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In Belarus, Zikratski defended independent journalists, whose persecution intensified after mass protests that began in August last year. At the end of March, S. Zikratski was expelled from the Bar Association and deprived of his license.
In May, Zikratski announced that he had moved to Vilnius, where he promised to continue working for change in Belarus.
Wants peace to the family
– Why did you leave Belarus? Could he be persecuted by the regime after being expelled from the Bar Association?
– I do not rule out that possibility, because today in Belarus there are many people who are behind bars doing nothing illegal. I do not rule out the possibility that there has been repression against me as well.
And in general, throughout this period since last August, when the elections were held, the psychological condition of my family has been very bad. My loved ones survived all these events with great force, very concerned for my safety, for their own.
As long as I had a license and could work as a lawyer, I would not consider leaving Belarus. But when my license was taken away, I left, even to give my family psychological peace.
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– In general, how does the regime exert pressure on lawyers who defend journalists?
– This pressure has intensified since last August. Initially, it was only in the form of conversations: the heads of the Bar Association called specific lawyers and hinted that they should have less voice in current events, as they could expect unpleasant consequences.
We remember the year 2010, when a criminal proceeding was initiated against the candidates after the presidential elections. Many attorneys defending them lost their licenses.
In the summer of 2020, other lawyers and I were summoned to speak by the heads of the Bar Association: they said that we had to be more careful because 2010 could happen again and they would also deprive us of our licenses.
The statements were made at the level of both the Ministry of Justice and the head of the Bar Association of the Republic of Belarus.
The reorganization of lawyers began in October: with the initiation of proceedings by the Ministry of Justice, initially two lawyers were dismissed, and then the number increased. According to my estimates, today almost 30 lawyers have been expelled from the Bar Association.
In total, there are just over 2,000 lawyers in Belarus, about 200 who participated in the events and defended the activists. Therefore, the number of 30 licenses revoked is quite high.
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Unprecedented pressure
– There are those who believe that the current persecution of journalists in Belarus is unprecedented. Have you seen anything like this in your career?
– No. The current situation is unprecedented, never before has there been so much pressure.
In 2010, presidential candidates as well as journalists and lawyers were treated quite cruelly. However, compared to 2020, it can be said that 2010 is just a flower.
Today, many people are behind bars, more than 300 people are recognized as political prisoners, lawyers are deprived of their licenses and journalists are also imprisoned.
My fellow lawyer Maxim Znak, who provided legal assistance to Viktor Babaryka, who aspired to become president, and later to Sviatlan Cichanouskaya, who became a candidate and won the elections, was also imprisoned on completely baseless charges.
What is happening in 2020 has never happened and I hope it never happens again.
„Reuters“ / „Scanpix“ nuotr./Maksimas Znakas
– What has changed?
– During the 26 years of Alexander Lukashenko’s government, more and more people have been dissatisfied with his policies, but 2020 has changed the situation drastically.
The number of those who speak out against the president has increased significantly, mainly because he did not take any action to protect people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Scanpix” / AP nuotr./Aliaksandras Lukašenka
Also, on the political horizon appeared people that people believed. It was Viktor Babaryka, Sviatlana Cichanouskaya. When people were extremely dissatisfied with the government and saw who could really represent their interests, they went to the polls and voted for a new leader.
Obviously, the majority: different estimates show between 70 and 80 percent. – voted in favor of Cichanouskaya. Therefore, after the announcement, supposedly 80 percent. voted for Lukashenko, the people resented and took to the streets. And the regime has adopted harsh sanctions to suppress everything.
He failed to intimidate journalists
– Does the mode have the tools to completely stop popular media such as tut.byDoes Belsat work?
– I don’t think they can stop these websites.
The regime has the ability to block websites, many of which have been blocked in Belarus. However, there are ways around that blockage, such as the virtual private network (VPN) that many Belarusians use.
Also, it is not difficult to create copies of web pages. If a website is blocked today, two, three, or four with the same information may appear next week.
I don’t think they can technically block websites.
Unfortunately, however, in this situation, they can simply imprison journalists and editors. In that case, they may be able to stop the transfer of independent information, but we would simply turn to North Korea.
– If such persecution, violence, the courts affected Belarusian journalists psychologically? Are there those who no longer want to work?
– I speak with many journalists, many of them are my clients, and I see that so far their mood is very fighter. Many journalists say that it is their profession, that they will do their job with pride and no court ruling will stop them.
Yes, three journalists are facing real prison sentences today: Belsat journalists Kaciaryna Bachvalava and Darja Chulcova, as well as tut.by to journalist Kaciaryna Barysevich. Another 10 journalists are behind bars in the investigation.
VIDEO: Belarusian journalists sent 2 years. imprisoned – the regime thus punishes the filming of the protest
However, the journalists continue the work and intend to continue it.
– How do you plan to continue working from Vilnius?
– I have received a proposal for an initiative concerning Belarus. I will work with her, but I will not name her yet. I plan to work to change the situation in Belarus.
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