Representative of Belarusian People’s Republic Died

Belarusian People’s Republic was declared by the Belarusian democratic intellectuals in 1918, short before the Bolshevik’s turned the country into a Soviet republic. The Communists did not recognize Belarusian People’s Republic. The BPF government had to escape abroad.

Tsimafei Vostrykau died in Homel on 13 November. He was sent to Belarus in 1952 as an authorized representative of the Belarusian People’s Republic.

Tsimafei Vostrykau turned 84 years on 10 November. According to BelaPAN, he had been ill for a long time, had two apoplectic attacks, couldn’t move and didn’t meet with anybody. Last years Vostrykau had no own apartment, no registration, lived in an apartment with a woman who was looking after him. Three weeks ago he was visited by Belarusian television journalists and KGB agents. They tried to ask the seriously ill man about his life, and made a film about him.

On 27 August 1952 T.Vostrykau, as an authorized BPR’s representative, and three other men were sent to Nalibotskaya Pushcha – for support and development of Belarusian national movement. After a week Vostrykau was arrested by the Soviet secret police. For ‘high treason with weapon’ he was sentenced to 23 years by the Supreme Court. He was serving his punishment in Mordovian camps where he got acquainted with protestant pastor Ernest Sabila, and they remained friends after the release. Sabila visited ill Vostrykau in Homel several times.