Novychas2’s Weblog

 The head of the spiritual body of Belarusian Muslims Ismail Varanovich told the correspondent of «Euroradio» that he was actually defending the editor of Zgoda in court. Mr. Varanovich is speaking about how he was shown the caricature in the Committee on Religious Issues and why the notorious article should be viewed as mere information on what was published in the European press.

-You probably know that Mensk City court has sentenced journalist Zdzvizhkou to three years of imprisonment for an attempt to reprint the caricatures on Prophet Mohammad…

-I was a witness and testified at the process. I tried to mitigate the sentence. Zdzvizhkou thanked me for that — as much as he could…

-Do you believe the sentence is too severe?

-Of course I do! I asked the court for lenience. All the more that he did not make calls to commit any crime. This was a way of informing people about what was published in Danish newspapers. That was how I addressed the issue. I believe that no excesses or public resonance with relation to the caricatures were possible in our society.

-Did Zdzvizhkou apologize to you in court?

-Yes, he did. He also asked the forgiveness of all the Belarusian Muslims for the publication.

-If you were to decide, would you pardon Zdzvizhkou?

-Yes, certainly. It might be that I complicated the situation with the authorities who were conducting the investigation.

-What makes you think so?

-Well, maybe the authorities believed that I would say different things, be on the other side. Probably, I acted contrary to what they expected…

-Do you know the reaction of Belarusian Muslims on the publication?

-They did not even get to know about it. When I was shown it I had to write a letter, to react somehow. I was told about it as a head of the spiritual body of Belarusian Muslims.

-Where did you send the letter?

-To the same body where I was shown the publication — the Committee on Religion and Nationalities Issues.

-Did you express indignation?

-I was forced to do that as it was presented to me in that way.

-Were you not shown the newspaper?

-No, they did show it to me. These were the copies and they gave them to me.

-And were caricatures there? I am asking that because no one seems to have seen this newspaper except for you and a couple more people…

-Well, yes. However, I notified our communities. I warned them not to react if they somehow received the publications. That was only the information about what was published in European newspapers. That is how it I presented it and there was no resentment from the side of our communities.

-The editor of Zgoda newspaper addressed Muslims to save Zdzvizhkou from prison…

-We need to assess the situation. Assess the general atmosphere. Think how that will impact us. We are a minority, we, Muslims, are few in Belarus. That is why we need to be very cautious.

-Can you remember how many Danish journalists were sentenced for publishing the caricatures?

-I give you my word that I do not know that. They demanded capital punishment for the author. I honestly do not know the end of the story. It was so long ago that I cannot recollect it now. As for Zdzvizhkou, when I saw him behind the bars I felt sorry for him. He is so thin and small… I swear I felt sorry for him… If I only could, I would make him go, but that is not in my power. Do you see what I mean?! I did my best to ease his fate.

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