Recently, the public learned that the remains of 172 people have been found in a forest near Chajsy, with military honors were reburied at the military memorial in Łośvida station. The authorities assure that people were killed during the Second World War. Comment on the event, we asked the head of the civil initiative "Chajsy" local historian Jan Dzyarzhautsau.
Two years ago, it was Jan Dzyarzhautsau together with like-minded people have found in the woods excavated black diggers graves, which the locals venerated burial places of the victims of Stalinism.
Mr. Jan, burying the remains, the government decided for themselves the question – is a Nazi victim. But to agree with this conclusion of the public, local communities, members of the "Chajsy" initiative?
Agree with this is impossible, since the government's decision contrary to common sense and the facts.
In 2015, soldiers of the 52nd search battalion raised from the pits in the forest remains the Sparrow 172 people. Several times we watched as soldiers carried several bags of bones, clothes and shoes. I wonder why the presence of such a huge amount of material things, the experts have not determined the exact time of the tragedy, although at the site found about fifty bullets and shell casings from a Colt, revolver and Mosin rifle. And, as we know, it is the weapon used NKVD.
Not taken into account the views of archaeologists Nikolay Kryvaltsevich and Valentina Vergey, who worked in Kurapaty and with extensive experience in the identification of such graves.
But, in my opinion, the most important issue in the clarification of historical truth are the testimony of local residents. We interviewed 25 people, and all of them confirmed – in the forest are victims of Stalinist repression. This was evidenced by Dmitry Goncharov, Valentine Shageeva, Tamara Derevyanko, Nikolai Shamshura... By the way, the latter noted that the total area of the graves is about five acres, which he had once commanded the plow.
Evidence of the respondents based on their own observations, memories of parents, relatives and fellow villagers. Do not trust them makes no sense.
Tell me, is there in the community at least some relevance in the restoration of historical truth about the tragic times of Stalinism?
Yes, there is such a demand. Primarily interested in the children and grandchildren of the victims of Stalinism. For example, Valentina Drobysheva (Shpelis) from Łužasna before the war repressed father and shot somewhere in the vicinity of Viciebsk. Find the place of his burial was her cherished hope. Learning about the burials found us, she asked relatives to take land out two buckets and pour on the symbolic grave of his father, which is arranged near the grave of his mother. By the way, an old woman all my life waiting for his return, and before his death requested to bury him next when he returns. I watched the reaction of the niece, grandson and great-grandson of Mrs. Valentina – what he saw impressed them deeply. Some time later, I called Mrs. Valentine, and she said that the grave was landscaped and has a monument.
However, such a demand should be from the progressive community. Otherwise, all may be repeated.
This year you have visited Kurapaty and Katyń. Why is the truth about these tragic places managed to incarnate into a memorial and museum, and the truth about Chajsy silenced and hidden from the general public?
Yes, I was in Katyń, and in Kurapaty. With regard to Katyń, the embodiment of this contributed to a great international resonance. The fact is that, as you know, in addition to Soviet citizens was killed there, and several thousand Polish soldiers. And the truth about Kurapaty was able to win in the wake of the growth of national consciousness of the Belarusians and the struggle for an independent state.
What particularly struck me in Katyń, so it is respect for the memory of the repressed by the research staff and tour guides. For example, a researcher at the museum, which for nearly five hours to conduct tours, told how during the search for the burial place of Polish troops 10 thousand wells have been done. That's impressive.
Tell me, do not you think that the government has long been well known, the victims of the regime belong to the remains found under Chajsy? Please evaluate their actions?
Yes. I have dvuhsotprotsentnoe impression that the authorities had known about it. Therefore, the attitude to the remains appropriate. In April 2015, we found the remains of an unknown person dug about 60 people, and as reported. But where those bones is gone – it is still unknown.
I remember, once head of the search team 19 th School Anatoly Burdo told me about the burial, he reported to the authorities back in the 90s. But he said: "Mind your business, look for the military."
Perfect authorities – natural falsification, forgery, fraud, cynicism, primitive distortion of history. People are misleading, because all and done in secret from the general public, is vile. Buried, as reported in the press, the remains of 172 people, and where those sixty, which we found in April, where those bones and skulls, which were taken for examination?
I have a question: "Do not they realize that once made a mockery of these people? Do not you realize that have put themselves on a par with Stalin geeks and black diggers?"
People killed during the pre-war repression, against the will of the participants made the war.
What measures "Chajsy" initiative should be taken in this regard?
His work, we do not stop. Today in the Viciebsk region known four places of mass executions of the repressed. All of them will be inspected and read. About his actions will be to inform the public through the independent media. We have we, and other plans that I do not want to disclose.
S. Horki
