth!
May 11, 2021, Yana Arabeika
I am very worried and think a lot about the trial. But you know, it’s mostly a pleasant excitement in anticipation of meetings. What else can I tell you? It is sad to look out of the window. It is sad to understand that six months have passed and I have not learned much, have done little, achieved nothing. Very sad.
Okay. I miss everyone very much. I hug you tightly.
I am very worried and think a lot about the trial. But you know, it’s mostly a pleasant excitement in anticipation of meetings. What else can I tell you? It is sad to look out of the window. It is sad to understand that six months have passed and I have not learned much, have done little, achieved nothing. Very sad.
Okay. I miss everyone very much. I hug you tightly.
May 16, 2021, Illia Trakhtenberg
Thank you for stopping by thecircus trial
Thank you for stopping by the
DRAWING BY Yana Arabeika, JUNE 2021
JUNE
early June 2021, Maryia Kalenik
Celebrated my birthday very well! The girls made me a prison cake. I’ll tell you the recipe. Fortunately, the trial was postponed on my birthday and I stayed with the girls :)
All that is left is to celebrate one more birthday, and then I will be home very soon.
Celebrated my birthday very well! The girls made me a prison cake. I’ll tell you the recipe. Fortunately, the trial was postponed on my birthday and I stayed with the girls :)
All that is left is to celebrate one more birthday, and then I will be home very soon.
June 2021, Volha Filatchankava
Ooo broccoli roll … eeeh. We can only dream about it. It’s good that they started giving us eggs twice a week! This is a delight! By the way, there should be an egg tomorrow.
Ooo broccoli roll … eeeh. We can only dream about it. It’s good that they started giving us eggs twice a week! This is a delight! By the way, there should be an egg tomorrow.
June 21, 2021, Viktoryia Hrankouskaya
Hello Beautiful!
Now is a break in the court session and you just left. And I miss you already. You are super! You look great, honestly, honestly :)
I have a mini-lunch, because we are not fed here, and we cannot take our own food, so it turns out that I’m on a diet :) In general, it’s even great, I don’t really want to eat, I just want to drink more.
And also yesterday I saw Gorky Park and the fountains, of course, I would like to walk around, eat cotton candy. To get sunburns, ha-ha-ha, but it’s okay, I hope this is the last month of my imprisonment. :)
Hello Beautiful!
Now is a break in the court session and you just left. And I miss you already. You are super! You look great, honestly, honestly :)
I have a mini-lunch, because we are not fed here, and we cannot take our own food, so it turns out that I’m on a diet :) In general, it’s even great, I don’t really want to eat, I just want to drink more.
And also yesterday I saw Gorky Park and the fountains, of course, I would like to walk around, eat cotton candy. To get sunburns, ha-ha-ha, but it’s okay, I hope this is the last month of my imprisonment. :)
DRAWING BY Viktoryia Hrankouskaya, JUNE 2021
JULY
July 2021, Ksenia Syramalot
Of course, I will still get an education. But I don’t think it will be here. After all, firstly, most likely after the court decision I will be expelled, and secondly, I do not want to study where in the administration there are people, through whose weakness and fear to be honest with themselves and others I will be sewing uniforms for 1.5 years, when I could have been studying, working and being useful.
When the best years of my youth, my strength, health and beauty will be behind the sewing machine. But I believe that everything comes around and karma exists.
Of course, I will still get an education. But I don’t think it will be here. After all, firstly, most likely after the court decision I will be expelled, and secondly, I do not want to study where in the administration there are people, through whose weakness and fear to be honest with themselves and others I will be sewing uniforms for 1.5 years, when I could have been studying, working and being useful.
When the best years of my youth, my strength, health and beauty will be behind the sewing machine. But I believe that everything comes around and karma exists.
