{"id":11304,"date":"2021-12-15T17:27:33","date_gmt":"2021-12-15T14:27:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/api.pozirk.online\/longreads\/cichanouski-gets-long-sentence-in-retaliation-for-sharp-edged-campaign\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T20:29:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T20:29:13","slug":"cichanouski-gets-long-sentence-in-retaliation-for-sharp-edged-campaign","status":"publish","type":"longreads","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/11304\/","title":{"rendered":"Cichano\u016dski gets long sentence in retaliation for sharp-edged campaign"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n By Aliaksandr Klasko\u016dski, BPN <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n Siarhiej Cichano\u016dski could be Aliaksandr Luka\u0161enka\u2019s archrival in the 2020 presidential race. He was handed an 18-year prison sentence on December 14 in retaliation for harsh criticism of the incumbent. <\/b>\n<\/p>\n

<\/b><\/p>\n

\n\t The Homiel judge also sentenced Cichano\u016dski\u2019s associates and politician Mikalaj Statkievi\u010d to prison terms of 14 to 16 years.\n<\/p>\n

Personal revenge<\/span> <\/h2>\n

\n\t Cichano\u016dski and businessman Viktar Babaryka planned to challenge Luka\u0161enka in the 2020 presidential election. Both were arrested long before voting. Babaryka was sentenced to 14 years in prison earlier this year.\n<\/p>\n

\n\t Babaryka got away with a shorter sentence, probably, because he was more cautious and diplomatic in his remarks, and left the sharpest criticism to Cichano\u016dski, in hope of being able to claim a high ground of conducting a \u201crespectful\u201d campaign.\n<\/p>\n

\n\t Cichano\u016dski referred to Luka\u0161enka as a pest and displayed a huge gym shoe at his improvised rallies. He toured the country to collect voter signatures in support of his nomination.\n<\/p>\n

\n\t Throughout his 27-year rule, Luka\u0161enka has proved that he remembers all insults and never misses an opportunity to avenge.\n<\/p>\n

\n\t Luka\u0161enka punished Cichano\u016dski also for the phenomenal success of his wife Sviatlana in the presidential election. Indirect evidence suggests that she defeated the incumbent.\n<\/p>\n

\n\t After she was forced out of the country, Sviatlana has engaged in shuttle diplomacy to secure the release of Belarus\u2019 political prisoners.\n<\/p>\n

Leaders locked out, others intimidated<\/span> <\/h2>\n

\n\t Authorities have locked out charismatic protest leaders. Statkievich was arrested in May 2020 as he walked to a rally authorized by the city government. He was punished because of his past record of leading street protests and criticizing authorities.\n<\/p>\n

\n\t The long sentences are a warning to disenchanted Belarusians against sticking their noses in politics as well as a message to the West that its sanctions trigger the government\u2019s harsh response.\n<\/p>\n

\n\t Minsk also seeks to raise the bets: the longer the sentences, the more the West will have to pay for the release of political prisoners.\n<\/p>\n

Cycle of terror<\/span> <\/h2>\n

\n\t Minsk managed to unfreeze its ties with the West after crackdowns that followed the 2006 and 2010 presidential elections. It released political prisoners and somewhat opened up to the West, while the latter suspended sanctions and engaged with the regime in an attempt to make a positive impact. Both thaws ended in failure.\n<\/p>\n

\n\t Luka\u0161enka is unlikely to ease the crackdown before a constitutional referendum coming up in late February. He may refuse to make any concessions to the EU and the United States after the plebiscite in defiance of Western sanctions and despite his growing dependence on Moscow.\n<\/p>\n

\n\t The 2020 protests were of an unprecedented scale. Officials realize that public discontent can spill over again, in spite of intimidation.\n<\/p>\n

\n\t Luka\u0161enka will do his best not to show his weaknesses. The release of any political prisoners may be taken by his opponents as a sign of his retreat and a signal to attack.\n<\/p>\n

\n\t After the August 2020 presidential election, the Belarusian regime has turned into a typical police state with elements of totalitarianism. It is difficult to imagine it making progress in the opposite direction. Luka\u0161enka has been locked in a cycle of terror. He cannot improve his reputation and win over voters, so he keeps infusing terror in the minds of the people.\n<\/p>\n

\n\t The chance of hypothetical negotiations between Minsk and the West is remote now that the EU and the United States consider Luka\u0161enka an illegitimate leader.\n<\/p>\n

\n\t Anyway, many observers agree that Cichano\u016dski will not remain behind bars for 18 years. The regime based on terror is unlikely to last.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Aliaksandr Klasko\u016dski, BPN Siarhiej Cichano\u016dski could be Aliaksandr Luka\u0161enka\u2019s archrival in the 2020 presidential race. He was handed an 18-year prison sentence on December 14 in retaliation for harsh criticism of the incumbent. The Homiel judge also sentenced Cichano\u016dski\u2019s associates and politician Mikalaj Statkievi\u010d to prison terms of 14 to 16 years. Personal revenge […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":75,"featured_media":0,"template":"","rubric":[22],"class_list":["post-11304","longreads","type-longreads","status-publish","hentry","rubric-theviewer"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nCichano\u016dski gets long sentence in retaliation for sharp-edged campaign | Pozirk<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"By Aliaksandr Klasko\u016dski, BPN Siarhiej Cichano\u016dski could be Aliaksandr Luka\u0161enka\u2019s archrival in the 2020 presidential race. 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