The first video of Mikalai Statkevich after his release has appeared. He congratulates Belarusians on Freedom Day.
A written message has also been published on the Telegram channel @statkevichm. Statkevich called on people to critically assess the lessons of history and draw the right conclusions.
“I congratulate all Belarusians on Freedom Day!
108 years ago, with the Charter of the Belarusian People’s Republic, our nation declared its desire and right to independence, to its own state.
Without this declaration, there would have been neither the BSSR nor, most likely, the Republic of Belarus. And, given the deliberate imperial policy of Russification, there might not have been our nation itself. The Rada of the BPR used its historic chance, but unfortunately not fully. At that bloody time, the survival of the new state, even its diplomatic recognition by major powers, depended on the presence of a significant military force. Unfortunately, the founding fathers of the BPR were unable to organize such a force. It was not possible to transfer to the homeland from the Romanian front the Belarusian corps formed within the Russian army from Belarusians who had fought in it. History teaches. It is important to critically assess its lessons and draw the right conclusions. So that Belarus does not disappear, so that our country lives.
I am sure — Belarus will be free!
Happy holiday, friends!”, Statkevich said.
It should be recalled that Statkevich was sentenced in 2021 in the “Tsikhanouski case” to 14 years in prison. In September 2025, he was among 52 political prisoners who were to be taken to Lithuania, but he refused to leave Belarus and ran out of the bus. After that, he was held for several months in a prison in Hlybokaye — this became known only after his release on February 19. On January 21, he suffered a stroke and has impaired speech. He is currently at home in Minsk, but his documents have still not been issued, and his legal status remains unclear.
