On January 16, the trial of journalist and activist of the Independent Union of Poles of Belarus

Andrzej Pachobut

began .

The political prisoner is accused of inciting restrictive actions aimed at harming the national security of the Republic of Belarus (Part 3, Article 361 of the Criminal Code), as well as inciting other social enmity (Part 3, Article 130 of the Criminal Code).

Democratic leader of Belarus

Sviatlana Tsikhanovskaya

expressed her opinion about the trial of the journalist in the major Polish publication Gazeta Wyborcza, whose correspondent is Andrzej Pachobut.

"Everyone knows that these [accusations against Pachobut] are lies, but the masks of Lukashenka's regime have been removed a long time ago, and he does not care to maintain even a semblance of trust.

That's why he accuses people of absurd things," said the politician.

Svetlana Tikhanovskaya emphasized that the main goal of the regime is to break people, deprive them of their good qualities, force them to repent of crimes they did not commit, causing them physical and psychological pain.

"We see that the regime's efforts against Andrzej are not working.

When in the fall of 2021 he was asked to beg for pardon in exchange for the promise of release, he refused.

As a result, the Belarusian KGB added Andrzej to the list of persons "involved in terrorist activities".

In addition to him, this register includes 247 Belarusians who are fighting for the freedom of Belarus.

In this way, the prison authorities keep track of who needs to be changed from terrible to unbearable conditions of detention.

Andrzej now has even less contact with the outside world, and he is not allowed to send him parcels or money for small purchases in the prison store.

But the most painful thing is that "terrorists" are deprived of meetings with their families, the right to telephone conversations, and often letters.

Nevertheless, we know that Andrzej is holding on.

Such strong people as Andrei drive the Belarusian regime crazy."

"For Lukashenka, Poland is not only a neighboring country, but also the embodiment of the hated West"

Tsikhanovskaya reminded that this is not the first time the authorities have tried to break Andrzej.

"For publications, including

in "Gazeta Wyborcza" he was already punished with fines and administrative arrests.

He was tried twice for "insulting the president".

Nevertheless, Andrzej continued his journalistic activity, all in order to let Belarusians and citizens of other countries know the truth about what is happening in our country.

Andrzej is also known as a person who fights for the rights of the Polish minority.

And for Lukashenka, Poland is not only a neighboring country, but also the embodiment of the hated West and European values.

It is in relation to Poland that Belarusians evaluate their standard of living, compare prices in stores, economic development, the labor market and business opportunities."

The Tikhonov leader believes that "the time of the regime is over."

"In the early 1990s, Belarus occupied a very similar starting position [as Poland].

But under Lukashenka, it suffered an economic, political, social and demographic failure... It is not surprising: because all this time we were going in opposite directions!

While Poland was moving forward towards Europe and the future under the leadership of Lukashenka, it was returning to the past, to the "five years" and "battles for the harvest".

When at the beginning of his administration, Lukashenko said: "I will not lead Belarus to the civilized world!", many people then thought that he had reneged.

Unfortunately, this turned out to be true.

Belarus is now in a deep crisis, on the verge of losing the remnants of its sovereignty... Comparing Belarus with Poland, Belarusians clearly see what Lukashenka's regime has turned our country into."

"Millions of Belarusian citizens chose the path of freedom in 2020.

It's unstoppable."

According to Tsihanovska, Lukashenka will take revenge on Poland for this.

"He closes Polish schools, destroys the graves of Home Army soldiers, imprisons and tortures the leaders of the Union of Poles of Belarus Anzhalika Boris and Andrzej Pachobut.

The regime makes absurd accusations against Andrzej.

And, of course, what awaits Andrzej cannot be called a trial.

This is a farce.

This is an attempt to destroy strong and brave people.

An attempt to break Andrzej, as well as my husband Sergei, who was affected by 18 years of imprisonment, as well as thousands of other people imprisoned by the regime.

But it is also the regime's revenge for its own fear, revenge for lost time.

And he clearly feels it, which is why he's so angry.

Millions of Belarusian citizens chose the path of freedom in 2020.

It's unstoppable."