July 2021, Tanya Yekelchyk
And this is a cat that comes to us regularly for breakfast, lunch and dinner, meows and asks for food. We do not see it, we only hear it, but I imagine it looks like this :)
And this is a cat that comes to us regularly for breakfast, lunch and dinner, meows and asks for food. We do not see it, we only hear it, but I imagine it looks like this :)
July 2021, Illia Trakhtenberg
The verdict was read out. The speech of the prosecutor and the verdict of the court itself, of course, no comments, although I was not surprised (I have already forgotten how to be surprised). In such a situation, the most appropriate reaction is to laugh. Apparently, we are so dangerous …
The verdict was read out. The speech of the prosecutor and the verdict of the court itself, of course, no comments, although I was not surprised (I have already forgotten how to be surprised). In such a situation, the most appropriate reaction is to laugh. Apparently, we are so dangerous …
July 2021, Yana Arabeika
We went to the shower. The snow on the street was falling so beautifully. It was fresh and sunny.
When I returned after a shower, I found a stack of letters on the bed. Seven were addressed to me! I was terribly happy. And I was looking for yours. Found it. I read it first. (Me, when I found your letter)
Then I read the rest of the letters. And then they turned off the light :))))) or it turned off itself. Now we are sitting in such a pleasant intimate darkness (rather semi-darkness). The girls are whining, but I really like it. Maybe I have gone crazy :)
We went to the shower. The snow on the street was falling so beautifully. It was fresh and sunny.
When I returned after a shower, I found a stack of letters on the bed. Seven were addressed to me! I was terribly happy. And I was looking for yours. Found it. I read it first. (Me, when I found your letter)
Then I read the rest of the letters. And then they turned off the light :))))) or it turned off itself. Now we are sitting in such a pleasant intimate darkness (rather semi-darkness). The girls are whining, but I really like it. Maybe I have gone crazy :)
DRAWING BY Yahor Kanetski, 2021
Text: This is me — sad on the bunk (the prison bed) :))))))))
Text: This is me — sad on the bunk (the prison bed) :))))))))
AUGUST
August 17, 2021, Alana Gebremariam
I read a lot of books and magazines (now I’m reading Remarque’s "Shadows in Paradise", a cool book, I will write my thoughts later). I think about the future, I try not to concentrate on the negative and <…> days. I hug, kiss, love. Send my hugs and ardent greetings to Zhenya, not a single letter from him has arrived.
I read a lot of books and magazines (now I’m reading Remarque’s "Shadows in Paradise", a cool book, I will write my thoughts later). I think about the future, I try not to concentrate on the negative and <…> days. I hug, kiss, love. Send my hugs and ardent greetings to Zhenya, not a single letter from him has arrived.
August 2021, Illia Trakhtenberg
I felt like a Zimbabwean child when I ate ice cream for the first time.
I felt like a Zimbabwean child when I ate ice cream for the first time.
DRAWING OF MASHA KALENIK, YEAR 2021
SEPTEMBER
September 2021, Viktoryia Hrankouskaya
There is definitely not enough time to write, I simply do not have the time to answer to everyone! Say hello to her and give her a big hug. And to everyone else!
So far I do not see anything unmanageable here, it is very reminiscent of the army, only for women.
There is definitely not enough time to write, I simply do not have the time to answer to everyone! Say hello to her and give her a big hug. And to everyone else!
So far I do not see anything unmanageable here, it is very reminiscent of the army, only for women.
September 26, 2021, Yahor Kanetski
To postcards lovers!
Save the world from the omnipresent squirrels)) Once again my respect for trolling. What is life without banter? I understood that I was caught on <…>, heh. OK. what were we talking about?
Comrades! As of 09/26/21 … We have exceeded the five-year plan! Since then we have:
1. Accepted about 500 letters (joke pyad-tsot * badam-shh *)
2. We sent about 330 envelopes in return!
3. The coverage of cities is colossal, comrades! Among them: Minsk, Grodno, Pinsk, Baranovichi, Gomel, Mogilev, Moscow and of course I am not afraid of this word VILEIKA !!! Hurray, comrades!
4. The strongest worker of pen and parchment … * drum roll * … Kanetskaya Alla Viktorovna, my mother! Applause, comrades!
Congratulations should be conveyed urgently.
I dare say, comrades, that infinity is not the limit!
Everyone is entitled to a reward … a big human thanks =))))
Hurray, comrades!
Onward to positive growth of 0.1%
Secretary of the Secretariat, Egor
To postcards lovers!
