«Baseness Reigns Over the Land». Uladzimir Niakliayeu Dedicated a Poem to Katsiaryna Andreyeva
The poet published a poem on his Facebook, dedicating it to the Belsat journalist who was released this Thursday.
Baseness reigns over the land. What then must
This baseness do to our land?
Not leave Belarus alive,
But deaden, render Belarus lifeless!
And perhaps the country would be dead,
Unable to endure the lifeless burden,
Were it not for your smile, Katsiaryna,
Your biblical — behind bars! — face.
Were it not for your eyes, which even in pain,
In deeply hidden tears
Are so filled with eternal love,
As if shining in icons.
Katsiaryna Andreyeva was arrested in November 2020. She did not return home from the Square of Changes, from where she was broadcasting live for Belsat. Andreyeva and camerawoman Darya Chultsova were allowed onto a resident's balcony, but security forces stormed the apartment. A criminal case was opened against the girls, and they were sentenced to 2 years of imprisonment each for «participation» in the protests.
However, when Darya Chultsova was released after serving her term, a new criminal case was opened against Katsiaryna Andreyeva — for «treason». In total, the journalist received 8 years and 3 months of imprisonment.