Former political prisoner Hersche wins Swiss Prix Courage 2022

October 30, BPN. Swiss-Belarusian dual citizen Natalla Hersche won Prix Courage 2022. The Swiss magazine Beobachter awarded her 15,000 francs in recognition of her “fearless struggle against state arbitrariness.” 

Susanne Hochuli, president of the jury, said that Hersche’s courage was contagious and praised her for defending freedom of expression and demonstration. 

Hersche thanked Beobacher for the award on behalf of over 1,600 people imprisoned on politically-motivated charges in Belarus, calling for their release and protesting against the authorities’ support of Russia’s war in Ukraine.  

In December 2020, Belarusian authorities sentenced Hersche to two and a half years in prison on charges of resisting a police officer. She refused to ask for a pardon and went on hunger strike at least three times while in prison. Authorities released her after 17 months in custody due to the efforts of the Swiss diplomacy.