Save the world from the omnipresent squirrels)) Once again my respect for trolling. What is life without banter? I understood that I was caught on <…>, heh. OK. what were we talking about?
Comrades! As of 09/26/21 … We have exceeded the five-year plan! Since then we have:
1. Accepted about 500 letters (joke pyad-tsot * badam-shh *)
2. We sent about 330 envelopes in return!
3. The coverage of cities is colossal, comrades! Among them: Minsk, Grodno, Pinsk, Baranovichi, Gomel, Mogilev, Moscow and of course I am not afraid of this word VILEIKA !!! Hurray, comrades!
4. The strongest worker of pen and parchment … * drum roll * … Kanetskaya Alla Viktorovna, my mother! Applause, comrades!
Congratulations should be conveyed urgently.
I dare say, comrades, that infinity is not the limit!
Everyone is entitled to a reward … a big human thanks =))))
Hurray, comrades!
Onward to positive growth of 0.1%
Secretary of the Secretariat, Egor
September 26, 2021, Viktoryia Hrankouskaya
Yes, and I myself think that we are all very strong. How many have we already endured and we will be even stronger :)
Like you are! After all, it’s hard for you there too, especially in the courts, seeing us not in a cage and smiling.
For this reason, I asked my grandmother not to come to the courts or visit. Well, it’s okay, we will meet later :)
And they are also waiting for me in one architectural bureau. I worked there before my arrest. The other day I received a letter from a friend saying that they have posted my desktop on their social media. And there are my things that are waiting for their owner. Haha.
So I even have a job, and I will not be lost with my character.
P. S. Everything will be alright.
Yes, and I myself think that we are all very strong. How many have we already endured and we will be even stronger :)
Like you are! After all, it’s hard for you there too, especially in the courts, seeing us not in a cage and smiling.
For this reason, I asked my grandmother not to come to the courts or visit. Well, it’s okay, we will meet later :)
And they are also waiting for me in one architectural bureau. I worked there before my arrest. The other day I received a letter from a friend saying that they have posted my desktop on their social media. And there are my things that are waiting for their owner. Haha.
So I even have a job, and I will not be lost with my character.
P. S. Everything will be alright.
September 30, 2021, Masha Kalenik
I love you very, very much, I kiss and hug you! See you soon, Mom. I’m waiting for a letter!
That is me waiting:
I love you very, very much, I kiss and hug you! See you soon, Mom. I’m waiting for a letter!
That is me waiting:
September 2021, Volha Filatchankava
For several days in a row radio B. E has been playing. I like it because there are a lot of good songs like Aria, Bi-2, Time Machine, Okean Elzy, etc., etc.
And there are foreign ones of high quality. In short — it is super :) Gomel FM was also quite good, but recently they have introduced a section of criminal news. Bee. Oh, just switched to Unistar. Hurray :) Good too :)
In principle, it’s good that they switch radio stations from time to time, and not that constant Russian radio on Volodarka (previous detention place in Minsk).
For several days in a row radio B. E has been playing. I like it because there are a lot of good songs like Aria, Bi-2, Time Machine, Okean Elzy, etc., etc.
And there are foreign ones of high quality. In short — it is super :) Gomel FM was also quite good, but recently they have introduced a section of criminal news. Bee. Oh, just switched to Unistar. Hurray :) Good too :)
In principle, it’s good that they switch radio stations from time to time, and not that constant Russian radio on Volodarka (previous detention place in Minsk).
OCTOBER
October 8, 2021, Volha Filatchankava
How beautiful you are. I want to see you soon so much, not in the photos, but in the free world, and I want to hug you tightly… Okay, I will not cry here :) Now in the afternoon I want to sleep so much :)
You know, I’ve already written this, but it seems to me that I don’t write enough about how much I love you all (including you). It seems to me that all these words are few… I love you so much! I can’t! And everyone-everyone-everyone!
How beautiful you are. I want to see you soon so much, not in the photos, but in the free world, and I want to hug you tightly… Okay, I will not cry here :) Now in the afternoon I want to sleep so much :)
You know, I’ve already written this, but it seems to me that I don’t write enough about how much I love you all (including you). It seems to me that all these words are few… I love you so much! I can’t! And everyone-everyone-everyone!
