“This sentence is yet another test for all of us. Because our democratic movement is built on the following values:
- No one must be convicted on political grounds.
- No one must have to go through torture.
- No one's life must be for sale.
So today, I ask every Belarusian: look at yourself, have you remained true to your values? Because without them, we risk becoming like the vengeful, inhumane regime. Please, stay human.
We stand for democracy and equality before the law. We stand not for revenge, but for justice. Therefore, anyone who commits crimes against humanity in Belarus must face trial. But it must be before an independent and professional court.
And there is one and only answer to this and any other sentence: all Belarusians who are persecuted in politically motivated cases must be released. Many of them have been held in detention for months in complete isolation. We have no reports about the condition of Viktar Babaryka, Siarhei Tsikhanouski, Ihar Losik, and hundreds of other political prisoners. They must be allowed to meet with lawyers and relatives.
Freedom for everyone”.
