Dashkevich expects Babaryka and Kalesnikava to publicly admit mistakes

Zmitser Dashkevich, March 2026. Photo: Nasha Niva

When asked about his attitude towards Viktar Babaryka and Maryia Kalesnikava, Zmitser Dashkevich answered frankly: in 2020, these figures "did not interest him at all." However, today he acknowledges the importance of their step.

"I believe it is very good that a person like Viktar Babaryka came out of this system and challenged it.

I am not personally acquainted with him. (...) We wrote letters to all political prisoners, and we wrote to Babaryka. And we prayed for Babaryka, for Maryia Kalesnikava. And Viktar answered us something, and the children drew pictures.

It's good that people rose up against lies. The day came when they rose up."

But along with respect, Dashkevich also expresses harsh criticism:

"One should not dwell in the past that drags you down and consumes you. And if you don't move forward — what are you claiming? What are you talking about? (...) When I listened to [what they said] in Chernihiv — I blushed. It was a wild horror."

Павялічыць

Viktar Babaryka and Maryia Kalesnikava at a press conference in Chernihiv. December 14, 2025. Photo: LookByMedia

According to Zmitser, he expected an apology from Babaryka and Kalesnikava for what they had said earlier, but this did not happen in the form he considers necessary:

"I expected him, and Maryia, to say: 'Well, forgive us, guys, we messed up.' But they pretend that everything is normal.

But, as the Belarusian people say, when are you lying? Were you lying then, or are you lying now? You are saying contradictory things. And my claim is: just don't lie!"

Dashkevich mentioned that Stas Karpau explained to him the reasons for such "tactical" insincerity of the politician back in 2020, but Zmitser is convinced that this should not be done, because "we already have the father of lies."

"One is enough. Therefore

thank God that people like Viktar Babaryka, and others who perhaps were even closer to this system, left it, stood up and supported the truth. Super! We need to thank these people for taking this step.

Babaryka made a great sacrifice. And continues to do so. His son suffers. He has been tortured for the sixth year. Viktar is making this sacrifice. But let's try to reason," Dashkevich explains his position.

Speaking about Maryia Kalesnikava, Zmitser noted that he is not personally acquainted with her and did not meet her in "Malady Front":

"But my letters to Kalesnikava and, perhaps, her replies are in the materials of the criminal case for which I was imprisoned in 2022. GUBADZIK attached these letters to political prisoners as proof that I am a criminal," says Dashkevich.

He recalls that one of the security forces who accompanied him after his detention sharply criticized Zmitser for involving his children in writing letters to political prisoners along with him: "I would simply destroy you for involving children in politics."

"Maryia performed a heroic act. We all need to remember, when criticizing people, that perhaps they did not do the right thing, did not express themselves correctly, perhaps some foolishness.

We still need to remember everyone's deed in 2020. Everyone's sacrifice. This will allow us to criticize with some love, with understanding.

Well, you said and did nonsense.

In my opinion, you just need to apologize for that nonsense. Just say: well, it was foolishness," concludes the former political prisoner.

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