Siarhei (name changed at the interlocutor's request) recalled the moment when

was just transferred to their cell.

"Usually, prisoners have two keshars (bags with things. - RS).

"Politicians" (prisoners who are imprisoned for political reasons. — RS) often have only one bag, because they are often transferred from cell to cell.

Ivashin came in with three bags and asked me to help carry them.

One of them was impossible to lift.

He kept manuscripts, books and letters of support there," says Siarhei.

He says that Denis wrote down a lot.

For example, when he heard interesting stories from his cellmates, he could put down his food and take a nap.

"He has authority both among "politicians" and among ordinary prisoners.

Those like him are one in a thousand.

If the prisoners are offered to plead guilty and promise to cut the term in half, most of them do so.

Denis was initially threatened with 3 years in prison, then he was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the article about "treason", and he still refuses to write "repentance", they say, do what you want, but the truth is on my side, and I will continue to do what did," says Siarhei.

Denis Ivashyn

Rumors about Ivashyn are circulating throughout the prison, as if he is unbreakable and ideological.

"They can't stand him *** (prison staff. — RS).

They will take revenge on him as they can.

For example, they organize "helicopters" - they transfer everything from cell to cell every few hours.

It is difficult to adapt to a new team.

So he will get to know and get used to being "kilished" again (moved to another cell. - RS)," says the former prisoner.

According to the interlocutor, Ivashin always makes the sign of the cross before eating and prays silently, even if he is too hungry.

He has with him a wooden cross and a Uniate Bible.

Denis is a member of the Greek Catholic Church.

"He loves his wife very much and loves lard," the cellmate summed up the portrait of Ivashin briefly.

Denis Ivashyn

As Denis's wife ,

, said, the relatives do not know the details of the case, nor what format the trial will take.

They are preparing for the fact that the process will be closed, because "state secrets will be examined."

"I don't know where Denis got these secrets," Olga remarks ironically, because her husband conducted journalistic investigations based on information from open sources accessible to everyone.

As far as his wife knows, Denis's mood is cheerful, he has already recovered from the infection he suffered in prison.

He believes that soon all political prisoners will be released.

Olga says that Denis assumed that Russia's war with Ukraine would begin in 2023.

Since the war started earlier, according to Denis, the regimes of Putin and Lukashenka will fall earlier.

"He most regrets the time that he could have done something useful, instead of sitting behind bars," adds Olga.

Denis Ivashyn with his wife Olga

Correspondence with Ivashin is very weak.

On average, one letter per month arrives in both directions (to him and his relatives).

"With sincere and strong faith, we move forward and take a confident step into the future.

In spite of supernatural challenges, threats, strong stormy wind - we walk steadfastly, stubbornly and resolutely.

Let's not deviate from the path of truth, truth, sacrificial Faith," wrote Denis in one of his last letters to his wife Olga.

Denis Ivashyn with his wife Olga

Denis asked to congratulate on his behalf not only friends and acquaintances, but also "friends-defenders", presumably speaking of the defenders of Ukraine.

"My Sun, under God's Grace we will endure all the sufferings, trials and tribulations with you.

Let's harden our spirit and strengthen spiritually our family with you, sanctified by our Lord.

My Volenka, the light of my life, my kind, sweet, gentle, bright and most devoted wife, I will definitely make a pilgrimage to you!

My bunny, I love you unbearably strongly, boundlessly, immeasurably!!!

Forever yours, Dzianiska," the imprisoned journalist warmly concluded his letter to his wife.

Denis Ivashyn with his wife Olga

Soon it will be 1.5 years since Denis was detained.

The trial is ahead in the case, which human rights activists called politically motivated.

Who is Denis Ivashyn

• Denis Ivashyn was born on June 6, 1979 in Hrodna.

• Investigative journalist.

  Economist and political scientist by education.

  Married.

• He worked as a journalist in the independent newspaper "Novy Chas" and as a volunteer editor of the Belarusian version of the website of the international community InformNapalm, which investigates the impact of Russian aggression on other countries.

• Known for his publications about the scandalous construction in Kurapaty, for which he and the newspaper "Novy Chas" sued the developer, as well as about the influence of the "Russian world" on Belarus and Syria.

• Ivashyn was detained by KGB officers on March 12, 2021, when he went to the pharmacy to buy medicine for his grandmother.

  He was charged under Criminal Article 365 ("Interference in the activities of internal affairs officers").

  He faces up to 3 years in prison.

• Relatives and colleagues believe that Ivashyn's detention is connected with his latest investigation into former Ukrainian Berkut soldiers who got a job in the Belarusian riot police.

  The journalist was detained the next day after he gave an interview about it to the TV channel "Nastoyashe Vremya".

• Ivashin has Ukrainian roots and the status of a foreign Ukrainian.

  During the search of his house, they searched for books and other things related to Ukraine.

  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reacted to his detention and stated that journalistic activity cannot be the reason for persecution.

• In May 2021, Ivashyn's grandmother died, but he was not allowed to say goodbye to her.

• According to relatives, correspondence with Denis is irregular, many letters do not reach both sides.

• In June, it became known that Denis had a heart attack while in prison.

  He was called to a cardiologist, an electrocardiogram was performed, and medication was prescribed.

• The European Federation of Journalists demanded the release of Ivashyn and other journalists imprisoned in Belarus.