To me, Zhenya was, is and will remain a person with a heightened sense of justice. It seems to me that he always found it hard to stay on the sidelines when a situation called for active involvement or argument. Zhenya has an easy-going temperament that thirsts for justice. Zhenya is very honest and is ready to speak up without hesitation when many in his place would keep quiet. Not everyone liked that, and not always. But it seems to me that it was a part of his inner freedom.
— says Nina Khoroshkevich, Evgeny’s wife
Evgeny finished school and a vocational lyceum. Even so, he can hardly be called poorly educated. After the lyceum, Evgeny was drafted into the army. After his compulsory service, Evgeny Khoroshkevich signed a contract to serve in the border troops. He refused to renew it — his assertive character was beginning to show. Because he voiced his dissatisfaction with his superiors’ actions, Evgeny was regularly sent on endless assignments to frontier posts. He would not put up with this and returned to civilian life.
Almost right up to his arrest, Evgeny worked as a driver at the Polatsk Dairy Plant, where his contract was not renewed — possibly because of his beliefs and his leaving the pro-government trade union. After Evgeny became an independent observer in the 2020 elections, obstacles were put in his way far more often than usual.
In his hobbies Zhenya was a boy to the core: video games, computers and everything to do with them. He loved cars, and also airsoft, which we very often went to play. And he really loves cats, which is why we have 2 furry creatures living at home.
— Nina points out
Evgeny Khoroshkevich
Evgeny’s views became politicised gradually. He made the decision to become an observer without long deliberation or hesitation. Evgeny’s family worried about everything that was happening, but accepted his firm choice and supported him. Besides, Evgeny was preparing to become a dad.
The arrest was a hard ordeal for everyone. Instead of thinking about the approaching joy of motherhood, Evgeny’s wife had to think about what to pack for the next parcel and what matters to settle with the lawyer. Over time all this turned into everyday chores, which, as the pregnancy progressed, sometimes weighed heavily on her shoulders.
But I know that I needed it most of all — in all this bustle I was trying to lose myself, to forget about my condition, and it was important to me that Zhenya felt my care and love. During this time Zhenya and I have grown up a lot; each of us has gone through our own path of growing up in different circumstances. I have had to become more decisive and persistent.
— Nina shares
The entire prison system is built to make a person lose their sense of dignity under constant psychological [and not only psychological] pressure. Despite this, Evgeny is going through all these trials with dignity.
On 16 September 2021 Evgeny was sentenced to 4 years’ imprisonment. For the sentencing, Evgeny’s parents brought printed colour photographs of his three-month-old daughter Milana into the courtroom, and he saw her for the first time.
Evgeny was able to see his family in February 2022 during a long visit at the penal colony.
That was the day Zhenya saw his little daughter and held her in his arms for the first time. As short as our meeting was, the separation that followed was just as hard. It took me a long time to recover...
— Evgeny’s wife recalls
Evgeny misses his family terribly. His outgoing calls (sometimes video calls) last 10 minutes. A colony officer is always nearby, so they cannot talk about anything personal — only ask how things are and share the latest everyday news.
Money transfers to the SIZO, applications for parcel acceptance
A year ago, money transfers alone cost 200 Belarusian rubles a month. Otherwise, caring people helped — and that was a lifesaver. Expenses are lower now, as the colony has introduced a monthly limit on the prison shop account (note: a personal account in the SIZO/colony). Working conditions in the colonies are slave-like, so none of the convicts, and especially not political prisoners, can earn anything there. For example, in December 2021 Evgeny received a payslip for 30 kopecks.
Evgeny puts together his regulation parcel himself in the colony. The family buys a voucher at the colony’s online shop, and he chooses the food and items he needs.
The main source of income for Evgeny’s wife is maternity benefit. Sometimes her parents help, sometimes friends and acquaintances. A lot of money goes on medicines, vitamins and food for the baby.
Letters of solidarity are a huge and tangible support for Zhenya. Because mail is blocked everywhere, Zhenya has received practically no letters for 3 months. But I don’t think that is a reason to stop writing. I am doing my utmost to support him on my own. But that is not always enough.
— says his wife Nina
Excerpts from Evgeny’s letters to his family
You can support Evgeny Khoroshkevich by writing letters by post, as well as through Pis’ma Vkletochku and Pismo.bel