Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's explanation about the death of the political captive Valiantsin Shmerer

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: A political prisoner, Valiantsin Shmerer, died behind bars. And when I try to express what I feel in words, nothing seems appropriate.

How many other deaths have to take place before the world finally understands the extent of the tragedy in Belarus? Valiantsin was one of those who should never have ended up in prison. He was not locked up because of a crime – but because of his conscience, for the truth, because of dignity.

I personally didn't know Valiantsin. But I understand that he was a man of the principle. I have no doubt that he was loved and expected at home.

We cannot get used to death. We must not accept it as some routine. Each loss is a wound, a memory of the responsibility that we all bear – for those who are still in prison, for those who did not live to see freedom, and for those who are still fighting.

I press Valiantsin's family and I love my sincere condolences. We have to fight – for Valiantsin and for everyone who gave her life for a free Belarus. “