The authorities had the task to convict the human rights defenders, to convict those who fight for the truth and for the rights of the people. And we see that people were convicted and freedom was convicted. People who were fighting for freedom, for truth, for human rights activities were convicted. They were convicted for that human rights work.
"What are you going to do next? Is it worth filing an appeal?"
"In principle, it's clear what life will be like, because this is not Ales' first time in prison, and we have been through it. This does not make the situation any easier. On the contrary, everything is more difficult to perceive today. By keeping the human rights defenders in handcuffs during the trial, the authorities obviously showed a perspective of what kind of sentences will be passed and what kind of life will be next.
I believe that we will file appeals, but we can predict that they will be rejected and the court's decision will remain the same".
"Can anything be done for your family?"
"First and foremost, you must support those who are behind bars. Support should always be expressed in letters, even if they don't always get through. You have to write, no matter what. Also, as long as you can in these days after the sentence, send them small packages. Anything you can: apples, oranges, tangerines, chocolate, dried fruit... Let them feel your support through these small messages".
"For many years, Belarusians have been suffering for their struggle for freedom. And it's not the first time that your husband Ales Bialiatski has been put behind bars. Do you still believe in justice?"
"I understand that truth and justice must prevail. They always do. Those who have been imprisoned, like Ales and many other people, remain unshaken in their faith. The other thing is that, as we can see, the road to freedom is quite difficult, tragic and dramatic. But if you look at history, historically, the truth wins. Those who have committed crimes against people, against truth, have received their historical judgment in the end. It will be the same with those who judge our human rights defenders today, all those who fight for the truth and believe in the truth".
