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Today, former political prisoners released on December 13 and expelled to Ukraine are holding a press conference for Ukrainian journalists in Chernihiv. The broadcast is being organized by Suspilne.
The press conference is attended by Viasna lawyer Uladzimir Labkovich, politicians Viktar Babaryka and Maria Kalesnikava, and publicist Aliaksandr Fiaduta.
Maria Kalesnikava was the first to speak:
I think you all understand how very difficult it is to find words to describe how happy we all are to be free. We are glad that so many people have been released, and of course we are waiting for the next steps.
Personally, I want to thank my beloved family, who were with me all this time, and through kilometers, walls, barriers, and bars I felt the support of my father, my sister, all my relatives, loved ones, friends, all colleagues, musicians, people of art, and in general all the people with whom I have ever worked, whom I am friends with and have been friends with. Those people whom I do not know.
I know that there are very many of them all over the world. I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart, and it is truly difficult to find words to express love and gratitude.
I am grateful to everyone involved in making it possible for us to gather here today, for us to be released into freedom.
I want to thank Donald Trump and his team for what is happening now, for the fact that the situation has moved off dead center and there is hope for positive changes.
I want to thank President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the entire Ukrainian people for welcoming us yesterday, for the fact that yesterday and today we feel your love and support. We understand how incredibly difficult it is at a time of war—when the Ukrainian people themselves are suffering so much—to support us so strongly and surround us with such care. Each of us feels this.
I say thank you to Alyaksandr Ryhoravich for making it possible to release people—our release. And I will welcome all further steps in this direction.
I say thank you to all, all, all people of good will who have been with us all this time.