Bandarenka: I read “Sovetskaya Belorussiya” and “Pressball”, so I stay updated somehow

• 15.03.2011, 13:09

Prisoners of the KGB jail are suffering from information deprivation, writes the coordinator of “European Belarus.”

A coordinator of “European Belarus” civil campaign and an electioneering agent of Andrei Sannikov, Zmitser Bandarenka, has sent a letter from the KGB jail to his wife, Volha Bandarenka.

“Unfortunately, there is shortage of information here (even a term “information deprivation” is used), especially for a person who had been living in the internet in recent years. On the other hand, there is general information which had been ignored by me previously, and such simple pleasures as working crossword puzzles, choosing books in a library! They have many old Soviet books, but now even such books as “Hard to Be a God” by Strugatsky brothers have been received by them… I read “Sovetskaya Belorussiya” (a pro-regime newspaper) and “Pressball.” That is why I stay updated about the situation somehow,” Volha Bandarenka quotes the letter of her husband to charter97.org.

The political prisoner notes that he cannot receive the Bible in Belarusian.

“It won’t be possible to bring the Bible and a prayer book in Belarusian. You will have to buy these books in Russian. You will send these books in mother tongue to the colony later. However, people say it is forbidden either. Well, it is not crucial, but it is strange that imprisoned Belarusian believers cannot be sent Bibles and prayer books in Belarusian.”

Zmitser Bandarenka ends the letter with the words:

“I was praying for Sashka (Andrei Sannikov’s spokesperson Alyaksandr Atroshchankau, who has been sentenced to 4 years of maximum security colony – a note by charter97.org). He is a pioneer. I pray for you, for the birthday child, for my niece and for all our friends. Say hello to sisters and brothers! I wish all of you spring energy and determination!”