#WeStandBYyou: New Godparents

As part of our #WeStandBYyou campaign, Edward Mountain, Jackson Carlaw and Rachael Hamilton (all Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party), Claire Baker (Scottish Labour) and Kevin Stewart (Scottish National Party) have become godparents to Andrei Krylou, Zhanna Dashkevich, Viktoryia Damastoi, Tamaz & Tsimur Pipiya and Aliaksandr Nikitsin.

Andrei Krylou, a technical engineer, was arrested on 16 April 2021. He was accused of encouraging participation in ‘mass riots’ in a chat group. Although he did not plead guilty, he was sentenced to 5 years in prison for “Organisation of riots” (Art. 293-1).

Edward Mountain is a Member of Parliament for the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. He has become the godparent of Andrei Krylou and explains: “Freedom of speech in Belarus is only available to those who agree with the President. Everyone else has to do what they are told. I call for the release of Andrei Krylou!”

Zhanna Dashkevich is a grandmother of three and has worked as a psychologist for many years. She was arrested and charged for making donations to Ukraine. Zhanna was sentenced to imprisonment by the court for “Creation of or participation in an extremist formation” (Art. 361-1) and “Participation or preparing to participate in hostilities on foreign soil” (Art. 361-3). The length of her sentence is not known.

Jackson Carlaw (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party) has been a member of the Scottish Parliament since 2016 and is a former party leader. He stands in solidarity with Zhanna Dashkevich and states: “Zhanna has been charged and sentenced by the regime of Alexander Lukashenko for her support of Ukraine, against the invasion by Russia. Standing up for an illegally invaded country, international law, and for justice and compassion, is not a criminal offense. She should be released immediately, along with all other political prisoners in Belarus.”

Viktoryia Damastoi, a mother of three young children, was arrested by the KGB on 23 January 2024 for writing letters to political prisoners. She was tried for “Promoting extremist activities” (Art. 361-4) due to her support for political prisoners. She was also charged with “Incitement to hatred” (Art. 130), “Insulting the President” (Art.368), and “Violation of public order” (Art. 342). The judge sentenced her to 4 years in prison.

Rachael Hamilton (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party) is deputy chair of the Committee on Equality, Human Rights and Civil Liberties, as well as being the party’s deputy leader. Through her godparenthood, she supports Viktoryia Damastoi and explains: “In January 2024, Viktoryia was detained by the KGB for writing letters and transferring money to the accounts of political prisoners. It’s unacceptable that this simple act of compassion for others is what led to her arrest and imprisonment by Alexander Lukasheko’s regime. I call for her immediate release so that she can be returned to her young children and be the mother that she surely longs to be.”

Tamaz & Tsimur Pipiya are brothers and football fans. They were arrested at the end of September 2020 on suspicion of organising mass unrest. Tamaz was subsequently sentenced to five years in prison for “Participation in riots” (Art. 293-2). Tsimur was charged with “Violence or threat against an official” (Art. 366), “Violation of public order” (Art. 342) and “Participation in riots” (Art. 293-2), and was sentenced to 6 years, 3 months and 2 days in prison. Tsimur was denied contact with his lawyer or family for a year. Tamaz was punished with solitary confinement several times and became so ill due to the harsh conditions that he had to be hospitalised. On 5 November 2024, Tamaz appeared in court again and was sentenced to an additional 18 months for allegedly disobeying the prison administration.

Claire Baker is a Member of Parliament for the Scottish Labour Party and is taking on a double godparenthood. In her role as godparent, she makes the following statement: “I support the brothers Tamaz and Tsimur who are among the many unfortunate victims of oppression and political persecution in Belarus, and am calling for an end to their unjust imprisonment. I am pleased to join the Libereco godparent campaign and to stand alongside many other parliamentarians in Europe in supporting these victims of human rights abuses. Tamaz and Tsimur should be released immediately, along with all other political prisoners in Belarus.”

Aliaksandr Nikitsin was a local historian who worked in a museum dedicated to Belarusian traditions before being drafted into the military. On 3 May 2024, he was found guilty of an ‘administrative offence’ for subscribing to an ‘extremist’ website. In September 2024, he was convicted again and handed an unknown prison sentence for allegedly “Violation of public order” (Art. 342).

Kevin Stewart (Scottish National Party) has already held several ministerial posts in the Scottish Parliament. As godparent to Aliaksandr Nikitsin, he stands by his side and says: “I support Aliaksandr Nikitsin and believe he and thousands of other political prisoners should be released immediately. Aliaksandr and thousands of peaceful and innocent Belarusians who have been locked up by the Lukashenko regime when they should be at home, or working, or enjoying time with their families and loved ones. Instead, years and years of innocent people’s lives are being wasted in inhumane conditions. I call for Aliaksandr’s release, and the release of all political prisoners in Belarus.”