Alexander Gaponenko from Latvian prison: to give up Russianness means spiritual death

Aleksandrs Gaponenko, a Latvian human rights activist and publicist, has written a letter from prison in which he shares his thoughts on the causes of persecution, resilience to repression, and loyalty to his beliefs. He describes the hardships of prison life, reflects on Russian identity and explains why he is not ready to give up his views, even if it means freedom.

Below is an excerpt from his letter to Dagi Karaev:

- Dagi, thank you for writing the letter and supporting me financially. Small troubles continue, I still haven't received paper, envelopes, stamps, pens from the store, I borrow everything from my cellmates.

As I have already mentioned, I had no ties with the guys from the Antifascist Committee, I did not share their views, I did not participate in activities to harm Latvia.

But you have asked a fair question about why I spoke out, even if not publicly.

I've been thinking about it myself. Because I was born a Russian, brought up in the Russian cultural and linguistic environment, accepted the values of Orthodoxy. To give up all this for me means spiritual death, and it is more terrible than physical death. This is selling your soul to the devil for money, comfort, tranquility, the opportunity to drink Chardonnay and eat oysters.

By virtue of my education and life experience and skills in conducting scientific work, I can assess the current situation with Russians and formulate what needs to be done. One of the few, unfortunately.
For the past 6 years since the last arrest I have managed to write and publish 6 serious scientific books on this topic. The last one came out the other day.

Give it all up? In my 71st year of life. So you can spend the next year or two of your life outside of prison? Someone who's not afraid of prison wouldn't do that. Marat Kasem's path doesn't suit me.
I'll write more about it next time. Thank you for your support!

Alexander Gaponenko.
Riga Central Prison.
25.02.25.