For writing about Poland, he was considered an enemy of the state. "I didn't foresee that I would fall afoul of Russia"

Ihar Melnikau, a Belarusian historian and former political prisoner, discusses the paradox of his work being used by state institutions while being labeled as an enemy of the state. He recounts sharing historical insights with fellow inmates, only to be interrupted by guards. Despite his research being featured in state media, some of his books have been classified as extremist due to their focus on Stalinist repression and the harsh realities of the Belarusian Soviet Republic. This contradiction highlights the challenges faced by historians in authoritarian regimes.