New Year message to friends, partners, subscribers

The year 2022 turned out to be even more difficult and tragic than the previous one. Thirty-three media workers are behind bars, including three of our colleagues: Iryna Leŭšyna, Dźmitryj Navažyłaŭ and Andrej Alaksandraŭ. December 30 was the 500th day of Iryna’s and Źmicier’s detention. Andrej’s “counter” passed the 700 mark.

Three colleagues – and three sixes, like the damned highway in the famous “Route 666” film.

On June 6, the trial began.

On October 6, the verdict was announced.

On January 6, an appeal will be heard.

The outcome is not difficult to predict.

But no-one (so far) knows what portion of their sentences – four years for Leŭšyna, six years for Navažyłaŭ and 14 years for Alaksandraŭ – they will actually complete. It is the optimism pervading their every letter that charges us, those outside prison walls, with energy.

The critical era continues. It is crucial that we live through it together.

Wishing you a happy 2023.

Yours faithfully,
BPN