Dzmitry Rusetski worked at International House in Minsk. He was detained at his home on 16 December 2021. Security officers recorded a "repentance video" in which he confessed to having taken part in protests. For this, he was sentenced to 4 years' imprisonment in a maximum-security colony.
We were contacted by Mikalai Maminau, Dzmitry's friend, a documentary filmmaker, photographer and journalist with IFJ Belgium. Dzmitry's family declines contact, so Mikalai shared his memories of his friend so that you can get to know the political prisoner better.
I met Dzima as a child, when we were 11 or 12. He lived with his mother for a very long time because of his nervous condition. That is also why he was later not drafted into the army. Dzima was interested in animals, cats and dogs, and did animal training; he even had a diploma in it.
According to his friend, Dzmitry did not get an education for personal reasons, so he took various jobs. He worked as a loader, a security guard and a general labourer. At the time of his arrest, Dzmitry Rusetski was working at International House (note: a language school) in Minsk. He did secretarial work: supervising exams, communication between offices, e-mail mailings. The school was founded by his father, who is now retired.
Dzmitry Rusetski. Photo from the interviewee's archive
Dzmitry is a kind and caring person. He always helped his friends, whether it was looking after their children or helping with renovations. Whatever happened in life, Dzima always came to the rescue.
Our interviewee went to vote and took part in protests together with Dzmitry. In autumn 2020, Mikalai was arrested on an administrative charge. He spent many days in detention and eventually left the country. Dzmitry decided to stay. Our interviewee believes that Dzmitry Rusetski may have been tracked down through geolocation.
Many of my friends are now behind bars: some have been there for a long time, some not. I believe it is essential to support all our political prisoners. Writing letters and postcards matters, even though it is hard to make sure they reach the addressee. I'm afraid letters from me would not get through, so I contribute through support initiatives and human rights organisations. I think everyone can find a way of helping that suits them.
Less-lethal weapons used by security forces near Riga shopping centre (Minsk), archive of the interviewee
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