We printed leaflets on cigarette paper and pasted them

Cybernetics and dissident Larisa Lokhvitskaya talked about the pros and cons of the Kharkov prison, gave advice on how to better listen to forbidden radio, and explained why Ukraine is not an North Korea

I am aware of itself dissident already years 14. Why it happened? I just carefully observe the life. Of course, I did not like the communist ideas, not like the Komsomol. Even then we were people with character, who is not allowed to go order. We appreciate their right to freedom.

As with all intellectual families in my listening to Western radio. It was the main and almost the only source of information – Radio Liberty, Voice of America, BBC, BBC, Deutsche Welle. These radio stations jammed, but we heard them at night, looking for different ways. Sometimes we secure the antenna to the battery, sometimes turning the receiver at a certain angle. I even kept a diary, which was called “Notes of a listener.” Every evening, listened to the radio and writing in a notebook, and then we talked about it with friends.

When I grew up, in the second half of the 70s, organized dissident movement in Ukraine has been actively represented only Helsinki Group.And even then, most of its members were already in prison or were in exile. We had a couple of young people who are either still studying in high schools, or only completed. We were critical of the communist system. Gathered, we talked, read and shared literature – Western publications and samizdat, all that could get. His association we called Kiev Democratic Club. Conducted seminars and discussions. We are discussing politics and general topics. For example, they say that will fill the ideological vacuum left by the time the Soviet society. We are discussing sending troops to Afghanistan, a boycott of the 1980 Olympic Games. Basically, we are going to someone’s home. Just sit and talk somewhere in the cafe when it was almost impossible. Yes, and unsafe.

We were young and hot. We wanted to not only listen to the radio and make calls but also to act. So the idea was born with the leaflets.

January 12 in those years behind the scenes it was considered Day Ukrainian political prisoners. The fact is that on this day in 1972, was arrested at the same time so many dissidents – Chornovil, almost all the Helsinki Group. In January 1981, we decided to celebrate this day. Printed leaflets addressed to the nation, urging them to support the political prisoners. We were four, we printed leaflets on cigarette paper and posted them on the pillars of the advertisement. We did it late at night, and we immediately took the KGB agents. I do not know whether they are behind us for a long time looked after, whether someone has passed.

We have opened a case under article 187 approx. (first sewed hooliganism – Article 206, Part 2..) “dissemination of false fabrications discrediting the Soviet state and social system.” Sentenced to three years.

When we were arrested, we were not very surprised. We knew that this would happen, and I think that the game is worth the candle.

At the trial no one admitted guilt. They defended its position, saying that we are right. I remember that my husband, Leonid Milyavsky (was arrested along with Lokhvitskaya By the same as Inna and Sergei Chernjavskaja Naboka case were arrested.) Said the phrase: “History will judge us in ten years.” And so it happened. History will judge us even earlier.

I sat in the hedgehog 313/54 zone in Kharkiv. This is a common women’s penal colony. Together with me were not political prisoners, and the murderers, thieves, those who were tried for economic crimes. On the one hand, on the living conditions of the sin to complain. Compared with others, we had central heating, but not a stove, water and a toilet in the barracks, and not on the street. But, on the other hand, the area was considered a “red”, there is always carried out political information, organized the initiative. Participation in NGN (crime prevention section – a kind of internal “squad” with stukacheskimi functions) was imposed almost without fail. As a political prisoner, I refused to take part in such things. First, because it had difficulties, but in the end the administration of leave me alone. And prisoners are treated with respect.

We came out in January 1984. Of course, there were difficulties with the work. Me and my podelnitse, however, managed to get in the profession, and the guys who worked as a janitor, who is a painter.

In 1985, Gorbachev came to power and became a little freer , perestroika began. Although, in spite of this, in 1986, in our apartment still raided. And in August 1987, we organized UKK – Ukrainian cultural club. It includes many of the released political prisoners. Then came the Ukrainian Helsinki Union, and I also became a member.

Later the dissidents were divided by different parties and trends , but then, until 1991, the year we were in a jet.

By and large, the dissidents are and will be always. It’s just people who disagree with the current systems or public policy. If you want to dissent – a state of mind. But speaking of the modern Ukraine, I think it is now to organize demonstrations against the authorities – it’s practically means to engage anti-state, anti-Ukrainian activities. We there is a war, and we are just starting to become a normal way of development. We need to unite and support the government to once again do not lose it, as has happened more than once.

If you could rewind time back, I would have gone the same way. Then we did not have enough experience and knowledge, but I believe we behaved absolutely correctly. Always have to go against the system that despises human rights. Can you imagine what it would be now if she left the Soviet system? And I’ll tell you. We would be North Korea with nuclear weapons.

Sourse, 22/09/2016