Bialiatski recounted how he learned about the Nobel Prize in the pre-trial detention center
"I learned about it in the corridor of the pre-trial detention center from other inmates who were standing and saying, 'it seems you've been given the Nobel Prize'."
Screenshot from video
Ales Bialiatski recounted in an interview with DW Belarus how he learned about the Nobel Prize in the pre-trial detention center.
"I learned about it in the corridor of the pre-trial detention center from other inmates who were standing and saying, 'it seems you've been given the Nobel Prize'. A few minutes later, when I met with my lawyer, she indeed confirmed this news. And it was absolutely unexpected for me. Although I was on this list of Nobel Prize nominees, which usually includes over 200 people each year. I was on this list more than once, but the chances were always very small, considering both the number of people and the problems they face and deal with.
It was actually almost impossible to receive the Nobel Prize. I always took it very calmly, as something that would never actually happen.
And when it happened, I was simply shocked. I didn't believe it at first. 'This can't be!'"
He noted that the award was given "for the heroism, I would say, mass heroism, shown by Belarusians during the mass protests of 2020." And the fact that it was shared by representatives of Belarusian, Ukrainian, and Russian civil society emphasizes the context of the war we are in.
Has the Nobel Committee already contacted Ales?
"They made their statement, and we should contact them ourselves very soon. I am very grateful to the Nobel Committee for this award, for not forgetting about me or my family during all these three years I was in detention."
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