Iryna Halip: There can be no ex-political prisoners

“These bastards stole 3 years of my life. Did I have to go to prison after that? If somebody thinks that I am free now, they are mistaken. I spent over 2 years under house arrest. Don’t forget that I spent 5 months in prison.  Do I have to thank them for not sending me to prison?” Iryna Halip emotionally commented on the sentence pronounced by judge Ryta Shahrai.

The ex-presidential’ candidate Andrei Sannikau’s wife was returned guilty of organization of mass riots after Dec.19 2010 presidential election in 2011. She was sentenced to 2 years of imprisonment with a 2-year respite. Iryna was obliged to be at home by 10 p.m. every day, ask the police for permission to leave Minsk and to behave very well. A representative of the inspectorate that controlled Iryna said that they did not have any remarks about her behaviour and asked to release her.

The court agreed and Halip’s sentence was vacated. However, it did not change her attitude to Belarusian justice. There can be no ex-political prisoners in Belarus, she said.

“We greeted Yaromenak, Parfyankou and others the same way. So what? They are about to be imprisoned again. Parfyankou will evidently be imprisoned for the third time. There can be no ex-political prisoners in Belarus.”

Strange things preceded the court’s decision. Judge Ryta Shahrai was embarrassed by cameras and journalists (although she is very attractive) and did not want to enter the court room while they were there. However, she was the only person who could tell them to leave.

Halip and her lawyer were invited to a small room, photographers got wonderful photos of Halip looking at them from behind the bars and judge Shahrai was shown on major Russian TV channels. The hearing was resumed after all the present had left the court room.  It only took 15 minutes.

Iryan Halip has not thought about her plans yet. She asked journalists when bars and cafés closed down in Minsk.

“What plans? I do not know anything about my plans for the evening. I cannot think about long-terms plans. Today is the first time in the past two years when I do not have to be home before 10 p.m. I should think of a way to make use of it.”

Another political prisoner is expected to be released next week – on July 25. Uladzimir Nyaklyeu should become free. The hearing will be held in Minsk Justice House in Syamashka Street.

Photo report from court: Iryna Halip’s trial (photo)