Final speeches of the accused: appeals to families and love confessions

Ex-presidential candidates Mikalaj Statkevich, Dzmitry Us and 5 other convicts, considered by the public prosecutor as "the most active participants of mass disturbances", pronounced their final speeches on May 18. Each of them faces from 4 to 8,5 years of imprisonment.

Mikalaj Statkevich thinks all this is the authorities' attempt to turn the public's attention off the falsified election results, a fabrication since the very beginning.

Mikalaj Statkevich: "The public's attention is turned off, he captured the power, and someone broke his doors! They calculated the damage - 14 million roubles, which makes 2 000 dollars according to real exchange rate for today. At the same time, the President's Administration's uncontrolled income makes 100 million dollars a month, which amounts to 6 billion for a presidential term!"

According to Statkevich, a malicious crime was committed on December 19 - one of the presidential candidates kept the power by non-constitutional means, including falsification of election. Mikalaj Statkevich also thinks that the authorities wanted to stir a feeling of revenge in the demonstrators by attacking Nyaklyaeu's adherents. However, their plans failed, it was a peaceful demonstration, apart from a small group of unknown aggressive people.

He also addressed to European diplomats specially: "Please, do not suggest money for our freedom. We should not buy hostages from criminals, as they will take other hostages, and the situation on the country will never change".

Dzmitry Us said he hoped that the electoral system would change before the next election, and it would be held in a democratic way. If there is a need to suffer in prison, he is ready for this. 

Police lieutenant Aliaksandr Klaskouski spoke in Belarusian. According to him, he had an illusion that professional bravery won in the prosecutor and he would re-qualify the accusation, but unfortunately it did not happen. He is convinced he will give evidence in another court against unknown special services, which torture people in the KGB prison.

Aliaksandr Klaskouski: "I would like to save my evidence for future trials - trials against this unknown brigade in camouflage in KGB, in mask, I will tell about all those tortures which they commit against prisoners... Even the supervising prosecutor said "I don't know who they are" when I asked him."

Public prosecutor demands to punish Artsiom Hrybkou with 4 years of imprisonment. The most malicious offence committed by Hrybkou, according to video materials - 15 blows against the fenders.

Artsiom Hrybkou: "I don't consider myself guilty. I caused no damage, I beat no one, and I committed no violence. Anyway, I would like to apologize to my close people and relatives: forgive me, if I've done something wrong! High court, fear passes away for few minutes, while the feeling of guilt lasts for the whole life. Think about it before you pronounce the sentence!"

Andrej Pazniak did not hit the doors of the shields in the video demonstrated by the prosecutor - vice versa, a policeman beat him. Andrej's last words made the audience cry.

Andrej Pazniak: "The main thing is to remain a decent person. Thank you, all of you who trust in us! Be free, God bless you!"

As for Dzmitry Bulanau, he confessed his love to his fiancée, thanked his mother, lawyer and all those who supported him.

Dzmitry Bulanau: "Why excuse oneself, or try to prove something, when everything is obvious! They ask for 4 years of imprisonment for kicking the doors twice - that's fantastic! That is why I just want to thank all the people who supported me and prayed for us near the Catholic Church!"

Sentences to Andrej Pazniak, Dzmitry Bulanau, Artsiom Hrybkou, Aliaksandr Kviatkevich, Aliaksandr Klaskouski, Mikalaj Statkevich and Dzmitry Us will be pronounced at 16.00 on May 20.