Фото: Радыё Свабода
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, in a statement marking the fifth anniversary of Raman Bandarenka’s death, expressed confidence that justice will prevail in Belarus.
“Five years ago, Raman Bandarenka was killed. A man who came out into his courtyard to defend what he loved. He wanted his yard to remain a place of kindness and peace.
I remember November 12, 2020. It was hard to find words then. I also did not know what to say… and still don’t. Many of us simply stayed silent — out of pain, confusion, and the feeling that something was happening that should never happen. Perhaps there are no right words at all when such a terrible tragedy occurs.
Raman died at the hands of those who were afraid and continue to be afraid of the truth. The truth about how this tragedy happened. The truth about why this crime was never investigated. The truth about who killed Raman Bandarenka and why those responsible have not been punished.
Today we warmly remember his courage and his simple human right to freedom. ‘I’m going out’ became a symbol for the entire Belarusian nation.
Today is a day full of sorrow. But we remember all those who suffered from violence and impunity, and we insist: justice will prevail. Belarus will become a country where one can go out into the yard and feel only peace, respect, and safety. Where ‘just living’ will no longer be dangerous to one’s life,” Tsikhanouskaya said in her address.
Raman Bandarenka was at the “Square of Changes” on November 11, 2020, when a group of unidentified people cut down the ribbons placed there. He was beaten several times by unknown individuals, put into a van, and taken to the Central District Police Department, from where he was later transferred to a hospital with a head injury. On November 12, Bandarenka died in the hospital.
On February 18, more than three months after his death, the Prosecutor General’s Office announced the initiation of a criminal case under Part 3 of Article 147 of the Criminal Code (“Intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm resulting in death by negligence”). The investigation into the death of Raman Bandarenka has been suspended.