Alexander Adabashyan writers Lukashenka

• 4.09.2012, 3:25

Russia's prominent playwright and film director calls to release political prisoners.

The website charter97.org received the text of Alexander Adabashyan's letter:

Dear Mr Alyaksandr,

I am Alexander Adabashyan from Moscow and I am writing to you again.

I will not lie and say I keep a close eye on political events in your country. I have enough of what is going on in my country. But my sincere warm feelings towards Belarus make me be concerned about the events in this country. Besides, I regularly receive news from my friends.

I cannot and don't want to discuss court verdicts in another, let a rather close to me country, but I have the right to express my thoughts.

The image of Belarus provokes at least bewilderment in the world today. So why add more black paint to this image? Is there a need to extend prison term for prisoners? Is there a need to worsen confinement conditions for those already suffering from prison life? Take my word for it, these facts don't help, to put it mildly, to all those trying to explain, everyone on his or her level, that Belarus is a country with beautiful people.

I don't want to lecture anybody how to live and in what to believe, but I, like many people of good will, urge to show mercy to Zmitser Dashkevich, Ales Byalyatski, Syarhei Kavalenka, Mikalai Statkevich and Eduard Lobau. You may be sure that you will find more on this way than you can lose by refusing to move in this direction.