“Brochure about Byalyatski was shown to him from afar"

Euroradio: Alyas Byalyatski has been imprisoned for over a year. Has he been replaced in the position of the vice-President of the Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)?

Sasha Kulayeva: Ales is a member of the international administration of the FIDH. We do not think that his position is vacant or taken.

Euroradio: Does Ales receive all your letters?

Sasha Kulayeva: The correspondence is mostly regular. But it is clear that we cannot discuss work issues.

Euroradio: Have you managed to send something to Byalyatski?

Sasha Kulayeva: We published a big brochure about Byalyatski in three languages. I know that Ales was not allowed to get it, but it was shown to him from a distance.

Euroradio: Let us discuss Byalyatski's chances to receive the Sakharov's Prize. The competition is great. Moreover, Pussi Riot are also on the short-list and they are a media bomb despite the fact that they are in prison...

Sasha Kulayeva:  There is a chance. But it is necessary to understand that different criteria are used for it. Belarusians received two Sakharov Prizes on end not long ago. The European Parliament cannot award only Belarusians. By the way, Ales has been nominated for a number of other international awards including the Nobel Prize this year.   I am sure that his work will be appreciated in any case.

Euroradio's note. Sasha Kulayeva is the head of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Desk of the International Federation for Human Rights. Sasha knows Ales Byalyatski well and cooperates with him in many international human rights initiatives.