Why Lukashenka is afraid of Tikhanovsky
On February 14, a new trial of video blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky began in Zhodzina. In December 2021, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison, on Monday, February 27, another year and a half was added to the sentence-for “disobedience to the demands of the administration” of the colony. DW talked with Tikhanovsky’s acquaintances and associates about what kind of person he is and whether he can be broken by further punishment. All of them themselves were arrested in Belarus and are now abroad.
“Arrived in a BMW with Moscow license plates”
The appearance of Sergei Tikhanovsky on the political scene for many in 2020 came as a surprise. In 2019, Sergei Tikhanovsky founded the Country for Life channel and began to network with other political bloggers in Belarus. Blogger Nikolai Maslovsky says that Sergei arrived at a meeting in Minsk in a BMW with Moscow numbers, which immediately alerted everyone.
“But after we talked, he left a good impression. We began to understand that we have the same values, that he is for business freedom, and for a businessman this means a lot, because it is also based on human freedom,” recalls Maslovsky. across the country, and Belarusians saw that they were not alone. He went to villages, destroyed stables and showed that this was devastation, not what was on TV. Belarus is really different.”
Sergei Tikhanovsky also came to meet the Brest bloggers, the authors of the popular People’s Reporter channel.. One of them, Alyaksandr Kabanov, talks about politics this way: “The man is quite open, he immediately said that what is happening in Belarus does not suit him; that his task is to ensure that Lukashenka is never again in power. ” According to him, Tikhanovsky hoped that “a year, two, three” – and the situation in Belarus would change.
“Tikhanovskiy is a man with balls of steel”
People of different ages, professions and opinions attended meetings with the businessman. Many liked his directness and courage. Among them is Alexander from the city of Mosty, who in 2020 decided to join the initiative group to nominate Tikhanovsky as a presidential candidate: “He is a man with balls of steel. He is not afraid to speak the truth, to defend his point point of view. A man who cannot be broken. Therefore, he inspires confidence, you can follow him.”
When Tikhanovsky, due to detention, was unable to apply as a presidential candidate, his wife Svetlana decided to do it.
Having been released after 15 days of detention, Sergei took an active part in collecting signatures for his registration. On one of these pickets – on May 29, 2020 in Grodno – a fight was staged. As a result, Tikhanovsky and many of his team members. “He told me:” You, most importantly, sit in a tent, do not go anywhere. “I did it. He probably understood (that he could go to jail. – Red.), but perhaps he did not understand that such terms would exist,” recalls Alexander de Mosty.
“Belarusian political bloggers are people with recklessness, dashing, courage, an iron nervous system, because there was constant pressure,” says Nikolai Maslovsky. “And Tikhanovsky stood out in our background because he went so much further and understood what will be.”
Alexander Kabanov says that long before the elections he warned Tikhanovsky about the danger: “I told him that if you run for president, everything will end in prison. To which he replied: “Am I a stsykun? I will go anyway.”
Siarhei Tsikhanouski’s associates believe that his strong character will help him endure the ordeal in prison. A former member of Tikhanovsky’s initiative group, Alexander, calls him a “hard nut” and believes that Sergei will not be imprisoned for the entire term.
Source: DW
Anna White is a journalist at 247 News Reel, where she writes on world news and current events. She is known for her insightful analysis and compelling storytelling. Anna’s articles have been widely read and shared, earning her a reputation as a talented and respected journalist. She delivers in-depth and accurate understanding of the world’s most pressing issues.