Ales Bialiatski: There Was No Question Of Ukraine And Crimea For Statkevich

The Nobel laureate commented on the courageous act of the opposition leader.

Former political prisoner, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski commented "Zerkalo" on the refusal of Belarusian opposition leader Nikolai Statkevich to leave his native country in exchange for freedom:

- A high-minded act. And not everyone could go for it, of course. But knowing Nikolai for more than thirty years, knowing his steadfast position, I realize that only he could do such a thing. I appreciate that. It is his personal choice to continue the struggle in this way. After all, if there are political prisoners in the country - politicians, public figures, human rights activists - it is a clear indicator of what is happening in the country, that there are huge problems with human rights, that there is a dictatorship that keeps political opponents in prison.

This way is hard. It takes incredible toughness to endure it, I [have] deep respect for that. And I think that the question about Ukraine and Crimea was never a question for Nikolai. Because this is a man with a clear firm position. I really hope that sooner or later, preferably sooner, he will still be free.

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