We remember...

In the quiet tolerant Belarus the war has been waged for 5 years. It is a war where there are killed and missing. The third millennium has begun. The country is not lost in the African jungle but is situated in the center of Europe.

The mysterious death of Gennady Karpenko on April 6, 1999 – the most probable opposition candidate for president of Belarus – shook Belarusians. It was impossible to believe that a person in his heyday suddenly passed away. Indirect hints, allusions and sincere confessions of people who say they know but they will not talk, as that they fear for their lives under the present regime, let the point be maintained that his death was not accidental.

Ex-Minister of Internal Affairs Yuri Zakharenko, Deputy of the Supreme Council Viktor Gonchar, businessman Anatoly Krasovski, ORT camera man Dmitry Zavadski have been kidnapped. Entrepreneur and Deputy of the Supreme Council Andrei Klimov is languishing in prison. Their mothers, wives, and children are waiting for them.

Life and circumstances of murders and kidnapping of well-known politicians of Belarus show the cynicism and impunity of the Belarusian regime. Basic human rights are violated here: the right to work, freedom of expression and media, and the most fundamental, the right to life.

Alexander Lukashenko (from his speech to KGB board on November, 28):

“All brotherly mass media in unison with west well-wishers try to accuse me, the president, of the disappearance of people. Famous people. They scream unanimously: Lukashenko is guilty. These are democrats.... They convicted me without a court. So, in order that journalists don’t worry about all these notorious cases and crimes I want to say the following: Yes, I am guilty that this has happened in our state, because I am president. And don’t look for guilty people any more. I am taking the whole responsibility for this. That is why I underline again: don’t try to find guilty ones. Only I am guilty. But I will be judged for that only when, by people who would have big ideas about it, the people refuse to trust me... That is why I underline one more time: I am guilty and I am responsible for everything that is taking place in our state.”

WE ACCUSE THE RULING REGIME:

of murder:
of deputy of president of Supreme Soviet, the vice-chairman of UCP (United Civic Party) Gennady Karpenko
of forced kidnapping:
of deputy of Supreme Soviet, member of UCP Victor Gonchar
of ex-minister of Internal Affairs of Republic of Belarus member of the UCP Yuriy Zakharenko
of journalist Dmitry Zavadski
of businessman Anatoly Krasovski
of illegal sentence and keeping in prison:
of deputy of Supreme Soviet, member of UCP Andrei Klimov
of deputy of Supreme Soviet, member of UCP Vladimir Kudinov
of ex-prime minister Mikhail Chigir
of ex-minister of agriculture Vasily Leonov

The following materials were used for the book: “Was G.Karpenko killed?” book; the following bulletins of the Assotiation “Legal Assistance to Population” “Independent Investigation: Where is Yuriy Zakharenko?”; “Independent Investigation: Where is Victor Gonchar and Anatoliy Krasovskiy?”

We are greatful to the families of the G.Karpenko, Y.Zakharaenko, A.Krasovskiy, D.Zavadskiy, A.Klimov, V.Leonov, V.Kudinov for sharing their families’ archieves materials, pictures and documents.