Cichanoŭskaja says Alaksandraŭ, Złobina symbolize hardiness, love

September 1, BPN. Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja has said media manager Andrej Alaksandraŭ and activist Iryna Złobina, who have wed at a pretrial detention center in Minsk, symbolize hardiness and love.

“Against all odds, people find ways to be around each other. And even in such a difficult time, they have been able to find their moment of happiness. Dear Ira and Andrej, you are a symbol of hardiness and love for all of us. We all wish you to hug each other as soon as possible,” Cichanoŭskaja said on Instagram on September 1.

Alaksandraŭ, a former senior manager at the BelaPAN news agency, and his girlfriend Złobina were arrested in January 2021 for distributing financial aid to people prosecuted in connection with opposition protests and face numerous charges, along with BelaPAN’s editor in chief Iryna Leŭšyna and former CEO Źmićer Navažyłaŭ, including creation of an extremist group, high treason, and tax evasion.

Their persecution is seen as part of the government’s all-out effort to silence its critics.

In custody, Alaksandraŭ and Złobina were labelled as persons prone to extremism.

The trial in their case started on June 6 at the Minsk Regional Court. It is expected to resume after September 5 following a two-month break.

Belarusian human rights defenders declared Alaksandraŭ, Złobina, Leŭšyna, and Navažyłaŭ political prisoners.