{"id":179067,"date":"2026-03-12T13:15:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T10:15:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/179067\/"},"modified":"2026-03-12T13:48:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T10:48:35","slug":"statkievic-honors-unbroken-belarusian-dissidents","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/179067\/","title":{"rendered":"Statkievi\u010d honors unbroken Belarusian dissidents"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\n Mika\u0142aj Statkievi\u010d\n <\/div>\n \n
\n (hramada.org)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

March 12, Pozirk.<\/em> <\/strong>Imprisoned dissidents need to feel that they are not alone in their struggle and that the whole free world is on their side, Mika\u0142aj Statkievi\u010d stressed in his acceptance speech for the Homo Homini Awards, read by his wife Maryna Adamovi\u010d at a ceremony in Prague yesterday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The politician, who was freed last month and is currently recovering from a stroke in Belarus, expressed his gratitude for the award, calling it \u201ca testament to the courage and fortitude of those who, even under immense pressure, preserve their dignity, honor and conscience, waging a solitary struggle against a ruthless machine of oppression and refusing to yield to evil.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite officials\u2019 attempts to instil in society the idea that any resistance is futile, hundreds of jailed Belarusian dissidents have refused to sign clemency petitions, even under abuse, torture or promises of early release, the former prisoner noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey set an example for all of us who are free,\u201d he said, highlighting the \u201chigh moral spirit of the Belarusian nation and the steadfastness of our people.” \u201cTogether we are stronger than evil, and together we will prevail. Belarus will be free,\u201d Statkievi\u010d stressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The politician was arrested two months before the 2020 presidential election and then sentenced to 14 years in prison for allegedly staging the protests that took place after his arrest. The charges were widely seen as politically motivated. He was pardoned in September 2025 as part of Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s deal with Washington. All freed people were taken to Lithuania, except for Statkievi\u010d, who refused to leave Belarus and remained at the Belarusian-Lithuanian border crossing for several hours, as confirmed by CCTV footage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In November 2025, the interior ministry informed his family members that he was taken back to prison to serve his original 14-year sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prison authorities stopped giving him necessary medications, replacing them with ineffective alternatives, Statkievi\u010d reportedly told his wife after his liberation in February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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