How Natallia Hershe, sent to a penal colony for tearing off an officer's balaclava, lives now
While Natallia was imprisoned, her three cats in Switzerland were given to other people. She was only able to buy back her British Shorthair cat Chanel as soon as she was free.
Photo here and further: Natallia Hershe's Facebook
Natallia Hershe, a Belarusian with Swiss citizenship, was detained at a women's march in Minsk in September 2020. For tearing off an officer's balaclava, she was sentenced to 2.5 years in a penal colony. But she was released earlier, in February 2022, thanks to the efforts of Swiss diplomats.
The former political prisoner told Schweizer Illustriert about her current life.
After returning to Switzerland, Natallia's life was in ruins. Her relationship with her beloved man fell apart, and almost all her personal belongings disappeared. "I have almost nothing left." For weeks, she slept in her daughter's room in Zurich.
Later, Natallia Hershe moved in with her former partner, but they broke up eight months ago. She now lives in the Swiss city of St. Gallen.
After her release, Natallia, who has been painting for many years, looked for ways to realize herself professionally.
Eventually, she turned her attention to the Werkheim Neuschwende institution in Trogen, where people with cognitive impairments live and work. Hershe got an internship there. Today, she is completing a two-year training program to become an educator.
For example, she creates artistic postcards together with the residents of the institution. "It's nice to see how people develop a sense of self-worth and pride through independent work."
While Natallia was imprisoned, her three cats in Switzerland were given to other people. She was only able to buy back her British Shorthair cat Chanel as soon as she was free.
Natallia and her cat Chanel
Every Sunday, the woman attends church. "I know people whose greatest fear is being abandoned by others. I experienced it myself – it's painful. But my greatest fear is being abandoned by God."
She cannot return to Belarus as long as a dictatorship reigns there. Would she do anything differently today? No. "I did it not for myself, but for all my ancestors and for all my descendants. [...] I stood up for what I believe is right. Now I want to continue building my life – and look forward."