October 17, 2021, Viktoryia Hrankouskaya
There are walks every 2 hours for 10 minutes, it’s good, we have time to be outside at different times of the day. And in the evening I write letters at sunset, what a beauty it is.
And a lot of greenery: trees, flowers. And cats are running on the tracks. Mmm-cuteness.
My mood is joyful and, as always, cheerful, I’m searching for charms in everything. :) And I wish the same to you!
My mini-story ends.
I hug you tightly. I wish you a good day and bright emotions.
Take care of yourself and your health =)
There are walks every 2 hours for 10 minutes, it’s good, we have time to be outside at different times of the day. And in the evening I write letters at sunset, what a beauty it is.
And a lot of greenery: trees, flowers. And cats are running on the tracks. Mmm-cuteness.
My mood is joyful and, as always, cheerful, I’m searching for charms in everything. :) And I wish the same to you!
My mini-story ends.
I hug you tightly. I wish you a good day and bright emotions.
Take care of yourself and your health =)
October 24, 2021, Asya Anastasiya Bulybenka
Dear mom, hello! I’m in the correctional colony!
Saw:
And when I heard: "Don't keep your hands behind your back, you’re not in jail, you don’t need to anymore!" the first, the third, <…> time a day — AAA: D I want to say that in the pre-trial detention center it seemed that if we had to unlearn "hands behind his back, face to the wall" for weeks, if not more, but it turned out a moment- and that’s it :)
Everything else, of course, will never be forgotten. But now it’s not about that :)
Dear mom, hello! I’m in the correctional colony!
Saw:
- huge sky with "floating" clouds :) (has it always been so huge ???)
- sunset :))
- dawn :))
- many-many-many BIRDS !!!
- 2 teenager cats and a mother cat (live nearby, can be seen from the window: D (there no "lashes" !!!)))
- F.L.O.W.E.R.S. !!! Roooses :) And all sorts, a lot of flowers
- Stars
And when I heard: "Don't keep your hands behind your back, you’re not in jail, you don’t need to anymore!" the first, the third, <…> time a day — AAA: D I want to say that in the pre-trial detention center it seemed that if we had to unlearn "hands behind his back, face to the wall" for weeks, if not more, but it turned out a moment- and that’s it :)
Everything else, of course, will never be forgotten. But now it’s not about that :)
MASHA KALENIK RATED HER LOOK AS 7 OUT OF 10, OCTOBER 10, 2021
AGAIN NOVEMBER
November 4, 2021, Yana Arabeika
Complaint 1. My legs are so swollen (
So. Here’s another question. How is your health/condition and things?
We also have news: placement is tomorrow.
And thanks in conclusion: THANKS for everything that you do and do not do. And thanks for giving the address of my location to my grandmother.
I put a kind of a postcard in an envelope and if everything is ok with you, then read all the signatures as if "in case everything is fine with you." Hugs and kisses. Your corn.
Complaint 1. My legs are so swollen (
So. Here’s another question. How is your health/condition and things?
We also have news: placement is tomorrow.
And thanks in conclusion: THANKS for everything that you do and do not do. And thanks for giving the address of my location to my grandmother.
I put a kind of a postcard in an envelope and if everything is ok with you, then read all the signatures as if "in case everything is fine with you." Hugs and kisses. Your corn.
POSTER BY YANA Arabeika, NOVEMBER 2021
Во-первых, проект лучше выглядит с компьютера или ноутбука
Во-вторых, будет здорово, если подпишетесь на нас в Telegram, а также на нашу рассылку. С нами интересно и клево!
Будет здорово, если подпишетесь на нас в Telegram, а также на нашу рассылку. С нами интересно и клево!
Asya Anastasiya Bulybenka and Viktoryia Hrankouskaya at an exhibition in the Minsk House of Arts
November 6, 2020. 6 days before arrest.
Viktoryia Hrankouskaya, OCTOBER 2021
TEXT: "WE WILL RELEASE 30 november, 2022"
TEXT: "WE WILL RELEASE 30 november, 2022"
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